Do New Electric Dryers Require an Electric Connection?
Both old and new electric clothes dryers require an electric connection to operate. Electricity is what powers a dryer, allowing its drum to spin and produce heat to dry clothes. Use only a power cord that can handle the 240 volts of electricity required of your dryer to transfer electricity from a grounded electrical outlet in your home to the dryer. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Grounded Electrical Outlet
-
Only plug an electric clothes dryer's power cord into a grounded electrical outlet -- one that also satisfies local codes and ordinances. In the event that a power surge occurs, a grounded outlet will divert an electrical current away from the dryer and reduce the threat of electrical shock. If your dryer is plugged into an outlet that hasn't been grounded, a power surge can short circuit it and render it useless.
Power Cord Types
-
You can use either a three- or four-prong power cord to deliver electricity from a wall outlet to your clothes dryer. However, most appliance manufacturers and salespersons will likely suggest that you upgrade to a four-prong cord. New electrical safety standards, instated in the past 10 years, recommend using four-prong power cords to operate 240 volt appliances that include dryers. These newer cords have a fourth grounding conductor that serves as an additional protection against electrical shock.
-
The Right Outlet for the Right Cord
-
Changing to a four-prong cord also might mean modernizing your electrical outlet to accommodate it. You can't plug a four-prong cord into an outlet's terminal strip that only has three post openings for conductors. It just won't work. Although you might be tempted to just avoid the added hassle and instead use a three-prong cord, know that refiguring your electrical outlet isn't an especially difficult task. You simply need to switch out the outlet's three-post terminal strip that connects the wires to the conductors with a four-post strip. If you're uncomfortable doing electrical work, contact a certified electrician to do the upgrade for you. However, never downgrade a four-post terminal strip to a three-prong strip so you can use an old three-prong power cord. This type of change might violate local ordinances and codes.
Considerations
-
Never connect your clothes dryer to an electrical outlet with an extension cord. Most extension cords can't supply the high electric voltage that dryers need to run and consequently their use can short circuit not only the receptacle but also the dryer. Review the dryer's user guide for confirmation of which power cord to use for your specific dryer model. Don't deviate from these recommendations to avoid damaging your dryer and personal injury.
-
References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
