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About Bob Sponaugle
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Just about any home wiring question. (not appliance repair) I have done all kinds of home wiring for myself, including adding a new breaker box, etc. Please, questions from North America only. Please be specific with details.

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Electrical Wiring in the Home > ground wire to cold water spigot

Electrical Wiring in the Home - ground wire to cold water spigot

Expert: Bob Sponaugle - 7/3/2009

Question
I had a leaking hot water hose to my washer so I pulled it out to change the hoses. I found a wire around the cold water spigot probably to the washer from what I have read. My house was built in the 70's and the washer plug is 3 prong as well as the dryer. Also in the back of the dryer at the top is a metal panel with 3 holes that I can see a folded up paper (no opening to get to it. I have to take the panel off).
1. Where do I connect the ground wire from the cold h20 to where on the washer? Am I correct that it would be the washer not the dryer? I want to put it back the way it was 2. Is the 3 prong plug not really grounded even if it has 3 prongs? 3. Does the paper in the back of my dryer hold secrets I should know?

Answer
Hi.

The appliances don't need to be grounded to the water pipe if the house was built in the 1970's, and everything was wired correctly. The washer should be grounded through the third prong.

The dryer should be grounded through the neutral. This is not allowed any more, but was allowed back then. In the dryer, there should be a jumper between the chasis of the dryer and the neutral wire where the plug cord connects.

So, I would not reconnect the wire. But you might want to double check the appliances, if you are really concerned.

I hope this helps.

Bob

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