Expert: Master Bob - 9/1/2006

Question
Hello!

I just bought a new house, went to plug in the dryer and saw that it has a range type outlet with three receptacles for straight prongs instead of the third receptacle being L-shaped. I am moderately handy and have run a new circuit in my old house before. Can I just buy an adapter for the outlet or do I have to rewire it for a dryer? And if I rewire it do I have to make the plug from the dryer a 4 prong to be up to code as well as a 4 prong outlet? I don't know how the previous owner used their dryer. Thanks

Answer
Hi Charles,

  Based on your description...it sounds like the former owner may have used a NEMA 10-50R for a receptacle there (commonly used on older stoves and ranges years ago..) instead of the old 10-30R (former 3 prong dryer receptacle). If they used this range style receptacle...they would have also had to have put a range cord on their dryer...which can be done - just not ideal...it's a heavier (and more expensive ) cord then it needs to be. I've seen it done a few times over the years...

 The question then becomes....what did they use for wire..?  Of course, the range receptacle they have there is made for up to 50 amps..and could have 6/3 wiring...although 10/3 with ground and a 30 amp rated receptacle is all that's required for most dryers. With the breaker off...are you able to clearly see what was ran for wire to this receptacle..?

 If it is 10/3 with ground (having a hot black, hot red, white neutral and bare or green ground wire), I highly recommend you install the now Code required 4 prong NEMA 14-30R receptacle.....and a 4 wire dryer cord made to match this receptacle.
  
 NOTE: for more on NEMA Receptacle and Plugs codes and what each looks like , see:

http://www.leviton.com/sections/techsupp/nema.htm

 Using the 4 prong 14-30R and matching 4 wire dryer cord allows you to keep the neutral and ground seperated at the dryer electrical connection section. By seperating the 2 - this adds an extra layer of electrical safety to the dryer that the old 3 wire / 3 prong supplies do not have. (the main reason for the Code change over to the 4 wire requirement for electric dryers and ranges/stove) Keeping the neutral and ground seperated this way helps to avoid the user getting a shock in the event of an electrical problem with the dryer. I HIGHLY recommend this...as does the Code.

 For more on how to connect your dryer to the 4 wire cord...and the necessary changes, see:

http://www.american-appliance.com/service_pages/electric_dryer_cord.htm

But....the choice is yours whether to go with 4 wire/4 prong changes - where this is not a new home (the Code change only applies to homes built after 1-1-2005...)...but this is one of those Code changes I strongly support...it makes your dryer many times safer to use electrically.

 As always - make sure the dryer breaker is confirmed off before beginning ANY work in this area. Under NO circumstances should you ever use any adapters for this dryer circuit...dryers draw substantial power - adapters are NOT recommended.

 Hope this helps Charles....if you need more details or run into any problems making changes - please follow-up...I'll help out all I can.


Best Wishes,

Bob Osgood
Master Electrician / Owner

RKO ELECTRIC

www.rkoelectric.com