Should I change the dryer power cord or the outlet?
Question:I just moved into a new house and the dryer outlet has 3 prongs. The power cord for my dryer has 4 prongs. I went to Home Depot to get a new power cord and I could only find 4 pronged cords. Why does my outlet only have 3 prongs? And which one needs to be changed?
Answers:
You could change eithier one , but changing the plug involves running a new wire , so you should just change the cord .
Older plugs didnt have a neutral wire before just 2 hots and a ground new outlets are required to have 4 wires but since the plug is already in place you dont have to bring it up to code , you should be able to find a 3 prong they still sell them , check another home store or electrical supply store. You will find that the dryer is setup for a 4 wire so you have to change it back to a 3 wire setup. You will have to have a jumper wire from the the current neutral screw to the green ground screw on the shell of the dryer and then just put the ground from the new cord to the center screw in the dryer , then one hot to each outside screw.
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You probably won`t be able to find 3 pronged power cords. 4 pronged cords seem to be the new industry standard, so you`ll need to get an electrician to put in a new outlet.
Just get an adaptor, you can find them at most RV stores, it will plug into the 3 prong wall socket and allow you to plug your dryer into it.
Things must be different in your part of the world. I've never heard of a power cord with 4 prongs. Is your dryer a local make, or made overseas? Before changing anything I would check with electricity department. and get their advice. It doesn't pay to fool around with electricity. You might set yourself on fire. Take care!
I would assume you have a newer dryer and that 4 prong cord is very important it runs on a higher voltage... if you change the plug your drier wont work properly... you have to get a new line put in as whats in the wall is not going to handle the usage of the drier a professional electrician will run thicker wire that can handle the voltage of the drier...
3-prong are the "older" ones, your outlet is older than the dryer plug, you'll have to install a 4-prong outlet.
Change the cord young lady. The 4th wire will be green. Hook it to anything metal. You will will do a fine job. Good Luck.
WELL FROM WHAT IM SEEING IS?
U MITE NEED TO CHANGED THE OUTLET ON THE WALL FROM A 3 TO A 4..
NEWER HOUSES REQUIERS A 4
Just change the cord, Home Depot, Lowes, etc all sell them, Home Depot sells ones made by GE and some made by commercial electric. 4 prongs is the new industry standard, but the 3 prong are stilled allowed as long as it is existing. Installing a new plug will involve running new wiring etc, and in the end will cost you about 2 times as much, not counting the time and or electrician to do it.
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