Ok... so i bought a used washer and dryer set off of craigslist and it has this kind of electric cord:



but the power outlet is set up for a 3 prong cord like this:



my question is, what is the best way to go about this. I don't want to replace the outlet (i don't like working with electricity), but having removed the rear panel and examining connections, it appears as if there are 4 wire hook ups on the dryer and the 3 prong only comes with 3 cords (see diagram)... so am I stuck having to replace the outlet?

halp me tww!!

[Edited on August 26, 2008 at 10:54 AM. Reason : 4]

8/26/2008 10:50:23 AM

1) go to lowes
2) buy power cord

8/26/2008 10:52:15 AM

^ And make sure you have nut driver

8/26/2008 10:56:16 AM

just cut off the ground and bend the other two prongs to fit







dont really, I would say give Lowes or an electrician a call and let them know whats going on.

8/26/2008 10:57:15 AM

go to lowes and buy the correct plug/cord. it will come with instructions on how to switch em out.

8/26/2008 10:58:06 AM

so the fact that it is set up for 4 wires, and every 3 prong cord i've seen only has 3 is no problem?

and DROD900, feel free to come over and offer your wiring expertise this evening if you'd like - i have a beer for you if you do

8/26/2008 11:00:05 AM

you do know that google was created for this reason.

in a 3 wire there is no seperate ground wire - ground and neutral are one and the same...the ground strap connects the frame to the white neutral. The 4 wire permits a better safety measure...in the event of an electrical problem (ground fault) in the dryer...the fault now has a seperate path to your panel's ground...and less chance of a shock from touching the metal frame of the dryer.



[Edited on August 26, 2008 at 11:12 AM. Reason : i've got my old 3 prong power cord for $10 if you want it.]

8/26/2008 11:03:37 AM

We just did this on Sunday night. Pretty much what everyone else said, go to Lowes, ask them to show you what you need. They'll tell you how to do it, so just follow the instructions. Keep the cord you have now though, because they're almost $20 a piece. You don't want to have to buy another when you move again.

8/26/2008 11:57:43 AM

buy mine for half!

8/26/2008 12:03:50 PM

ok, so i bought the new cord and it isn't labeled (the other one is red, black, neutral and ground)

how do i know which terminal to hook up to what side? i assume it would make a difference but i could be wrong....

8/26/2008 2:46:19 PM

center wire is ground, outside two dont matter which way you connect them

8/26/2008 2:51:42 PM

ok, i was looking it up, and that looks to be the case:

Quote :

"For Three Prong Cords the Center cord wire goes on the center terminal, the left on the left , and the right on the right. Note: There should be a ground strap or wire that runs from the center terminal to the dryer case."

now what do i do about this ground wire that is supposedly there? cause I don't see it...

8/26/2008 2:54:51 PM

ok, i think i've figured out the wiring, and it is gonna look like this :




now my final question is what is this "strain relief" braket for, and is it truly necessary?

8/26/2008 3:01:38 PM

that bracket looks like it is just there to keep from disconnecting the cords when you move the machine around, like it would pull at that bracket instead of the screws/connection.

8/26/2008 3:06:02 PM

well i will put it on, but i don't see how it would do anything to keep from tugging at the terminal

8/26/2008 3:14:40 PM

yeah just stops you from accidentally yanking the shit out of the cord and breaking off the terminal blocks or something like that.. it's really nothing to worry about

8/26/2008 3:15:49 PM

if its tight enough it will pull at the bracket and not at the terminal

shit, I dunno if thats even what it is for, its just a guess

8/26/2008 3:16:01 PM

strain relief is important over time.

8/26/2008 3:59:03 PM

If there is a sharp edge on the hole the strain relief goes in, the strain relief also prevents your dryer from sawing through your power cord.

Your dryer is constantly vibrating.

8/26/2008 6:09:41 PM

buy these things at Sears next time.

Oh wait my employees can't control inventory right (i.e. ring a register properly [problem has been fixed]) and we ran out

8/26/2008 11:33:46 PM

Strain relief is important! You are bending heavy guage wire at that spot, and don't want to cause any sort of short or worse when you shift the dryer.

8/27/2008 12:02:09 AM

I installed washers and dryers all summer long a year or two back.

Goes to Lowes. Buy the Dryer Power Cord that matches the power outlet.

Go home, use a socket wrench or philips screw driver to remove the old wire. Do not drop the screws

Install the new wire. Install the strain relief piece. Other wise, if the dryer is moved to the end of the cord it will be pulling on those contacts and likely fuck up.

Profit.

I could do this in like 5 minutes, actually. I'm a pro, and could even level the bastard correctly

8/27/2008 12:52:21 AM