3 wire plug on a newer dryer.

[cam2s]

So I recently purchased and moved into a house (yay!), and was able to bring my Maytag Maximas out of storage. However I notice that this is an older home with a 3 wire plug. The dryer being fairly new I’m sure is designed for a 4 wire plug. Will I be able to use this dryer and are there any special instructions to wire it for a 3 wire plug? The dryer is a Maytag Maxima XL 7000 series btw.

 

[appnut]

Yes, when my Maytag Depenable Care Dry, the 1986 LK, and the new LG dryer all ha to have a similar plug. Look in the installation instructions an you should see how to change the wires going to the terminal for this arrangement. My installers knew what to do.

Congratulations on the house. What year was it built?

 

[combo52]

Three wire 240 V dryer cord

Your dryer is designed for either three or four wire cords, just be sure to get the center wire on the center terminal the other two don’t matter they can be reversed if it happens that way.

There may be a label on the back of the dryer that shows a three and four wire hook ups and instructions surely will if you look at those that came with the dryer or just go online and look at Whirlpools installation instructions.

John

 

[bradfordwhite]

You will of course need to turn off the power and change out the 3 wire outlet into the new code compliant 4 wire plug.... or hire an electrician to do it.

The 4 wire cord is pretty easy to install on the dryer. Simply need to attach the green wire to the cabinet screw and install the cord.

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[combo52]

There is no code requirement to change to a four wire outlet

And there may only be three wires running to your existing outlet, which would require you to run a whole new 10 gauge or larger service wire to where the dryer is.

There is no real advantage to a four wire outlet a properly installed three wire cord is all you need,

John

 

[bradfordwhite]

Yet... AGAIN John?

https://www.upstateelectric.com/technical_articles.php?article=84

 

[DADoES]

 
My house built in 2004 has a 3-prong dryer power receptacle in the laundry room.  The extra outlet in the garage is also 3-prong.  I've worked on a dryer brought in that has a 4-prong cord.  Simple matter to temporarily change the cord for testing the repair, then change it back when done.  The dryer doesn't care.

 

[combo52]

Yet again, idiot

I know national electric code requires a four wire outlet for new installations, it does not require you to put a four wire outlet in an existing house.

Read what you AI out there. Before making comments.

John

 

[mattl]

Electrically the 4th ground wire is the same potential as the neutral as they are connected to the same point in the electrical panel. It's there as a safety feature only, stoves and dryers will work fine and safely on a 3 wire circuit.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Here’s my 240v 3-prong dryer outlet which will be suitable for electric cooking appliances as well…

Years ago my late-mother needed to get her’s replaced for her newer dryer but I believe she could use the same outlet for her new electric stove…

— Dave

 

[bradfordwhite]

Dave

dryers are 30 amp double pole and regardless of the 3 or 4 prong plug have one blade that is "L" shaped.

Free standing Stoves (with oven(s) and cook top) are typically 50 amp double pole and regardless of the 3 or 4 prong plug do not have an "L" shaped blade.

This 4 prong plug is also the same plug used on electric car chargers and RVs/mobile homes with a 50 amp service and flexible cord.

I have seen several homes where people have got these plugs mixed up and it causes all kinds of confusion for the home owner.

 

[bradfordwhite]

50 amp Electric car charger plug

And just to throw a bit of possible confusion in there...

The RV industry (campers/motorhomes/etc) ALSO has a 30 amp/50 amp situation going on.

Yes, its models that have a 50 Amp plug uses the same stove plug/car charger plug one can find in their houses.

They also have a 30 amp variant however it's a 30 amp SINGLE pole plug that does look very similar to an old style 3 prong dryer plug but there is no "L" shaped blade and the blades are shorter and thinner than a dryer plug.

Heaven forbid one should accidently install a 30 amp RV plug onto 30 amp dryer plug wiring. And yes, I've seen this in older camp grounds.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Whoops I forgot a PICTURE of that actual outlet in my post! —sorry, here it is:

— Dave

 

[bradfordwhite]

Dave, looking at this outlet and comparing it to the chart above.
What kind of outlet is it?

Another good bit of info is to check your circuit box and find out what is it wired for? What size is the breaker or fuses?

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Not sure really, but definitely before dryers and ranges lost their sheer bulkiness as I’m certain this outlet uses a heavy plug and pigtail…

It was hard to photograph without my shadow hovering over and around and getting excessively in that picture!

— Dave

 

[Chetlaham]

Receptacle in Reply 14

Is a NEMA 10-50.

 

 

Commonly on either a 40 or 50 amp breaker.

 

Provides 120/240 volts.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Thank you—if I don’t happen to get an electric dryer to plug into it for use as a second dryer, maybe an electric range could go into it for auxiliary cooking…

— Dave