Dryer
- Thread starter rjlahr
- Start date
- Status
Horst
Member
- Location
- Valrico, FL
Aren't all dryers now 2 pole 4 wire? We would not pass an inspection unless we ran 4 wire to it (10/3). Am I missing something here?
broadgage
Senior Member
- Location
- London, England
Not quite certain what you mean.
In the USA, a 4 wire dryer connection would normaly be HOT, HOT, NEUTRAL, GROUND. For use on standard 3 wire single phase 120/240 volt service.
A dryer outlet should be installed by a licensed electrician, but anyone can plug the dryer into a suitable existing outlet.
In Europe, most small or domestic dryers are for use on single phase 2 wire service at 220/240 volt. A 3 wire cord would be used with phase or live (normally brown), neutral (normally blue) and earth, green/yellow.
These normally require simply plugging in to a normal domestic outlet, not hardwiring by an electrician.
Larger dryers as used industrialy are often gas heated, and use only single phase electricity. These normaly plug into a standard outlet, though the gas connection and flue/vent would probably need a qaulified gas fitter.
Large electricly heated dryers do exist, normally for 3 phase service.
Some have a 4 wire connection, 3 phases and earth.
Others have a 5 wire connection, 3 phases, earth, and also neutral.
These normally require an electrician to install.
It would be possible to make a dryer that used 2 phases of a 3 phase supply, but I have never seen one.
In the USA, a 4 wire dryer connection would normaly be HOT, HOT, NEUTRAL, GROUND. For use on standard 3 wire single phase 120/240 volt service.
A dryer outlet should be installed by a licensed electrician, but anyone can plug the dryer into a suitable existing outlet.
In Europe, most small or domestic dryers are for use on single phase 2 wire service at 220/240 volt. A 3 wire cord would be used with phase or live (normally brown), neutral (normally blue) and earth, green/yellow.
These normally require simply plugging in to a normal domestic outlet, not hardwiring by an electrician.
Larger dryers as used industrialy are often gas heated, and use only single phase electricity. These normaly plug into a standard outlet, though the gas connection and flue/vent would probably need a qaulified gas fitter.
Large electricly heated dryers do exist, normally for 3 phase service.
Some have a 4 wire connection, 3 phases and earth.
Others have a 5 wire connection, 3 phases, earth, and also neutral.
These normally require an electrician to install.
It would be possible to make a dryer that used 2 phases of a 3 phase supply, but I have never seen one.
Horst
Member
- Location
- Valrico, FL
Oh, your in Monrovia - never mind... Assuming Liberia... Hope you never adopt the National Electric Code, then you will also be at the mercy of every manufaturer that gets their latest money making idea crammed into the code.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Perhaps the op is use to Gas dryers. In NYC, back when I work there lightyears ago, I had never seen an electric dryer or range. Almost unheard of because of the cost of electricity.
masterinbama
Senior Member
- Location
- Huntsville Alabama
My 2 pole 4 wire dryer looks like this.
http://www.patchworktimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/cl1.jpg
http://www.patchworktimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/cl1.jpg
PetrosA
Senior Member
- Location
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Last edited:
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Only looks like 2 wire or 3 wire to me
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Usually, 'poles' refers to CCC's but not the EGC, so a 2-pole grounding plug would have three prongs.
If it has four wires, but only two 'poles', what is the "third" wire?
masterinbama
Senior Member
- Location
- Huntsville Alabama
I'm only using 3 wires, the fourth is a "spare"
- Status