3 Wire, 4 Wire Code

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Power Tech

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Lebec, California
I have to go back to as house I did a panel change.

I got a correction notice for the dryer. I installed a 3 wire to match the customers dryer.

The inspector called me on it sighting the new 4 wire code.

I do agree with him but I do not.

Now I am in a position to have to rewire the dryer, install a new 4 wire cord and plug.

Do I spend money and time and void the UL on the dryer.

Or tell the customer "too bad, your going to have to buy a new dryer.

Caught in a pickle.
 
Why would you run a new 3 wire circuit when you know it's not code?

Second, why would it void the UL on a dryer to have a new cord with seperated neutrals and grounds for this new 4 wire circuit??
 
Changing out the dryer pigtail will not void any listings on the dryer. They are made to be hooked up either way.
 
C3PO said:
Changing out the dryer pigtail will not void any listings on the dryer. They are made to be hooked up either way.
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I agree you can hook it up three or four wire but I'm confused. You installed a new service and now you have to rewire the dryer branch circuit? Or did you also install a new 3 wire circuit for the dryer?
 
It has not been legal to run a three wire circuit for a dryer since the '96 code change. All new installs must be 4 wire w/ seperated n/g on dryer. Most instances it's a wire you cut on the dryer to seperate for this to be a compliant install. You are 13 years and three and a half code cyclyes too late for this type of install.
 
Here is how a DIY changes a 3-wire dryer plug to a 4-wire. There was a grounding conductor available in the box but they did not see the need to use it. Hopefully the dryer that was plugged in still had the jumper installed. There was no dryer on site when this picture was taken. (BTW ....sorry for the blurry picture.)
 
Power Tech said:
Why wasn't there a recall on the dryer?

Why put it on us?

I'm just matching like for like.

Customers response to me charging more to do this is is probably going to be. My dryer worked where I lived before.
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How did you "match like for like" when the circuit is newly installed?


Dryers come with the bond in place...it is the ECs duty to break that bond and wire correctly on a new install.

I had a similar issue a while back...but was dealing with 100 dryers ~ all "pre-wired" by the appliance store bozos...every one with a 3-wire cord being delivered to a NEW 100 unit condo hi-rise.
 
celtic said:
How did you "match like for like" when the circuit is newly installed?


Dryers come with the bond in place...it is the ECs duty to break that bond and wire correctly on a new install.

I had a similar issue a while back...but was dealing with 100 dryers ~ all "pre-wired" by the appliance store bozos...every one with a 3-wire cord being delivered to a NEW 100 unit condo hi-rise.
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Did you rewire or send them back?
 
celtic said:
...............it is the ECs duty to break that bond and wire correctly on a new install..........
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According to.......?

My responsibility stops at the receptacle. What gets plugged in is of no consequence to me. In 99% of my dryer installs, the appliance supplier does the cord hookup. I only do it on rare occasion.
 
Power Tech said:
Did you rewire or send them back?
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I re-wired 200 appliances :mad: ....100 ranges and 100 dryers.

480sparky said:
According to.......?

My responsibility stops at the receptacle. What gets plugged in is of no consequence to me. In 99% of my dryer installs, the appliance supplier does the cord hookup. I only do it on rare occasion.
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In my scenario, it was our responsibility...we bought them, they wired them wrong..if we installed them "as is" and "something went wrong" we would have been liable.


When I asked that same question you did here on the forum...the result was mixed.

IMHO, if the EC is installing a piece of equipment, it IS his responsibility ~ 110.3(A)(1) et al
 
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