4-wire Dryer question

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

olly

Senior Member
Location
Berthoud, Colorado
Occupation
Master Electrician
The existing dryer has a 3 wire set up. I am trying to wire it 4 wire, and I am not sure why this white factory wire is landed on the grounding terminal. What do I do with the existing white wire? Do I move it to the neutral termination point since I am bringing a 4 wire / ground wire?
1682127732857.png
 
olly said:
The existing dryer has a 3 wire set up. I am trying to wire it 4 wire, and I am not sure why this white factory wire is landed on the grounding terminal. What do I do with the existing white wire? Do I move it to the neutral termination point since I am bringing a 4 wire / ground wire?
View attachment 2564950
Click to expand...
The white wire is a bonding connection to the frame of the dryer and is connected to the grounded conductor. This set up is okay if the existing Dryer receptacle is 3 wire. If you are installing a 4 wire Receptacle and plug.…you remove the white jumper that goes to the green screw. With the new four wire you attach the equipment grounding conductor to the green screw. I believe that in the 1986 code is when the three wire method was no longer allowed unless it is an existing installation. This is why dryers and ranges typically do not come with a cord attached to the appliance already!
 
Correct. The white wire is there to bond the cabinet to the neutral in 3-wire installations.

It's stored on the neutral terminal in 4-wire installs to keep it from touching anything else.
 
Last edited:
olly said:
The existing dryer has a 3 wire set up. I am trying to wire it 4 wire, and I am not sure why this white factory wire is landed on the grounding terminal. What do I do with the existing white wire? Do I move it to the neutral termination point since I am bringing a 4 wire / ground wire?
Click to expand...

You do realize that you will throw away the 3 wire cord and replace it with a 4 wire dryer cord? It will be evident then what to do with the ground. Ground from the new cord goes to the green ground screw. Remove the white jumper and store it on the neutral screw on the terminal block where you also put the neutral from the line cord. Or just cut the lug off the white wire after you remove it from the ground screw and cap it off with tape or a wire nut.

-Hal
 
LarryFine said:
Correct. The white wire is there to bond the cabinet to the neutral in 3-wire installations.

It's stored on the neutral terminal in 4-wire installs to keep it from touching anything else.
Click to expand...
Yes, and 90% of appliance installers will leave it connected to the frame on a 4-wire install!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top