Dryer New installation 4 wires or 3 wires

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gilamor

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Dryer New installation 4 wires or 3 wires

Almost every new dryer comes with 3 prongs (NEMA 10-30P). I asked several inspectors in Los Angeles if I have to change it to 4 prong (NEMA 14-30P). The answer vary from inspector to inspector some say that for new installation I have to install the 4 prong, other say that it should be determine by the manufacture. All of them presumably relay on the code. An electrician friend of mine, 40 years in the business, worked on an apartment building with 30 units. He installs 3 wires for all driers and had to change all installation to 4 wires after inspection.

I also come across this article on the web

“If this is a new dryer...by 2005 Code it must have a 4 wire 4 prong NEMA 14-30P plug on the cord. In new homes built after Jan 2005 ...this is a mandatory Code requirement. Most dryer manufacturers intentionally leave the cord and plug off the new dryer..so they wouldn't have to deal with the Codes changes a few years ago....and the consumer would then be responsible for the dryer cord and plug. They are still required to have a section in the owner's manual stating the Code changes.”
But what about a new installation in an old house were the customers bought a drier with a 3 prongs.

Any comments’ will be greatly appreciated

Dan
Amor electric
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For almost 10 yrs here dryers have to be 4 wire get with the program. Yes I have still seen palates of 3wire receptacles at home depot probably 4 or 5 years ago being pushed out on sale. It is a better job all around to do a 4 wire dryer. Get used to it it is the norm now. charge accordingly.
 
I thinks it' been rule for many years if the dryer is fed from the service panel directly then 3 prongs. If fed from sub panel as I assume your buddy with the apartment has.
as for the new code changes that make no exeption I don't think that applies to LA yet.
 
Not sure what code cycle you are under, but in the NEC 2005 Article 250.140 only alows the 3 wire in EXISTING INSTALLATIONS, new installs have to have the 4 wire.

You really are not allowed to use the neutral (grounded conductor) on the load side of the service panel as the egc (equipment grounding conductor) 2005 NEC 250.142. This is a very dangerous and creates a parrallel path of current back to the source is not good.
 
Home depot sale the 3 and 4 prong I am at home depot almost every day. All the dryers sale by sears are 3 prongs so why are they sealing dryers that are not to code. I called inspector gold in Los Angeles 866-4LA-CITY yesterday and he said that it is up to the manufacture spec
 
Well your inspector is wrong. The only place you can use a three prong is at the main service, unless there is no nuetral within the unit.
 
I have bought a couple of dryers in the past few years and they don't come with cords. The cord has to be purchased seperately and in the dryer installation manual it tells you how to wire your 3 or 4 wire cord depending on the type of outlet you are going to plug it into. i am pretty sure that here in atlanta you would not pass an inspection for new construction or remodel with a three wire outlet.
 
NEC 2002 used in california
Nothing about 3 prong 4 prong see below

50.140 Frames of Ranges and Clothes Dryers.
This section shall apply to existing branch-circuit installations only. New branch-circuit installations shall comply with 250.134 and 250.138. Frames of electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, clothes dryers, and outlet or junction boxes that are part of the circuit for these appliances shall be grounded in the manner specified by 250.134 or 250.138; or, except for mobile homes and recreational vehicles, shall be permitted to be grounded to the grounded circuit conductor if all the following conditions are met.
(1) The supply circuit is 120/240-volt, single-phase, 3-wire; or 208Y/120-volt derived from a 3-phase, 4-wire, wye-connected system.
(2) The grounded conductor is not smaller than 10 AWG copper or 8 AWG aluminum.
(3) The grounded conductor is insulated, or the grounded conductor is uninsulated and part of a Type SE service-entrance cable and the branch circuit originates at the service equipment.
(4) Grounding contacts of receptacles furnished as part of the equipment are bonded to the equipment.
 
gilamor said:
NEC 2002 used in california
Nothing about 3 prong 4 prong see below

50.140 Frames of Ranges and Clothes Dryers.
This section shall apply to existing branch-circuit installations only. New branch-circuit installations shall comply with 250.134 and 250.138. Frames of electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, clothes dryers, and outlet or junction boxes that are part of the circuit for these appliances shall be grounded in the manner specified by 250.134 or 250.138; or, except for mobile homes and recreational vehicles, shall be permitted to be grounded to the grounded circuit conductor if all the following conditions are met.
(1) The supply circuit is 120/240-volt, single-phase, 3-wire; or 208Y/120-volt derived from a 3-phase, 4-wire, wye-connected system.
(2) The grounded conductor is not smaller than 10 AWG copper or 8 AWG aluminum.
(3) The grounded conductor is insulated, or the grounded conductor is uninsulated and part of a Type SE service-entrance cable and the branch circuit originates at the service equipment.
(4) Grounding contacts of receptacles furnished as part of the equipment are bonded to the equipment.
Click to expand...


gilamor, Im beginning to wonder do you really understand what is meant by "3 prong" or "4 prong" when dealing with dryers installs, and are you qualified to do this installation?? please dont take offense, But most electricians know when we say a 3 prong (or 3 wire) in reference to a dryer in residential they know that there are 2 hots and 1 neutral (grounded conductor). In a 4 prong (4 wire) its 2 hots 1 neutral and a ground(green/bare egc conductor).

Those articles i gave you concerning this install clearly spells out how its suppose to be installed in new construction. Even though the phrase "3 prong, or 4 prong" does not show up in this code its just a phrase that is used in a field.

I suggest you get someone who is more familar with residential wiring and maybe get a 'NEC handbook' that will show pictures of what im talking about.
 
brother said:
Never heard of the NEC 2003, but the 2002 NEC has this requirement in it as well. Same number article NEC 2002 250.140 ;)
Click to expand...

The change to no longer allow the neutral to be used as the EGC for ranges and dryers was in the 1996 NEC.
 
Sierrasparky said:
Well your inspector is wrong. The only place you can use a three prong is at the main service, unless there is no nuetral within the unit.
Click to expand...
Code reference please? I think you may be misinterpreting the code, if you are referring to 250.140.
 
My interpretation of the code is that you can buy a new dryer that comes with a 3-prong cord, and plug it into an existing 3-prong outlet, and the code has nothing to say about this installation. My reasoning is that the code is talking about the branch circuit, not the equipment. If an existing branch circuit has an existing 3-prong outlet, then buying a new dryer does not involve a change to the premises wiring system. The NEC is not a player in the purchase and installation of the new dryer. To be sure, the installer must follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer, and those instructions ought to include what to do for an install in which the existing outlet is 3-prong. But you don't need to call an electrician to re-wire the dryer cord, and you don't need to call an electrical inspector to approve the installation.
 
The change first appeared in the 1996 NEC as 250-60, dryers & ranges are not provided w/ a pigtail so IMO would be up to the installer to provide the correct one.
 
oop's I was reffering to existing installations. I have not come across anyone using that in NEW const.
Ya never know.
2002 or 2003 I always seem to get confused in CA. The code is say 2002 the state adopts several years later. We won't be on the 2005 till end of the year
 
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curt swartz said:
Sierra,

California has been on the 2005 NEC since 1/1/2008.
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I could be wrong but it is my understanding that the 2005 code is due to be adopted this fall. Maybe your town has already.but as far a I know CA has yet to adopt it. I was told it's by my local bldg dept.
 
I stand corrected. CA published a 2007 building code. incorporated 2005 nec.. Most cites use this new code. I had been told last year that we were not going to adopt it... I guess they gave in.
 
gilamor said:
Home depot sale the 3 and 4 prong I am at home depot almost every day. All the dryers sale by sears are 3 prongs so why are they sealing dryers that are not to code. I called inspector gold in Los Angeles 866-4LA-CITY yesterday and he said that it is up to the manufacture spec
Click to expand...

They still sell the three prong for a home owner that has a broke one and needs a new one.
If their are only three wires in the circuit.
 
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