Dryer Receptacle

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ckub

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As I understand, a dryer receptacle is now required to be a 4 wire outlet (2 phase conductors, 1 neutral 1 ground). Can someone tell me where in the code (NEC 2005) this is stated? I cannot find it, and have been asked by a customer to verify this is a code requirement. I would like to be able to point out the article where it is stated. Thanks in advance.
 
ckub said:
As I understand, a dryer receptacle is now required to be a 4 wire outlet (2 phase conductors, 1 neutral 1 ground). Can someone tell me where in the code (NEC 2005) this is stated? I cannot find it, and have been asked by a customer to verify this is a code requirement. I would like to be able to point out the article where it is stated. Thanks in advance.
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For what it's worth, this was a new requirement in the 1996 NEC.
 
ckub said:
... have been asked by a customer to verify this is a code requirement..... .
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There will also be a HUGE orange sticker right on the back of unit [and electric stoves as well] with this same information:

250.140....1996...etc
 
celtic said:
There will also be a HUGE orange sticker right on the back of unit [and electric stoves as well] with this same information:

250.140....1996...etc
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its funny you mention that;

i did a kitchen renovation last week and installed a new 4-wire cooktop. the sticker showed two diagrams; one for a 3-wire circuit and another for a 4-wire. it said if there was an existing 3-wire circuit, connect the green and white wires together at the junction box. i don't normally read those but that's the first time i can remember seeing one that said to bond the neutral and ground at the j-box. i didn't see any code sections cited either. i don't remember the brand, but it was a pretty fancy cooktop. most i install are only 3-wire, but this one had all types of fancy electronic controls w/ lcd readouts for each burner. also had rapid cooling fans that activate when you turn it off.
 
brantmacga said:
i did a kitchen renovation last week and installed a new 4-wire cooktop. the sticker showed two diagrams; one for a 3-wire circuit and another for a 4-wire. it said if there was an existing 3-wire circuit, connect the green and white wires together at the junction box. i don't normally read those but that's the first time i can remember seeing one that said to bond the neutral and ground at the j-box.
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I've seen most new hard-wired apliances with a whip that has the white and bare/green conductors crimped together, to be separated for a 4-wire install.

The bottom line is that the appliance should be wired, and/or cord/receptacle installed in whichever way is compatible with the existing branch circuit.
 
LarryFine said:
I've seen most new hard-wired apliances with a whip that has the white and bare/green conductors crimped together, to be separated for a 4-wire install.
.
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Just over the last month or so I noticed the white and green/bare are not connected together anymore on the appliances.
 
If there is 3 wires plus a ground in the wall you should use it even if the old way was to bond the N and G together.
Just a tought
 
I had a question from a potential customer regarding this exact thing. If you have a four prong cord do you change the cord to three prong or the outlet to four prong? I remember doing stuff like that per code but seems to me with newer electronics etc you would not want the non-current carrying conductor energized. Plus I figure you would have stray voltage etc on metallic objects similar to bonding the neutral and ground at a sub-panel (stray voltage) etc. Can anyone let me know their thoughts on that?
 
fidelity electric said:
I had a question from a potential customer regarding this exact thing. If you have a four prong cord do you change the cord to three prong or the outlet to four prong? I remember doing stuff like that per code but seems to me with newer electronics etc you would not want the non-current carrying conductor energized. Plus I figure you would have stray voltage etc on metallic objects similar to bonding the neutral and ground at a sub-panel (stray voltage) etc. Can anyone let me know their thoughts on that?
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If you have an existing 3-wire outlet that was compliant at the time of installation, you are not required to upgrade it. Of course, you can certainly upsell an upgrade to a 4-wire outlet if there is a separate ground wire in the box (many times there is not.) If you have a 3-wire outlet existing, you can change the cord on the appliance to a 3-wire.
 
fidelity electric said:
I had a question from a potential customer regarding this exact thing. If you have a four prong cord do you change the cord to three prong or the outlet to four prong? I remember doing stuff like that per code but seems to me with newer electronics etc you would not want the non-current carrying conductor energized. Plus I figure you would have stray voltage etc on metallic objects similar to bonding the neutral and ground at a sub-panel (stray voltage) etc. Can anyone let me know their thoughts on that?
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3-wire receptacle: There is no mandate to upgrade
4-wire plug: You may void a warranty if you downgrade

Your user manual or a sticker on the appliance will tell which configurations are acceptable.
Many appliance now sell the cord separately so that you can select the cord appropriate to your house wiring.
 
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