Replacing 3 wire 220 receptacle with 4 wire
- Thread starter marybeth
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davedottcom
Senior Member
Re: Replacing 3 wire 220 receptacle with 4 wire
You would need to replace the old 2-wire cable with a new 3-wire cable w/ground.
Why is the "Upgrade" necessary?
Dave
You would need to replace the old 2-wire cable with a new 3-wire cable w/ground.
Why is the "Upgrade" necessary?
Dave
davedottcom
Senior Member
Re: Replacing 3 wire 220 receptacle with 4 wire
Mary, just change the cord! Much easier!
Dave
Mary, just change the cord! Much easier!
Dave
jeff43222
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: Replacing 3 wire 220 receptacle with 4 wire
Although you could change the 4-prong cord to a 3-prong one, it would be better and safer to install a new 4-prong receptacle (with its own ground wire) to accommodate the cord. I'm not sure about the legality of changing the cord; my code book is out in the truck.
As for tying into the ground wire of the 20A circuit, I suspect that's not legal. The whole idea of an electrical circuit is that it's a closed loop. That is, a circuit is designed for the devices on it. Tapping into some other circuit's ground defeats the whole idea of a circuit and turns your installation into more of a web. The problem with a web is that you really don't know what loads are on a given conductor, greatly increasing the likelihood of overload.
[ April 20, 2005, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]
Although you could change the 4-prong cord to a 3-prong one, it would be better and safer to install a new 4-prong receptacle (with its own ground wire) to accommodate the cord. I'm not sure about the legality of changing the cord; my code book is out in the truck.
As for tying into the ground wire of the 20A circuit, I suspect that's not legal. The whole idea of an electrical circuit is that it's a closed loop. That is, a circuit is designed for the devices on it. Tapping into some other circuit's ground defeats the whole idea of a circuit and turns your installation into more of a web. The problem with a web is that you really don't know what loads are on a given conductor, greatly increasing the likelihood of overload.
[ April 20, 2005, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: jeff43222 ]
davedottcom
Senior Member
Re: Replacing 3 wire 220 receptacle with 4 wire
Jeff, all dryers I have seen are adaptable to either a 3 or 4 wire cord. The NEC changed it's requirements for seperate ground & nuetrals in 1996. However the NEC does not require an existing circuit to be upgraded just because someone bought a new dryer after 1996. Both style cords are still sold and come with instructions as to how to connect them correctly on a new or old dryer. The difference being the need for the bonding strap or the need to remove it to comply to NEC requirments.
Nothing cheesy about it!
Dave
Edited to say "All dryers I Have seen"!
[ April 21, 2005, 02:14 AM: Message edited by: davedottcom ]
Jeff, all dryers I have seen are adaptable to either a 3 or 4 wire cord. The NEC changed it's requirements for seperate ground & nuetrals in 1996. However the NEC does not require an existing circuit to be upgraded just because someone bought a new dryer after 1996. Both style cords are still sold and come with instructions as to how to connect them correctly on a new or old dryer. The difference being the need for the bonding strap or the need to remove it to comply to NEC requirments.
Nothing cheesy about it!
Dave
Edited to say "All dryers I Have seen"!
[ April 21, 2005, 02:14 AM: Message edited by: davedottcom ]
paul
Senior Member
- Location
- Snohomish, WA
Re: Replacing 3 wire 220 receptacle with 4 wire
Marybeth,
Just buy a three prong cord or use the one off of your old dryer. Make sure that you connect the ground strap to the neutral connection where the dryer pigtail terminates (that would be the silver screw in most applications). The directions that come with the new dryer should spell this out somewhat clearly. If you don't have the old dryer cord, then go to Home Depot, Lowe's or the local hardware store. They'll have them. BTW, your dryer is just as safe with a 3-wire as it would be with a 4-wire.
Goodluck
Marybeth,
Just buy a three prong cord or use the one off of your old dryer. Make sure that you connect the ground strap to the neutral connection where the dryer pigtail terminates (that would be the silver screw in most applications). The directions that come with the new dryer should spell this out somewhat clearly. If you don't have the old dryer cord, then go to Home Depot, Lowe's or the local hardware store. They'll have them. BTW, your dryer is just as safe with a 3-wire as it would be with a 4-wire.
Goodluck
curt swartz
Electrical Contractor - San Jose, CA
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: Replacing 3 wire 220 receptacle with 4 wire
I have run across several dryers that have factory installed 4-wire cords. If this dryer came with a factory installed cord and does not include instructions for changing the cord it should not be changed. If the manufacture does not intend for this cord to be changed I?m sure they don?t provide the bonding jumper necessary when using a 3-wire cord.
I have run across several dryers that have factory installed 4-wire cords. If this dryer came with a factory installed cord and does not include instructions for changing the cord it should not be changed. If the manufacture does not intend for this cord to be changed I?m sure they don?t provide the bonding jumper necessary when using a 3-wire cord.
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