Connect the white wire to the silver terminal and the green wire to the green terminal. Once the wires are connected, secure the pigtail to the dryer by feeding it through the built-in wire clamp and tightening the clamp. Fit the panel cover back onto the machine. The wire must be routed through the notch provided for that purpose.
Full Answer
How do I connect the pigtail wires to my dryer?
The pigtail wires have ring lugs, and you simply attach these to the appropriate terminals in the dryer. Locate the electrical terminal panel on the back of the dryer. It's usually near the floor. Unscrew the panel cover with a Philips screwdriver and remove it.
How do you connect a 4 prong plug to a dryer?
Connect the New 4-Prong Cord Electric Dryer 4-Prong Cord Connections. Install the new 4-prong cord by inserting the loose-wire end through the hole in the dryer's back panel and making the following connections: Connect the green cord wire to the ground screw. Connect the white cord wire to the center neutral terminal.
What wire do you connect to a dryer cord?
If your dryer has a pre-attached white wire, both wires will be connected the neutral terminal. Connect the black cord wire to either the left or right terminal, next to the center neutral. The hot terminals are interchangeable; each can connect to the black or the red wire, but only one wire goes on each terminal.
How do you wire a dryer to the ground?
1 Attach the white wire to the center neutral terminal. 2 Connect the red wire to the right hot terminal 3 Attach the black wire to the left hot terminal. 4 Attach the green wire to the green grounding screw or dryer case. 5 Remove the masking tape labels. More ...
How to connect a pigtail to a dryer?
What color are the terminals on a dryer?
Do you need a plug for an electric dryer?
Do all dryers come with pigtails?
Can you hardwire a dryer?
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How do you attach a pigtail to a dryer?
0:291:20How to install a 3 wire power cord to your dryer. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInsert the cord strain relief. One side up one side down then screw the strain relief togetherMoreInsert the cord strain relief. One side up one side down then screw the strain relief together leaving a gap for the cord to pass through insert. The cord. Through the strain relief.
How do you hook up the wires on a dryer?
InstructionsExpose the Wire Connection Block. Locate the electrical cover plate on the back of the dryer. ... Install the Cord. Insert the dryer cord into the hole near the terminal block. ... Connect the Cord Wires. ... Secure the Cord. ... Reattach the Cover Plate.
How do you replace a dryer power cord?
1:233:07How to Change a Dryer Cord | The Home Depot - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor a four prong cord you'll also want to remove the green screw that connects the ground wire. ThenMoreFor a four prong cord you'll also want to remove the green screw that connects the ground wire. Then pull the old cord through the access hole and bracket.
How do you hook up a 4 prong plug to a dryer?
InstructionsInstall a Receptacle Box and Run the Cable. ... Make the Ground Wire Connection at the Outlet. ... Connect the White Neutral Wire at the Outlet. ... Connect the Two Hot Wires. ... Secure the Outlet. ... Prepare to Install the Circuit Breaker. ... Connect the Ground Wire. ... Connect the Neutral Wire.More items...•
What color wire goes where on a dryer?
Black is L1 or line one. White is neutral. And red is L2 or line two. The center wire on the three-wire cord is neutral and will always be installed in the center of the terminal block.
What happens if you hook a dryer cord up backwards?
To clarify, there is really no such thing as them being backwards. Red/black, black/red, X/Y, black/black; it's all the same thing.
How do I change a 3 prong dryer cord?
InstructionsRemove Coverplate for Electrical Connections. ... Remove the Strain-Relief Fitting. ... Disconnect the Old Cord. ... Separate the Dryer's Neutral From the Ground. ... Connect the New 4-Prong Cord. ... Attach the Strain-Relief Fitting to the New Cord. ... Reinstall the Dryer's Electrical Cover Plate.
Are all dryer power cords the same?
Almost all manufacturers sell dryers without a cord attached, allowing you to select 3-prong vs. 4-prong dryer cord to match your outlet. Be sure to check which type you will need before purchasing your appliance and power cord.
Are all dryer plugs the same?
But there are two different outlet styles and plug-in cord styles used for these 240-volt electric dryers. Some have three slots, designed to accept appliance cords with three prongs, while other outlets have four slots, designed to accept four-prong cords.
What happens if dryer is not grounded?
For example, your hot wire could cause your dryer to become live, causing electrocution or shock to anyone who touches it. The 4-prong cords contain two hot wires, a neutral, and a ground wire. This provides a safe path for any current traveling to the machine to be re-routed and avoiding danger.
How do you hook up a 4 prong dryer cord to a 3 prong outlet?
InstructionsShut Off the Power. ... Remove the Dryer's Electrical Connection Cover. ... Detach the Electrical Cord. ... Jumper the Neutral to the Ground. ... Connect the Three-Prong Cord. ... Install the New Strain-Relief Clamp. ... Plug in the Dryer.
Can you plug a 3 prong dryer into a 4 prong outlet?
Answer: You don't. It is not possible to install a four prong outlet using only three wires either legally or safely. Put the three prong outlet back and install a new three-prong cord on the dryer.
How do you hook up a 4 wire dryer cord to a 3 wire?
InstructionsShut Off the Power. ... Remove the Dryer's Electrical Connection Cover. ... Detach the Electrical Cord. ... Jumper the Neutral to the Ground. ... Connect the Three-Prong Cord. ... Install the New Strain-Relief Clamp. ... Plug in the Dryer.
How do you wire a 4 wire plug to a 3 wire?
Connect the ground wire of the 3-wire cable to the ground wire of the 4-wire cable. Connect the black wire of the 3-wire circuit to either the red or the black wire of the 4-wire circuit. The red and black wires are the"hot" wires. Either wire can be used to power a circuit.
What are the colors on a 3 prong dryer cord?
The neutral acts as ground in the circuit. There are three connection terminals on your dryer. The left is hot, the middle is neutral and the right is hot. There is a black and red wire from the dryer already connected to the terminal.
How do you hook up a 4 prong dryer cord to a 3 prong dryer?
1:144:46How To Install 4 Prong and 3 Prong Dryer Cord - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe back cover of the dryer or if it's hollow in the inside they would just fall to the floor. NowMoreThe back cover of the dryer or if it's hollow in the inside they would just fall to the floor. Now let's go ahead and insert the wire through the cable entry hole.
What is the wire connection box for a dryer?
In the dryer's wire connection box, there must be a metal jumper between the center neutral terminal and the ground terminal. If you are installing a three-prong cord, the center wire (the ground/neutral wire) is connected to this center ground/neutral connection, and the other two wires are connected to outer terminals (both hot) on the dryer.
How to tighten terminals?
Tighten all terminal connections firmly, using the screwdriver or nut driver.
How to connect a black cord to a hot terminal?
Connect the remaining three cord wires to the terminals on the terminal block. Start by connecting the white cord wire to the center (neutral) terminal on the block. Then, connect the black cord wire to the terminal at the left or right of the center terminal; the left and right terminals are the hot terminals and are interchangeable.
When did the NEC change the wiring for dryers?
In 1996, the National Electrical Code (NEC) changed the requirements for electric dryer wiring and cord connections. The old cords had three-prong plugs that fit three-slot wall outlets. In three-prong cords, there were two hot wires, with the third wire serving as both the neutral and the ground connection.
Do dryer outlets have to be wired?
All this changed with the 1996 code revision, where new installations required that dryer outlets must be wired to accept four-prong cords, with separate neutral and ground wires. 1 This also required a slightly different configuration in the dryer's connection box, in which the neutral and ground terminals were no longer jumpered together. This configuration slightly improves the protection against shock, since the machine's chassis now has its own grounding pathway.
Do you have to connect a dyer vent duct to a dryer?
Make sure to connect the dyer's vent duct before using the dryer to dry clothes.
Can you use a 3 prong dryer cord?
The NEC (and most local building codes) still permit the use of three-prong dryer cords in houses that have the old style of dryer outlet. And since your dryer might be older or newer than your outlet, dryer manufacturers don't bother giving you an appliance cord because it might not work for your situation.
How to remove a screw from a dryer?
Use a magnetic screwdriver or nut driver (or socket wrench) to remove the plate's screws. With magnetic tools, you're less likely to drop screws inside the dryer.
What is the white wire on a dryer?
There may be a short white wire or metal strap joining the neutral terminal and the ground screw, or there may be a white wire coming from inside the dryer and connecting to the ground screw. This is the 3-wire configuration that ties the case ground to the neutral cord wire.
How to disconnect a 3 prong cord?
Disconnect the old 3-prong cord by removing the three screws securing the wire ends to the dryer's terminal block. The two outer terminals are the hot terminals, and the center terminal is the neutral.
What is the difference between a 3 prong and a 4 prong dryer?
The key difference in the wiring configuration between 3-prong and 4-prong cords is that, with the older setup, the 3-prong cord has only two hot wires and one neutral wire—there is no separate ground wire. Therefore, the dryer's neutral wire was tied to the ground connection on the metal case of the dryer. Such a configuration creates a very slight chance of shock in the rare event that the dryer experiences a short circuit in its internal wiring. This was the reason why the code changed to require the 4-wire configuration.
How to secure a cord?
Squeeze the two halves together ( sometimes it helps to use pliers to gently squeeze them together), and secure the halves with the fitting screws. Snug the screws so the cord is held firmly but is not deformed by the pressure.
How to install a strain relief fitting?
To install a new strain relief fitting, first slip the tab of the top half of the fitting into the hole and position the saddle (semi-circle) of the fitting over the top of the cord. Do the same with the bottom half of the fitting below the cord.
When did dryers need to be wired?
Due to changes in the National Electrical Code (NEC), recommended wiring for electric clothes dryer outlets changed in 1996. Before the change, dryer outlets were 3-slot devices that accepted 3-prong cords. This configuration did not include a dedicated ground connection; the dryer's equipment ground (case ground) was connected to the neutral conductor in the dryer cord and the household circuit.
Reusing an Old Dryer Cord
When replacing the existing dryer in your home, you can reuse its electric power supply cord if the old cord conforms to current safety codes and there is nothing wrong with the cord itself. However, you must replace the cord if it shows any signs of wear, so check it carefully for any fraying, kinks or other signs of damage.
3-Prong Dryer Cord vs. 4-Prong Dryer Cord
A 3-prong dryer cord was the standard for dryers prior to 2000. The National Electrical Code currently requires 4-prong dryer outlets in all new home construction. Existing homes may still use 3-prong outlets.
Helpful Tips on How to Change a Dryer Cord
Changing a dryer cord is simple but the project isn’t done frequently by most homeowners. Some tips might be new advice for beginners and others are worth repeating even to seasoned DIY-ers. Use common sense when learning how to change a dryer cord.
Open the Access Panel
You must make certain that the appliance is disconnected from its power source before beginning to work on changing a dryer cord.
Remove the Old Cord
After the terminals are labeled for easier installation of the new dryer cord, you can begin to remove the old cord.
Attach the New Cord
Feed the loose wires of the new dryer cord through the hole in the back of the unit. Then you can attach the new cord.
Replace the Access Panel
Double check that you have firmly tightened the terminal screws that connect the new wires. Now install the strain relief bracket to protect the connections and help avoid a possible short if the cord is yanked.
How to connect a pigtail to a dryer?
Once the wires are connected, secure the pigtail to the dryer by feeding it through the built-in wire clamp and tightening the clamp.
What color are the terminals on a dryer?
Note the colors of the terminal screws inside the dryer. Two are brass, one is silver and one is green. The brass terminals are hot, the silver is neutral and the green one is for ground.
Do you need a plug for an electric dryer?
The plug on a electric dryer is optional, because, in many houses, the appliance is hardwired into the house circuitry. If your house has a 240-volt receptacle for the dryer, then you may need to install a plug -- or pigtail -- yourself.
Do all dryers come with pigtails?
Not all dryers come with pigtails. If you have to purchase one, make sure it's long enough to reach the receptacle. If you have an older dryer without a ground terminal, drill a hole in the body of the machine and connect the ground wire to the machine with a ground screw.
Can you hardwire a dryer?
You hardwire a dryer by following essentially the same procedure. The only differences are that you have to crimp on the ring lugs yourself, and the ground wire is bare instead of green. Be sure the power is off before you do it.
