Home Page link

Do new electric dryers come with cords?

Home| Search | About
Login Password
Register Now! Lost Password?

Home Repair - - If it ain't broken, don't fix it. Otherwise look here. 

Page 1 of 4       1 2 3 > last >> Bookmark this page:  YahooMyWeb Yahoo!  Google Google  Windows Live Favorites Windows Live  del.icio.us del.icio.us  digg digg  Add to Netscape Netscape
Subject Author Date
Do new electric dryers come with cords? zzyzzx 04-03-2008
If you were  Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
Posted by zzyzzx on April 3, 2008, 12:18 pm
I was in Lowes last night and I noticed that none of the electric
dryers had electric cords on them. Is that how they all do it?

Reason why I'm asking is because a friend of mine needs a new dryer
outlet, and it's the 3 prong style. I was wondering if I should put
in a 4 prong in it's place so when that dryer goes the new one will
just plug in. after my trip to the store, I'm more inclined to think
that since maybe new dryers don't come with cords, maybe I should just
put in another 3 prong plug since that's what the existing dryer has
and any potential new dryer would need a new cord installed anyway.

Can someone verify that?

Posted by Bob on April 3, 2008, 12:33 pm
zzyzzx wrote:
> I was in Lowes last night and I noticed that none of the electric
> dryers had electric cords on them. Is that how they all do it?

Two reasons they don't:

1. Depending on the site wiring, there may be a 3 or 4 wire outlet in
place, or even a wired-in pigtail from the disconnect switch.

2. Not including the cord keeps the price down and eliminates a
possible UL listing hurdle.

Posted by Chip C on April 3, 2008, 12:43 pm
> I was in Lowes last night and I noticed that none of the electric
> dryers had electric cords on them. Is that how they all do it?
>
> Reason why I'm asking is because a friend of mine needs a new dryer
> outlet, and it's the 3 prong style. I was wondering if I should put
> in a 4 prong in it's place so when that dryer goes the new one will
> just plug in. after my trip to the store, I'm more inclined to think
> that since maybe new dryers don't come with cords, maybe I should just
> put in another 3 prong plug since that's what the existing dryer has
> and any potential new dryer would need a new cord installed anyway.
>
> Can someone verify that?

The three-prong connectors (or hardwired connections) for dryers and
ranges is an old scheme that involved connecting ground to neutral
inside the appliance. It saved copper but is now regarded as unsafe,
and is against code in many places, certainly around here (where
dryers and ranges are sold with cords). Under certain circumstances, a
fault in a circuit or other appliance anywhere in the house could
result in the entire metal cabinet of the appliance carrying a 120V
charge, just as you're standing on the basement floor loading wet
laundry into it.

Even if local code doesn't require it, I'd say put in a 4-prong outlet
(14-30R for a dryer, 14-50R for a range, and of course you'll need to
run new 4-wire cable of suitable gauge) and have such a cord installed
on the appliance. If the appliance is being converted from a 3-prong
setup, make sure the neutral-to-ground jumper is removed.

Chip C
Toronto

Posted by DerbyDad03 on April 3, 2008, 3:08 pm
>
> > I was in Lowes last night and I noticed that none of the electric
> > dryers had electric cords on them. =A0Is that how they all do it?
>
> > Reason why I'm asking is because a friend of mine needs a new dryer
> > outlet, and it's the 3 prong style. =A0I was wondering if I should put
> > in a 4 prong in it's place so when that dryer goes the new one will
> > just plug in. =A0after my trip to the store, I'm more inclined to think
> > that since maybe new dryers don't come with cords, maybe I should just
> > put in another 3 prong plug since that's what the existing dryer has
> > and any potential new dryer would need a new cord installed anyway.
>
> > Can someone verify that?
>
> The three-prong connectors (or hardwired connections) for dryers and
> ranges is an old scheme that involved connecting ground to neutral
> inside the appliance. It saved copper but is now regarded as unsafe,
> and is against code in many places, certainly around here (where
> dryers and ranges are sold with cords). Under certain circumstances, a
> fault in a circuit or other appliance anywhere in the house could
> result in the entire metal cabinet of the appliance carrying a 120V
> charge, just as you're standing on the basement floor loading wet
> laundry into it.
>
> Even if local code doesn't require it, I'd say put in a 4-prong outlet
> (14-30R for a dryer, 14-50R for a range, and of course you'll need to
> run new 4-wire cable of suitable gauge) and have such a cord installed
> on the appliance. If the appliance is being converted from a 3-prong
> setup, make sure the neutral-to-ground jumper is removed.
>
> Chip C
> Toronto

er: the entire metal cabinet of the appliance carrying a 120V charge,
just as you're standing on the basement floor loading wet laundry into
it.

I guess I'm safe.

My dryer is on the first floor.

Posted by Percival P. Cassidy on April 3, 2008, 3:10 pm
On 04/03/08 03:08 pm DerbyDad03 wrote:

>>> I was in Lowes last night and I noticed that none of the electric
>>> dryers had electric cords on them. Is that how they all do it?
>>> Reason why I'm asking is because a friend of mine needs a new dryer
>>> outlet, and it's the 3 prong style. I was wondering if I should put
>>> in a 4 prong in it's place so when that dryer goes the new one will
>>> just plug in. after my trip to the store, I'm more inclined to think
>>> that since maybe new dryers don't come with cords, maybe I should just
>>> put in another 3 prong plug since that's what the existing dryer has
>>> and any potential new dryer would need a new cord installed anyway.
>>> Can someone verify that?

>> The three-prong connectors (or hardwired connections) for dryers and
>> ranges is an old scheme that involved connecting ground to neutral
>> inside the appliance. It saved copper but is now regarded as unsafe,
>> and is against code in many places, certainly around here (where
>> dryers and ranges are sold with cords). Under certain circumstances, a
>> fault in a circuit or other appliance anywhere in the house could
>> result in the entire metal cabinet of the appliance carrying a 120V
>> charge, just as you're standing on the basement floor loading wet
>> laundry into it.
>>
>> Even if local code doesn't require it, I'd say put in a 4-prong outlet
>> (14-30R for a dryer, 14-50R for a range, and of course you'll need to
>> run new 4-wire cable of suitable gauge) and have such a cord installed
>> on the appliance. If the appliance is being converted from a 3-prong
>> setup, make sure the neutral-to-ground jumper is removed.

> er: the entire metal cabinet of the appliance carrying a 120V charge,
> just as you're standing on the basement floor loading wet laundry into
> it.

I don't think so: a properly installed 4-prong setup will have a
separate ground conductor to which the cabinet of the washer will be
connected. AIUI, it is not permitted to have the ground and neutral
connected anywhere other than at the main panel.

Perce

Page 1 of 4       1 2 3 > last >>
Similar ThreadsPosted
Kenmore Electric Dryers == JUNK??? October 30, 2005, 7:07 pm
Replacing sash cords July 20, 2005, 5:41 pm
about EXTENSION CORDS (safety) August 2, 2006, 2:11 pm
Connecting Extension Cords April 28, 2007, 6:10 pm
connecting electrical cords in a home November 12, 2006, 12:51 pm
spray paint for extension cords August 4, 2007, 7:20 pm
Two dryers - one vent? June 19, 2006, 12:07 pm
Re: washer and dryers November 26, 2006, 10:17 pm
washer and dryers April 25, 2006, 9:59 pm
OT­compressed air dryers May 9, 2008, 1:24 pm

Contact Us | Privacy Policy

XML SitemapXML Sitemap