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Posted by DerbyDad03 on April 4, 2008, 3:36 pm
> "Percival P. Cassidy" wrote:
>
> > 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. =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 p=
ut
> > >>> 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 th=
ink
> > >>> that since maybe new dryers don't come with cords, maybe I should ju=
st
> > >>> 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 outle=
t
> > >> (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 installe=
d
> > >> 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
>
> In the three wire configuration for a dryer there is a bonding strap
> between the ground and neutral terminals *of the dryer*. If there is a
> three wire cord set, there is no bonding of the house neutral and ground
> since both are not present on a three wire cord set.
>
> It is possible that someone could install a four wire cord set on the
> dryer without removing the dryers bonding strap which would result in a
> bonding of the house neutral and ground which would not be to code, and
> is the situation that was referenced.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
re: In the three wire configuration for a dryer there is a bonding
strap between the ground and neutral terminals *of the dryer*.
Could you explain that further? Where is this bonding strap you speak
off?
Can I assume the bonding strap would be a jumper on the terminal strip
that the 3 pronger was attached to?
I may have to go back and check my friend's dryer - the one I swapped
out the 3 prong cord on - to make sure I did it correctly. I don't
recall seeing a jumper, so I certainly don't recall removing one.
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