Hello,
I plan on purchasing a new washer and dryer. My old dryer has the 3 prong outlet. From what I understand, the newer models have 4 prongs. My question is this: “Do I need to replace the wire that runs from my breaker box to the outlet, or, will I just be replacing the outlet?”
Thanks…
Hi,
New dryers do not come with a cord.
You will have to buy a new cord or remove the cord from your old dryer and install in on your new dryer.
If the cord is old you maybe best to spend the money on a new three wire dryer cord.
[QUOTE]My question is this: “Do I need to replace the wire that runs from my breaker box to the outlet, or, will I just be replacing the outlet?”
[/QUOTE]
No need to do either one. 
So, is it best to use the 4 prong?? Can a 3 prong be used on a newer model?? Can I use the same wire that runs from the outlet to the breaker box??
Thanks.
Yes, take the three wire cord off of the old dryer and put in on the new dryer.
Your new dryer will not come with a cord.
You should not have to do anything with the wire that runs to the breaker box.
You do have a cord on your dryer now, correct?
The dryer is not hard wired to the breaker box.
Not really better, just a change in electrical code in the homes.
New homes are wired with 4 wire outlet for the dryer.
Just a extra ground wire on the four wire ones.
yes i do have a cord…3 prong. So, just use that one for the new dryer??
[QUOTE=pattyman;4364]yes i do have a cord…3 prong. So, just use that one for the new dryer??[/QUOTE]
Yes, if it looks ok. No burnt ends or cracked insulation.
If it looks bad just buy a new three prong cord to put on the new dryer.
What brand of washer and dryer did you buy?
Your new dryer may come with a isolated frame ground, ie, power ground not shorted to the frame.
If you just wire it up with a three prong pigtail, you will have no protection from an internal short, ie, you just might get a dangerous shock!!
For safety reasons,it’s best to use the four prong pigtail. New dryers have wiring instructions for this printed on the back panel.
The 4 wire pigtails protect you in case of a lightning strike by grounding the frame to solid earth ground at a water pipe and routing the power ground to the power ground connection at the fuse box. One thousand amps running through ground during a lightning strike will elevate your dryer frame to 1000 volts, assuming one ohm resistance!!The four wire pigtail will prevent this.
To do this, you will need to rout a new dryer cord from the dryer wall outlet, to the fuse box.
What!?, a new dryer without a ground to the frame?
That would be a first for me and I have been putting dryer cords on for over 20 years. If the dryer is new I don’t believe it would come without a grounded frame.
If the dryer is used then you would need to check to make sure.
What brand of dryer does not come with a grounded frame? Not Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Maytag or LG.
pattyman,
If you unsure just ask the place you are getting the appliances from to install a new three wire dryer corder on your new dryer for you. It should take them all of two minutes to do that for you.
If the dryer had a 4 wire pigtail installed, the frame would not be connected to the power ground.
But you are all ignoring the first question, is it better to have a 4 wire pigtail and I said yes, for safety reasons. It is ALWAYS best to tell anyone what is best and WHY.
Sure in many cases I run across a 3 wire pigtail and the customer deals with it rather than spend the extra money for a 4 wire connection to the fusebox.
Hi
You have a very simple solution: a new dryer comes with the complete installation instructions which explains how to use both 3 and 4 prongs connections. Just follow the instructions and you are going to be fine.
Gene.