I have an older Kenmore dryer. About a week & a half ago while drying clothes I noticed a burning rubber smell; I stopped the dryer and examined and saw that the dryer plug was melting (the rubber around one of the plugs prongs). I thought it was just a problem with the plug/cord itself so I replaced the entire cord/plug as well as tightened the outlet box. When running the 1st load after replacing the cord within 10 minutes the same thing happened- one of the prongs had the rubber cord melting around it. I then thought that it was something with the electric either in the wall or the outlet itself, however my landlords handyman came by and tested the outlet and said that there wasn’t a problem with the electric or outlet..he said it was something wrong with the dryer causing the plug to overheat..but wasn’t exactly sure what…Please..Pretty Please help so I can fix!!!
Thanks a bunch!
Leigh
Call a tech out it’s something you can’t diagnose over a computer and it’s a fire hazard if misdiagnosed.
Get the landlord to send in an electrician.
You did not say so I am assuming this is a 240 volt electric dryer.
If the homes electrical is properly wired re: fuses or with circuit breakers then the fuse/breaker should trip if the dryer is puling too much current. The cord is rated for at least 30 amps but it will carry higher amperage without overheating. UL approved devices have a built in safety factor.
My gut says that you have a problem with the wall receptacle.
It is not something you can see.
Also it is not easy to troubleshoot unless you have the correct tools and know how to use them.
Below is my reasoning.
If there is a bad connection between the receptacle and the plug prong inside the receptacle, electricity sees this as a resistance. As current flows through this resistance it generates heat and I think this is what is causing your plug to melt.
The dryer does not blow the breaker so I doubt that it is drawing too much current unless you have a bad breaker and also an electrical problem in the dryer. This is unlikely but not unheard of.
Since you are renting I would not tackle this yourself due to liability if you mess up.