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Today, we will be taking you through how to connect a 3-prong dryer cord to your dryer.
We shall also show you how you can easily connect a 3-prong dryer cord to a 4-prong power outlet.
Let us dive in.
How to wire a 3 prong dryer outlet to 4 wire install
The lack of a ground wire is what differentiates the 3-prong cords from the 4-prong cords(As its name suggest, there are 3 wires only: 2 hot wires- typically black and white- and 1 neutral- usually green / bare copper).
On the other hand, the 4-prong cord has 2 hot wires(normally black and red), 1 neutral wire(white), and a ground wire (again green / bare copper)-you already know this from if you’re familiar with 4 prong dryer cord color code.
It is worth mentioning that this is the modern dryer cord design.
In fact, the presence of the ground wire in a 4-prong cord makes your dryer safer to use.
Now, if your house has a 4-prong outlet, what do you do?
Well that is where the next section “How to wire a 3 prong dryer outlet to 4 wire install” comes in..
How to wire a 3 prong dryer outlet to 4 wire install
With that out of our way, let us now look at how 3-prong dryer cords are connected to a 4 prong dryer outlet.
Well, you might think about calling in an electrician to change your cord but that is not the cheapest option…
Instead, there is a much cheaper and quicker option than re-wiring your dryer outlet to be a 4-wire..
So exactly what do I mean when I speak about an inexpensive and more convenient option?
Well, here’s what you will need to do: First, purchase a 3-prong to 4-prong dryer adapter cord.
Next, plug in your dryer cord to the adapter and then plug in the adapter to the 4-prong power outlet.
There you go!
In less than 5 seconds and for less than 20 bucks, you will have successfully connected your 3-prong dryer cord to a 4-prong outlet(remember building codes today dictate that houses built after 1996 should have 4-prong outlets).
Reminder:
If you look at your cord, you will note that unlike 4-prong cords, 3-prong cords are not color coded.
This, by the way, should not worry you- just know that the middle wire is usually neutral.
And as far as the other 2 wires are concerned, we already saw that they are both hot wires.
Side Note: If you are looking for a replacement cord for your dryer, then, this best-selling 30-Amp 3-prong dryer cord could be what you need (see its reviews on Amazon).
Option 2
If you don’t like the adapter idea, you can as well swap out your dryer cord- it is another cheaper and easier option…once the back plate of your dryer is off, just swap 3 / 4 terminals.
To be clear, the plate is typically held in place with screws so you unscrew it then take the plate off.
You will now notice the cord- it is again attached to screws.
Of course, you need to know the right way to attach your new cord.
So to sum up:
Just buy the proper cord (they are pretty cheap), un-screw the screws that are holding your current cord wires, and lastly remove it.
You then screw your new cord wires’ back in (the same way).
Oh, and keep your old cord safely just in case you could move again and need to switch back once more to the three prong.
How to convert a 3 prong dryer to 4
Assuming that you have an(old)code legal dryer outlet, perhaps the easiest alternative thing is changing out the cord (on your dryer).
Indeed, 3 and 4-prong cords work in a similar way so just swap out the cord…don’t forget that Voltage provided by a 3-prong is 240, same as the voltage supplied by a 4-prong.
Yeah, the truth is the only major difference between 3-prong and 4-prong is that the latter separates neutral and the ground wires.
Here is what to bear in mind:
As far as steps are concerned, the first thing you need to do is take the 3 wires off(from your old cord).
Next, unscrew the metal thing/accessory that is attached to that green wire(Technically called strain relief bracket).
Now un-screw the white wire currently in the appliance and move it(to the middle post) together with the white wire(neutral wire) from your new 4 prong cord.
The green wire(ground) goes where your old white wire was while black(L1) should go on the left and red(L2) onto the right.
Now attach your strain relief bracket-take off both screws then proceed to put the side screws goes in to on the bottom-with the little part l going straight through the hole.
You will then redo the same with the top one(so they’ll be sandwiching the wire)
It is important to make sure there is a little bit(1/4″,at least) of play-in the wires) before you put screws(and tighten it).
All that remains now is putting the cover back on and you’re done!
How to wire a 3 prong dryer outlet to 4 wire install – final words
If you are still having trouble wiring it, watch the following instructional video on YouTube..
It will make your work way easier.
Good luck!
ALSO READ:
How to connect a 4 wire dryer cord [With pictures]
4 prong outlet wiring diagram [Dryer]
