Dryer cord 4 to 3 prong change out - with added ground wire (DIY)

Рет қаралды 90,852

Күн бұрын

*update 9.10.2021: dryer is still working well, no issues whatsoever, it gets used once or twice a week and I've never had to do anything with it since this video.
I know there are many comments explaining different ways to do this, some agree with me, others don't. Below is where I gathered my information to do this, but I don't claim expertise-proceed at your own risk. However, I've had zero issues with my setup and would absolutely let you all know otherwise if I'd had any issues.
So please keep comments constructive and helpful, I'm trying to create an opportunity for learning, not arguments or insults, and so far that's happened, so be sure to look over the comments for alternative methods.
Thanks for watching... and don't forget to check out my info sources below ⬇️
Around 1999 electrical codes changed and new houses are required to have 4 prong outlets for dryers ( and stoves too, I think). If you have an old 3 prong outlet, you will probably need to change out your dryer cord. This is totally doable, but you must heed the instructions since you are dealing with electricity. You can change the outlet, but that should be done by a licensed electrician only since it will require actual rewiring work (NOT a diy project)!
While researching, I found videos on changing dryer cords from 4 prongs to 3 prongs, but I read an article by a 20 year electrician who adamantly stated to add a ground wire to this setup for safety reasons (I'm a fan of electrical safety), which was not covered in the videos I watched. I have posted the link to his article below for reference.
So, this is my detailed version of my DIY cord change. I went into great detail because I myself like detail and had never done any home electrical work, so I figured anyone watching this would be like me and may appreciate the overly detailed, laymen's explanations. Perhaps it may encourage you to DIY, because this is quite doable, even for the inexperienced.
Feel free to leave helpful tips, tricks or general comments below; note: some of my terminology may be off as well--I do not claim to be a pro by any means. I am not some fancy youtuber and simply made this with the goal of helping people by showing them my trials and errors, yet successful finished product, similar to my other few DIY videos. (((**BUT, perform this AT YOUR OWN RISK** I am not an electrician and this is merely one approach, the one that I chose, on how to do this task!)))
Article by Dan Harmon (Dan has been a licensed journey-level electrician for some 17 years. He has extensive experience in most areas of the electrical trade.):
dengarden.com/appliances/how-...
NOTE: This video was approved by the above article's author and he has included a link to it in his article. Here are his additional comments following his watching of my video:
"A FYI for you, just so you understand better: That extra green ground wire that you installed is necessary. Without it there is no electrical connection to the body and frame of your dryer. It will operate just fine that way...as long as everything inside is proper and in top condition. The problem is that things wear out and unexpected events happen - one of those is that a hot wire might someday touch the frame of the dryer. With that ground wire installed, current will travel down that wire to the breaker panel and instantly trip the breaker, turning off the power.
But if there is no ground wire, there is no path for the current to take and the breaker will not trip. The body and frame will remain energized, with that damaged hot wire touching it much like the end of a battery, but with 120 volts rather than the 1.5 volts of a common battery. The next thing that happens is that you come into the room, lay a hand on your washer (or other grounded metal) and touch the dryer. The current has now found a path to travel; the one through your body to ground! It's called a "shock" and hurts! :D
So yes, that ground wire is necessary from a safety standpoint. It is also necessary from a legal one as it is required by the National Electric Code, which is used in virtually every locality."
I also sought feedback on a DIY forum; you can read those comments here: www.diychatroom.com/f18/dryer...

Пікірлер: 89

@12345les Жыл бұрын

Liz you are the best explaining, comparing all the videos with the pros I pick yours the best. Easy to understand. OMG, you did a lot of research. Thank you Dearly!!!😘👏👍

@lizg8934 Жыл бұрын

Glad it helped! 😎👊

@tony55575 12 күн бұрын

Good thorough job I just did the same thing you did except I didn't use that green wire I just connected to three wires to it and I didn't get shocked or anything so I'm leaving it the way it is but you did an awesome job Thank you

@joeearls8878 4 жыл бұрын

You didn't need to add the green wire. You could have connected the dryer's case to the neutral by merely reconnecting the white jumper wire to the case, which is what the jumper is there for. The hidden end of the jumper wire is already internally connected to the middle terminal.

@mattjarichardson6521 3 жыл бұрын

Yes she was confusing me about that I look video online for dryer install never said anything about cut adding wires ? Why did she do that ?

@joeearls8878 3 жыл бұрын

What she did was OK but unnecessary. She didn't read or didn't have the manual and thus didn't understand the purpose of the white jumper wire the manufacturer provides. She could have accomplished the same thing by simply detaching the white jumper wire from the center terminal and attaching it to the case to ground it. That's what the dryer's manual says to do.

@robertcruz3128 2 жыл бұрын

@@joeearls8878 when you case, are you just referring to the back of the dryer?

@joeearls8878 2 жыл бұрын

@@robertcruz3128 Yes.

@lizg8934 2 жыл бұрын

@@joeearls8878 that's probably the most helpful comment I've received, and tactful at that. Thank you for your suggestion and input 👍

@MM-oc3sb 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for all the great detail. We got our new dryer w 4 prong cord from our daughter since her new house has two dryers! Of course our older house has 3 prong outlet. We originally thought we would upgrade our outlet, so while researching we saw how the new dryers have a grounding bridge (strip) that is removed when 4 prong cord is installed. We then discovered our outlet box does not have the separate ground wire to easily upgrade that. Plan B is now to do precisely what your video shows. You answered our important question on how to replace the missing bridge ground wire -- Thank you for your careful and safe presentation! 💯👍

@lizg8934 Жыл бұрын

Glad it helped! :)

@paujman Жыл бұрын

Thanks. This is just the video I needed. Same situation. Modern equipment and old rental. Had no idea and it’s working out good.between the video and comments I’m all sorted out.

@lizg8934 Жыл бұрын

Awesome! thanks for the comment, glad to hear the video helped. I had the dryer 3 years, never had an issue with it once.

@billcol2 2 жыл бұрын

You did a wonderful job and you make me smile at the same time I really enjoyed watching you do that good luck on your next project

@topc5826 2 жыл бұрын

"It works! No sparks or electricity coming out!" LOL I didn't see any puddles of electricity coming out all over the floor, Great job, no leaks! Yah!

@danielbartlett8194 Жыл бұрын

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO POST

@lizg8934 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment 😎👊

@monteroexperience1424 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for the video. It cleared some questions I had. Keep it up :)

@michaelevans2798 Жыл бұрын

This was a great video, very helpful. Thank you!

@franksanchez4655 4 ай бұрын

After searching and searching finally the video i was looking for. The comments about connecting the white wire to the ground screw is good to know but my dryer did not have this white wire or a strip don't know if it got lost or removed when someone else installed the dryer previously or for whatever the reason it is not there and this video shows what to do if you don't have that wire,so THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO.

@michellebenavidez2728 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for mentioning where to get it

@Mr.Boom_1981 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your video so much

@SuperCesar360 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks everything is well explained

@fromawindow9173 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome, thanks

@mattjaxdad8693 2 жыл бұрын

Y'all stop the video at 16:53. If you look at the top of the center terminal you can see it (IS) the white wire (it loops behind the metal). So instead of looping it to ITSELF which is what is done by hooking the white to the bottom of the terminal it's already hooked to. Just hook it to the chassis or body of the dryer. (The green ground screw). In this case the green wire (she made) can be removed and take the white wire and hook it to the upper left green screw. No big deal but you didn't need to make the green jumper wire out of your 4 prong that you may need when you move.

@jennars1162 Жыл бұрын

Go girl!!!! Bravo!!!

@rodrigoaceves8955 3 жыл бұрын

You are amazingly awesome!

@wrgomez4739 Жыл бұрын

Well done

@lizg8934 Жыл бұрын

Thank you :)

@djnutsack9004 2 жыл бұрын

Good video. Just an FYI they make a heat shrink connector. So you don't need electrical tape an a hair dryer, heat gun or if your desperate a lighter will shrink it down tight around the wire.

@geecali8356 Жыл бұрын

The heat shrink is not a good idea if the wire warms up for what ever reason.

@hlee633 Жыл бұрын

Is the white wire found on the back of ALL dryers? Or only on new dryers? On another note, I'm disturbed by the amount of confusion that exists about this, and the number of times an expert has had to chime in here. The industry still has some catching up to do.

@skyshark445 Жыл бұрын

You did it correctly.

@yungfree4960 3 жыл бұрын

Omg thank you 🙏🏿 you didn’t even consider your self a professional but I went thru a lot of video of them not putting the white cord in the middle omg thank you bless you

@MariLopez-lr9jy Жыл бұрын

Thank u so much it was very helpfull and funny... I was able to do the same thing so thank u, Im still alive 😅

@williamperrygeorgiaethicsw3178 2 жыл бұрын

Helpful info, just wish she would cut down on the number of times she says mmmm-kay! I had to turn it off before it was over.

@lizg8934 2 жыл бұрын

You could always mute it too...mmm kay 😉

@topc5826 2 жыл бұрын

The white wire is called the "neutral", if you had examined the inside of your service box, you would see that both the ground (green) and the neutral (white) both attach to the bus bars that go to ground. They are both the same but code requires all the white (neutral) wires be on their own bus bar and the ground (green) wires be on their own bus bar. You did NOT have to cut off the green wire, it could have been screwed to the chassis (the hole in the the metal box, along with the eyelet of the white wire. It would not be a problem. You don't need to cut wires off. I applaud you for DIYing your electrical, but you need to learn more about wiring procedures for home electrical services.

@lizg8934 2 жыл бұрын

I agree, thank you for sharing your expertise, I know it will help others 😎👊

@POPJack1717 11 ай бұрын

Hey man, question, I replaced my heating element. When I plug everything back up, the back of the dryer sparked and jumped the fuse box in the garage. The machine would turn on without popping but only when you ran the dryer cycle, is when it popped. I couldn't not figure out what is causing this but noticed the heating element coils are touching the wire that runs to the sensor on the heating element. Could this touching of the coils be short circuiting the dryer? Never had an issue breaking down the dryer until I replaced the heating element.

@vajhuamsibluag Жыл бұрын

Go directly to the point.

@lizg8934 Жыл бұрын

Fast forward 😉

@toddellis5197 2 жыл бұрын

You did awesome! My only question is... When you were growing up, did you watch a lot of South Park? ;-)

@epyedits7713 2 жыл бұрын

HI, i have a kenmore 796.813 dryer. I have installed the 4 prong power wires. However there is a white and a yellow/green wire that I removed and i cant remember where it was connected.. Can you please assit me? thank you. Currently the 4 prong is connected with the green wire to the ground white to nuetral, and red on red , and black on black. Im missing the white neutral and yellow/green wire. thank you

@byron2521 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for making this video. I assumed the 4th wire had to be a ground wire...... what else could it be? I live in an old house (about 40 years old) and the dryer connection has the old 3 prong outlet. I was not for sure if I would need to get that old outlet re-wired. I actually have never bought a new dryer and did not know if you could even buy the old 3 prongs anymore.

@psfgtech Жыл бұрын

New 2022 GE model has no screw either, a hole it appears

@byron2521 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for making this video. I assumed the 4th wire had to be a ground wire...... I mean, what else could it be? I live in an old house (about 40 years old) and the dryer connection has the old 3 prong outlet. I was not for sure if I would need to get that old outlet re-wired. I actually have never bought a new dryer and did not know if you could even buy the old 3 prongs wire anymore. what is still confusing to me is why you need 4 prongs? Since the 3rd prong on a 3 prong is also a ground. Maybe it's better to have extra ground because of the higher AMP and voltage of the dryer outlets? Or just as a backup? But, that makes sense that you can just run a wire from the 3rd ground to the 4th.

@jewelbell5 2 жыл бұрын

The white wire is the ground, hook it to where the green wire was, and you would be good to go.

@martinavillanueva6205 2 жыл бұрын

Thank u that is what I am confused about

@jenniferdavis8834 2 жыл бұрын

Isn’t that what the white wire is?

@peytongolden1886 4 жыл бұрын

Thank u

@nc3826 4 жыл бұрын

Should have upgraded the receptacle, instead of dangerously downgrading the dyer's safety....

@MikeH0311 2 жыл бұрын

All you had to do was run that white wire and put it where the green one went from the 4 wire cord

@lizg8934 2 жыл бұрын

I didn't know that at the time, which is part of the reason for the video. There have been a lot of alternative suggestions in the comments which was the point since I knew this probably wasn't the best way to do it, but it's what I did with the information I had, and it's worked. Based on my research before this project, and the various comments, it seems there are many opinions about the best way to do this, I simply presented one and gave the opportunity for others to share their methods, which includes you. 😊 Thank you again for your comment, it's helpful. (And thank you for deleting your other comment - you'd be disappointed in my kitchen skills anyways 😉 and my nails usually have dirt under them)

@anthonytonar5365 2 жыл бұрын

@@lizg8934 you did wonderful in my opinion, and I'm about to do exactly what you did, 2+ years since u made the video and it's working still. I trust you lol

@lizg8934 2 жыл бұрын

@@anthonytonar5365 thank you 😊

@gaybrinda113 2 жыл бұрын

Liz, my turn

@gaybrinda113 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@gaybrinda113 2 жыл бұрын

I did just as you said Ann's that was wonderful. Then I read the labelon the dryer that said outta illegal to wire the neural to ground on mobile home, park trailer or RV. Guts what? It works without the jump lead. Who knew?

@gaybrinda113 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry i didn't prof read.the label said (it's) illegal. All that sweat and tears for naught. But after it all I felt accomplished anyway.

@bromporke 4 жыл бұрын

how has it been since your installation? Any shocks?

@bromporke 4 жыл бұрын

I'm about to do this same solution in about an hour...

@nc3826 4 жыл бұрын

@@bromporke Should have upgraded the receptacle, instead of dangerously downgrading the dyer's safety.... BTW, Since most homes have a ground wire already, it would have been easier than what she did anyway....

@bromporke 4 жыл бұрын

@@nc3826 I just saw a ground wire coming off a grounding pole in the garage so I'm gonna attach that instead.

@bromporke 4 жыл бұрын

There's no ground wire coming out of the old recepticle so I can't really change to 4 prong easily.

@nc3826 4 жыл бұрын

@@bromporke that is why the old receptacle would need to be replaced, since it uses the white common wire also as the ground...but there is usually a bare/uninsulated or green wire that is "not used" by the old receptacle to upgrade it to a new safer 4 prong receptacle... and search youtube posts on how to do it...good luck....

@geecali8356 Жыл бұрын

Mind blown, the middle terminal and the wire mounted to the body is the same wire. Who ever hooked the 4 prong was wrong also. Taking the ground off and putting it on the middle terminal takes the ground off the body. That white wire is supposed to be on the body.

@lizg8934 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the comment Gee 😉

@josephknapick5307 Жыл бұрын

Gee... Sorry, but the original 4-wire configuration was totally correct as wired, and it reflects the primary reason that the industry evolved from 3-wire to 4-wire for dryers and ovens. In today's homes, neutrals (whites) must remain isolated from grounds (greens or bare copper) at all locations other than at the first electrical panel, typically your main panel. That smaller white wire is actually electrically connected to the center terminal (neutral) up inside the dryer, so the original electrician was simply connecting the small white wire back onto itself, thus preventing it from inadvertently contacting a hot wire or the dryer cabinet. Connecting the green wire to the cabinet grounds the latter while still maintaining isolation between ground and neutral, in conformance with today's version of the Nationl Electrical Code. Contined use of the less desirable 3-wire plugs is a concession by the NEC to avoid having to rewire tens of millions of dryer and oven receptacles in older homes.

@geecali8356 Жыл бұрын

@@josephknapick5307 sorry but you sound good, but you don't know what your talking about. That white wire is a harness that grounds to every panel in the dryer. by unplugging it your just taking the ground off of one of the most important panels- the metal box itself. fortcollinshabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/DSC04216.jpg

@josephknapick5307 Жыл бұрын

No Gee... While you are correct that the white pigtail is indeed connected the the center (neutral) terminal, in a four-wire configuration connecting both the green wire and the white pigtail to the cabinet grounding screw violates the NEC. Ground and neutral are only permitted to be bonded together at the the "point of first disconnect", which is typically the main service panel in most homes. Downstream of that location, neutrals must be kept isolated from grounds. The NEC tolerates an exception to this rule for three-wire dryer and oven receptacles to avoid mass rewiring of homes that only have legacy three conductor 240 volt receptacles at these locations. Experienced electrical engineer here with a copy of the 2920 NEC Handbook on my coffee table. If you also have a copy I can send you "chapter and verse" references if you need them...

@geecali8356 Жыл бұрын

@@josephknapick5307 you obviously don't work on machine, or you would know that ground wire not only is bolted to the body throw-out the machine, so plugging it into itself is counter-intuitive. neutral and ground are always connected together. Those rules were being enforced until people realized that there paying all this money to change over there wall terminal and pigtail for no good reason at all. they were so hard up on making people change there terminals, Whirlpool even came out with a dryer that the 4 prong was built into the harness. That was wrong, but what ever makes an extra buck. So now the rule is in the book, but not being enforced, because it's a BS guideline .

@brianflemming9294 3 жыл бұрын

No one should be creating any new grounds. Your playing with 240 volts And 30 amps. No electrician should Encourage anyone to do that.if I were You i would get someone who knows What they are doing .

@trentmckee2250 2 жыл бұрын

All she had to do is turn off the breaker which I'm sure she was smart enough to do. Other than buying a new cord, however, I'd have swapped out the 240VAC outlet. Of course that's even more dangerous and when we do this in our new rentals we purchase, the entire breaker is popped entirely out first. You are right, though 240VAC is extremely dangerous and lethal

@skyshark445 Жыл бұрын

This works. Many electricians have done this instead of pulling a new wire. I should know. I’m an engineer. I agree right and regulations matter. Before the new rules. All dryers ran with 3 wires. A fourth wire going to the same pole in the breaker box does make a better circuit. I think she is awesome for doing her homework. The info she got was from a 20 year veteran electrician. Bash all you want to. This works and it is safe.

@slideglide9418 Жыл бұрын

🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲♥️♥️♥️♥️🌎🌎🌎🍓🍓🤪 Liz made me fan when she hit the green jumper wire with a hammer. How many would like to see the woman behind the sexy voice? Just curious......

@kevinpeterson4098 3 жыл бұрын

Marry me!

@fentanelfloyd8383 3 жыл бұрын

She probably likes being alive tho

@Independent-xl3st 4 жыл бұрын

I'd recommend removing words "ground wire" and "SAFETY" from your title. You're not adding ground, and you're not making the dryer any safer.

@dc4749 3 жыл бұрын

Electricity is involved

@bryandooley5453 3 жыл бұрын

OMG, before making another video please buy yourself a tripod for your camera or get someone to video for you! I got extremely dizzy watching this. Thanks for the useful information but this video could have been much shorter with a little more forethought.

@anthonytonar5365 2 жыл бұрын

video was fine for me. Might get yourself checked out

@Raw_Roots 2 жыл бұрын

Too many people find any reason to complain. It's free helpful informatio. My apologies, but I don't get it.