How To Convert 3 Wire Dryer Electrical Outlet to 4 Wire

If you've wondered How To Convert a 3 Wire Dryer Electrical Outlet to 4 Wire dryer outlet, then wonder no more. Today we show you how to convert 3 wire dryers to 4 wires for modern National Electric Code, and how to wire a 4 prong dryer cord. Time for changing dryer from 3 prong to 4 prong. Since 1996, National Electrical Code forbids 3-wire dryer electrical outlets in new construction; we must use 4-wire outlets and remove the ground strap from new dryers when you are wiring it up.

✅ Tools/Parts in this dryer electrical outlet video:

How to convert 3 wire to 4 on a dryer outlet

Here we show you how to convert an older 3-wire electrical 220 V outlet for your clothes dryer to a modern National Electrical Code approved 4-wire dryer outlet connector with electrical wiring.

✅ SUBSCRIBE:

✅ WATCH: How to Convert 3 Wire Oven/Electric Range Electrical Outlet to 4 Wire

✅ WATCH: How to Move an Electrical Outlet/Light Switch Up A Wall, Patch Drywall

✅ WATCH: How to Map Out And Label Your Electrical/Fuse Panel

changing dryer from 3 prong to 4 prong

When you buy your new clothes dryer, order your new 4 prong dryer cord for $20. Do not order the 3-prong dryer cord if you are upgrading your outlet box from 3-wire to 4-wire! We are ditching the old style 3-prong dryer cord in favor of the newer code compliant 4 prong dryer cord.

It is a good idea to upgrade your older 3-wire dryer outlet box when you buy new appliances like a dryer, which is why we advocated above to ditch the 3-prong dryer cord. If you are remodeling your home with permitted electrical work, the building inspector will check your electrical wiring and require you to upgrade your electrical dryer outlet to bring it into compliance with current NEC rules. If they see a 3-wire dryer outlet installed, the building inspector may force you to upgrade your 220-volt outlet from 3-wire to 4-wire.

Converting from 3 prong dryer cord to 4 prong dryer cord

When you buy that new dryer, you'll convert that 3 wire dryer outlet to 4, using a 4 prong dryer cord on that dryer outlet. Connecting a 4 prong dryer cord with 4 wires to your new dryer is easy, but you MUST remove the ground strap inside the dryer that shorts the white wire (common) to the green wire (earth ground) before you attach your new 4 prong dryer cord. These are electrical safety rules for DIY electrical tasks in converting to 4-wire.

Connecting a 4 prong dryer cord to a new clothes dryer for a dryer outlet

We'll show you in this DIY video all about ditching a 3-wire dryer cord and using instead a 4-wire cord to your new dryer, including the electrical wiring inside the dryer. Then you'll be ready to hook up the dryer to the 220 volt outlet. It is so important to follow the manufacturer instructions on wiring, depending if you are wiring a 3-wire dryer cord or a 4-wire dryer cord, you might consider a new dryer plug, and we'll show you all about connecting a dryer cord with 4 wires.

No more 3 prong dryer cord on this dryer outlet

Just say no to using a 3 prong dryer cord, convert to a 4 prong dryer cord. 4 prong dryer cords required by electric code, so future proof your dryer outlet when you convert 3 wire dryer to 4 wire dryer.

connecting a dryer cord with 4 wires

Electrical safety is top priority when working with DIY electrical wiring of your 4 prong dryer cord. Removing that grounding strap is required by code, because when connecting a dryer outlet to a 4-wire plug, the ground wiring must now be separate from the white common wire. Once the DIY electrical wiring portion of this do it yourself task is complete, you can then begin connecting a dryer to the outlet box with the new 4 prong dryer cord.

Connecting a dryer cord with 4 wires

This video also shows you how to hook up dryer cords with 4 wires to the back of the clothes dryer, and how to properly ground this 4-wire dryer cord. Connecting a dryer cord with 4 wires is easy.

Connecting a dryer outlet

Now that you have the new 4-wire dryer plug wired to the dryer, you are ready to plug in the dryer plug into the dryer outlet box on the wall and fire it up! You just got better DIY electrical tips on wiring a 4 prong dryer cord than Ask This Old House.

00:00 Introduction to 3 wire dryer outlets receptacles
00:29 Inside wiring of 3-Wire dryer outlet
02:35 Upgrading to 4-wire outlet, turn power off first
02:55 Anatomy of 4-Wire dryer outlet
07:39 Remove wires from old 3-wire outlet
08:20 Move wires to 4-Wire outlet
10:33 Wiring dryer for 4-Wire connectivity

[jeffostroff]

✅ Tools/Parts in this dryer electrical outlet video:

[brucebear]

Finally, there's a knowledgeable, sane electrical poster on YouTube. No "suicide cords", no lectures on how Code is "too expensive", no "this is really all right". Thank you for that.
Re: having the ground on the upper position, it's a good safety thing, too. Dryers move around a little by themselves, plus the cord is heavy so they tend to pull the cord out a little bit after being is use for a while. If the ground is in the upper position and the cord is hanging straight down, there's much less of a lever action putting force outwards on the plug. Also, if for some reason the plug gets dislodged and a small metal item (clothes hanger, etc) falls onto the terminal prongs, it's much more likely to hit the safe ground terminal; if the very worse happens and the metal item hits a "hot" terminal (X or Y), it's almost sure to also hit the ground, resulting in an immediate breaker trip before anyone can get hurt.
Yeah, it's a good thing.

[Sambo]

I can't believe how protective you are of all the little kids playing behind the dryer. Thank you! On a serious note, I appreciate the video very much. Extremely detailed and full of helpful information that other videos breeze over. I appreciate the talk about what the codes are.

Thanks!

[luiscotto]

Thank you so much! I had to install a 4 prong cord on my new dryer that had the neutral n the ground together! I did it before I found this video n I did it the same way you did, connected the green to the metal n got rid of the brass connector! Thanks again! Now I know I dit it right! God bless you!

[MsShanarun]

You added a lot more info than I initially thought of. Thanks for posting!!!

[luvkountry]

Great instruction. I'm no electrician but when I pretend to be I usually try to make sure that any bare ground wires don't cross or touch any of the insulated live or power carrying wires. I do this as an additional precaution. Most washer and dryers sets are installed in close proximity to each other and sometimes the washers vibrate excessively when unbalanced so it never hurts to take the additional precaution to remain safe and have peace of mind..

[jdog]

Just changed mine today appreciate the vid man clear and straight forward 💯🔥

[louisnatkin]

Great video! I tend to keep extra parts or attach them in a safe place. The only thing I could even comment on is just getting an extra bonding screw, attaching in to the original position and point the bonding wire down with a label on it. It isn't your problem but if you ever get sell or give away the dryer. Someone may convert it back to a three prong cord and not realize they need to ground the machine.

[beardofsteve]

THANK YOU for this! This is the only video I could find explaining what the grounding strap is and why I need to remove it. I knew I needed to remove it but also didn't know where to put my new ground wire, you explained that as well. I feel much safer tackling this job now.

[mbaines]

Great video! I bought a used dryer that has a for prong cable, but the jump strap is still connected on the dryer. And my old house has a three prong outlet, but i think all the wires are there for a four wire outlet. This video might help me rectify everything.

[ScubaCat]

I just swap over one wire at a time so I don't get them mixed up. Great video, thanks for posting it!

[Tinyhall]

Thanks - excellent and complete teaching, explaining all the little complications that happen in the real world (but are glossed over in many vids). Great job!

[ElEddieboss]

Thanks for the Video it helped me to change from 3 to 4 wall plug

[bbens]

Thank you sir! Very much appreciated - worked like a charm.

[Al_Z.Heimer]

Thank you. Unfortunately, I can't EASILY upgrade with just two large black wires that are hot and a kind of silvery woven/coiled neutral. No ground. Your preliminary info helped me make that decision.

[kimtierney]

Thank you so much! This was so helpful!

[sinfalacias]

Thank you very much for you good explanation. This is a very good video.

[panama-sxoh]

nice video jeff im a electrician since you have a 30 amp breaker number 10 wire u can use number 10 ground wire ground to box n make connection to outlet dont have to run all the way back to panel

[moonamigo]

😁👍Excellent Detailed Video... Thank You!!!

[jorgegomez]

Thank You very much your video is so helpful