Many people wonder, “how to change the dryer cord?” and if you are one of them, then this blog article is meant for you. Continue reading, so you will finally know how to change the dryer cord efficiently.
One of the hardest-working appliances in your home is the dryer, but after handling so many loads of laundry, it may show signs of wear and tear. If this is the situation, you might have observed that you need a dryer outlet replacement. However, because their electrical circuits and dryer outlet types differ, you could need a separate plug depending on whether you have a gas or electric dryer. A grounded 3-prong outlet and a 120-volt electrical circuit are needed for gas dryers. On the other hand, an electric dryer requires a 240-volt, 30-amp circuit and a grounded, 4-prong power cord.
Additionally, you might need to change your dryer cord if you’re installing a new one in an older house or an old one in a new one. To maximize the power of your appliance and adhere to electrical laws, the Samsung Repairs team can fulfill all of your electrical needs, as well as if you need a Samsung laundry appliances repair. Read the instructions below on how to change the power cord.
5 Steps to Changing Dryer Cords
Your electric dryer must be connected to a 4-wire electrical circuit for your home to be safe and comply with the standards established for homes constructed or renovated after 1996. Fortunately, changing your dryer’s electrical connection to a 4-prong plug only takes an hour if you have the right tools and follow this general guide. A grounded 3-prong electrical connection may be used with a gas dryer.
STEP 1: Remove the cover plate
- Remove the dryer’s plug from the power source.
- Remove the plate covering the electrical cables using a screwdriver.
The plate will likely be located behind the appliance’s power wire.
STEP 2: Remove the strained screws
The strain relief fitting, which is the fitting that holds the power line to the dryer, should have its screws removed.
- Remove and unplug the power cord.
STEP 3: Disconnect the neutral wire
Disconnect the neutral wire from the ground screw after removing the power line. The neutral wire will probably be white and located beneath the electrical terminal’s center screw.
STEP 4: Connect the 4-prong power cord
Insert the strain relief with the new 4-prong cord.
- The grounded (green) wire should be attached to the screw or port and tightened.
- Connect the neutral (white) wire’s hooked end to the port beneath the terminal block’s center screw. Tighten and squeeze.
- Under the outer terminal block screws, attach the other two wires’ hooked ends. Tighten and squeeze.
Make sure that the strain relief and the wires are both tightly secured.
STEP 5: Re-attach the cover plate
With screws, fasten the cover plate over the wiring.
- The 4-prong outlet with the power cord is plugged in.
It is strongly advised against connecting to a 4-prong circuit utilizing dryer plug adapters. To comply with standard regulations and safety requirements, switch to a 4-wire electrical connection as described in your owner’s manual.
Remember that it would be best to consult a qualified professional if you have questions or concerns about changing the circuit.
Are 3 and 4 Prong Dryer Cords interchangeable?
It can interchange, but first, you need to open the access panel.
- Cut the dryer’s power.
- Where the cord enters the dryer’s back, remove the access panel.
- The colorful wire connecting to each terminal should be identified using masking tape. With a black wire on one end, a white wire in the middle, and a red wire on the other, the wires are often color-coded.
Attach the new cord
3-prong cord
- Connect the middle or ground wire to the center terminal, the right terminal, one of the outer wires, and the left terminal, the other outer wire.
- Fasten the ground wire or strap that connects the dryer case’s center terminal to it.
4-prong cord
- Connect the white wire to the center terminal, the red wire to the red wire on the right terminal, and the black wire to the installed black wire on the left terminal.
- Connect the green wire to the dryer case or a green grounding screw.
- Take off the labeled masking tape.
How Do I Change a 4 Wire Dryer Cord to a 3 Wire?
Removing the Old Four-Prong Plug
The wires inside the wire terminal block can be seen by removing the cover plate. Keep track of where each color of wire ends. A hand-drawn or smartphone-taken image can be helpful. Typically, there will be three terminal screws in a row, with the red, black, and white wires attached to the two outside screws, the center screw, and the green wire attached to the dryer’s frame.
Installing the Three-Prong Dryer Cord and Plug
It’s time to install the new three-wire cord and plug after removing the four-wire cord. Before tightening the connector, work the wire through it.
Do I Need a 3 Wire or 4 Wire Dryer Cord?
The good news is that if your current house outlet doesn’t work with your dryer, you don’t have to buy a new dryer. There are several potential solutions, one of which is to buy a new dryer cord. You can also visit stores that sell both 3-prong and 4-prong dryer cables.
As long as you have access to a Phillips head screwdriver, you can easily change out the dryer cord. Be sure to install the strain relief that comes with the new cord.
There are also trusted companies like Samsung Repairs capable of installing a new 3-prong or 4-prong cord on your dryer or range.
How Do You Install a 4 Prong Dryer Cord?
Remove Cover Plate for Electrical Connections
Remove the metal plate covering the cord’s wiring connections on the dryer’s back after making sure it is removed from the power source. It needs to be directly over the location where the cord emerges.
Remove the Strain-Relief Fitting
The strain-relief fitting that holds the cord to the dryer’s back panel is screwed on. Remove the screws. Pull the fitting’s two halves apart and out of the hole one at a time.
Disconnect the Old Cord
By removing the three screws, you can unplug the original 3-prong cord from the dryer. The middle terminal is the neutral terminal, whereas the two exterior terminals are the hot terminals.
Separate the Dryer’s Neutral From the Ground
To change the wiring from 3-prong to 4-prong, detach the neutral wire from the ground screw on the dryer.
Connect the New 4-Prong Cord
By avoiding the loose wire end through the opening in the dryer’s back panel, attach the new 4-prong cord.
Reinstall the Dryer’s Electrical Cover Plate
Check the dryer’s control knob(s) to make sure they are all in the “off” position, then connect it to a 4-prong dryer outlet to verify the dryer’s functionality. For a few minutes, turn on the dryer to test everything. Before operating the dryer, reconnect the vent duct if you removed it or if it was a new installation.
If you have a concern about how to change the dryer cord, Samsung Repairs has the best team of experts you can depend on. To avail of our services, contact us today, and our customer representative will be glad to assist you.