Can I Convert My Washing Machine to a 4 Prong Plug?

Safety Precautions

• Before performing any repairs or modifications to any appliance, including a washing machine or a dryer, it is imperative that you disconnect the power source to the appliance. This is accomplished by turning off the appliance's breaker in your home's main breaker panel, or by unplugging the appliance from the wall outlet.

Standard Outlets

• The power cord on your washing machine has a three-prong cord, which plugs into a standard 120-volt, 15-amp power outlet. Each prong on this cord has a specific purpose and allows your washing machine to function safely and properly. The left prong is the neutral line, the right prong is the hot line and the bottom prong is the ground.

Appliance Outlets

• Appliance outlets have three or four prongs, and provide a 240-volt, 30-amp power supply, which is necessary to power the heating element in electric dryers and electric ranges. The power cords installed on these appliances have two hot prongs, each of which supplies a 120-volt power supply to the appliance.

Washing Machine Power Requirements

• Washing machines require a 120-volt connection, and cannot be converted to use a four-prong power cord. The use of a four-prong power cord doubles the load placed on the washing machine, which leads to immediate damage to the machine and may even cause a fire.