How to Hookup the Electrical Socket for a Dryer

Clothes dryers produced for the U.S. market since 1996 use a four-prong (NEMA 14 series) electrical connector that differs from the earlier three-prong connector by the addition of a grounding prong. Both the three-prong and newer 4-prong outlets are rated for 30 amperes at 120 and 240 volts. The three-prong plug will fit a 4-prong outlet, but the inverse is not true. If your home has the required wiring (10/3 with ground) but has a three-prong dryer outlet, it is not a difficult task to hook up a four-prong socket to accept a newer clothes dryer.

Test light
Screwdriver
Wire cutter
Wire stripper

Instructions

- 1
  Switch off the breaker for the dryer circuit. Test the circuit at the outlet end with the test light to make sure it is off.
- 2
  If the circuit has an existing three-prong outlet, use the screwdriver to remove it. Cut 1/2 inch from each wire conductor where it was previously connected, then strip 1/2 inch of insulation from each wire.
- 3
  Loosen the terminal screws on the back of the four-prong outlet. The terminals should be marked with X, Y, W and G respectively. Orient the outlet so the "W" terminal is at the bottom; this is the L-shaped prong. Insert the white wire into the terminal and tighten the screw.
- 4
  Insert the black wire into the left-side (as you face the back of the connector with the white wire on the bottom) terminal, marked "X." Tighten the screw.
- 5
  Insert the red wire into the right-side terminal, marked "Y." Tighten the screw.
- 6
  Insert the green or bare wire into the top (round) terminal, marked "G." Tighten the screw.
- 7
  Push the connector into the junction box. Install the mounting plate screws.

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