Trying to use 3 prong cord for dryer how do you wire it?

Unplug the dryer then remove the terminal block cover and disconnect the 3-prong cord from the dryer. Note that the cord has red , black, and white wires but sometimes the red and black wires are both replaced by same color wire, usually gray and can switch places. There's also a ground strap wire also connected to the center terminal together with the white (neutral) wire.

Get yourself a 4-prong cord and note that it has red, black, white, and green/yellow wires but sometimes, like the 3-pronged one, the red and black wires are both replaced by same color wire, usually gray and can also switch places. All you have to do now is connect the 3 wires in the same manner they are connected as 3-prong cord to the terminal block. The ground strap wire now just need to be connected to the remaining 4th wire, the green/yellow wire instead of the center terminal together with the white (neutral) wire. Reinstall the terminal block cover and it's done.

It can be observed that converting a 3-prong cord to 4-prong cord is merely splitting the neutral line and the ground thereby increasing the number of prongs from 3 to 4 whereas, on the other hand, converting a 4-prong cord to 3-prong cord is merely joining the neutral line (white) and the ground (green/yellow) thereby reducing the number of prongs from 4 to 3.. The links below might enlighten you further on this matter.

Four-prong to Three-prong Electric Dryer Conversion
Three-prong to Four-prong Electric Dryer Conversion

It's either you convert the 3-prong outlet to 4-prong or the 4-prong cord to 3-prong. But the latter is easier and more feasible. Unplug the dryer then disconnect the 4-prong cord from the dryer. Note that it has red, black, white, and green/yellow wires but sometimes the red and black wires are both replaced by same color wire, usually gray. The red and black wires are lines L1 and L2 reversibly, meaning they can switch places, while the white and green/yellow wires are the neutral line and ground, respectively.

Get yourself a 3-prong cord and note that it has red , black, and white wires but sometimes, like the 4-pronged one, the red and black wires are both replaced by same color wire, usually gray and can also switch places. All you have to do now is connect these 3 wires in the same manner they are connected as 4-prong cord to the terminal block. The wire strapped to the dryer cabinet and connected to the green/yellow wire of the 4-prong cord wire is now left hanging. The last step is to connect this hanging strap wire to the same terminal on the terminal block (center) where the white wire (neutral) is connected and it's done.

It can be observed that converting a 4-prong cord to 3-prong cord is merely joining the neutral line (white) and the ground (green/yellow) thereby reducing the number of prongs from 4 to 3. On the other hand, converting a 3-prong cord to 4-prong cord is merely splitting the neutral line and the ground thereby increasing the number of prongs from 3 to 4. The link below might enlighten you further on this matter.

Electric Dryer Prong Conversion

There's a ground strap wire (green/yellow) attached to the dryer cabinet and connected to the center terminal where the white neutral wire of the power cord is connected. Disconnect this ground strap wire and remove the 3-prong power cord from the terminal block taking note where the wires are connecedt to. Connect the 4-prong power cord in the same way same wire colors of the 3-prong cord are connected to the terminal block. Connect the ground strap wire to the remaining fourth wire (green/yellow). Just do the reverse when converting 4-prong to 3-prong. The link below might enlighten you further on this matter.

Electric Dryer Prong Conversion

Hi,

Here is a tip that will help you with changing your dryer plug.

Dryer Cord and Wiring Dryer 3 Wire or 4 Wire

heatman101

Hi,
Here is a tip that will help you with changing your dryer plug. Dryer Cord and Wiring Dryer 3 Wire or 4 Wire



heatman101

Hi,
Here is a tip that will help you with that...

Dryer Cord and Wiring Dryer 3 Wire or 4 Wire
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4496386-dryer_cord_wiring_dryer_3_wire_or_4_wire

heatman101

Your four prong cord has 4 wires. Black,Red,Green and White.
Remove the 3 prong cord from the dryer.
The Black and Red wires go to the outside terminals on the dryer. The White wire goes top the center terminal. The Green wire goes outside the terminal cover to any nearby screw for grounding.

Electric Dryer How To Hook Up Cord For Three Prong Cords
the Center cord wire goes on the center terminal,
the left on the left ,
and the right on the right.

Note: There should be a ground strap or wire that runs from the center terminal to the dryer case.

For Four Prong Cords
the White cord wire goes in the center,
the Red on the Right,
the Black on the Left.
The green cord wire goes to the case or the external ground screw.

Note: Be sure to disconnect the ground wire or strap that runs from the center terminal to the case. In this Photo (A Whirlpool Dryer) I have ran the wire that runs from the center terminal, the Light Green wire, back to itself rather than cutting it off, just incase I need to put a 3 prong cord back on it some day. The whole purpose of this 3 prong / 4 prong thing is it separates the neutral from the ground. 3 Prong Cord Whirlpool Dryer Example 4 Prong Cord Whirlpool Dryer Example

The following link explains how to convert a 3-prong appliance cord to a 4-prong and vice-versa:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r793520-3_prong_4_prong_power_cord_conversion

If you still have questions, please let me know. I hope this helps you.