There are a couple of types of plugs in homes - and the dryer manufacturer use this excuse to not ship a cord with the dryer - profiting that much more. You'll need to purchase a cord set for your dryer. Assuming you live in the U.S., that means you need a 30 amp 240 volt cord. That's easy enough, but it does get harder.
Most homes have an outlet that has three slots in it - like the one below:
A 240 volt, 30 amp, 3 wire dryer plug.New homes have a safer, 240 volt 30amp 4 wire plug. They look like the one below:
A 240 volt, 30 amp, 4 wire dryer plug.The code states that when a dryer is purchased it should be connected via a 4 wire cord. This means if you have the older, 3 wire outlet - it will have to be changed along with the entire length of cable between the electrical panel and the outlet (the new outlet needs a 4 wire cable - the older plug was supplied by a 3 wire cable).
Those are the rules. Many people opt to purchase the older 3 wire cords so that they can connect directly to the 3 wire outlet already installed in their home. As an electrician, I have to caution you on doing that. It is a violation of the electrical code as it has been identified as an unsafe condition. The code hopes to rectify this by slowly requiring new dryers to be wired with 4 wire cords and making the homeowner upgrade the old 3 wire outlet to a newer, safer 4 wire outlet. Of course, no one will come to see what you had and if you changed it, etc.
Mose hardware stores, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. sell these cords for under $20. Make sure you choose a 30 amp dryer cord - and not the similar looking but thicker 50 amp stove or range cord.
I hope this helps & good luck! Please rate my reply.
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