Kenmore Dryer Model #11060932990 Proper grounding when changing 4 prong cord to 3 prong.
I have a Kenmore Dryer Model #11060932990 that has a 4 prong cord. I need to change it to a 3 prong cord and cannot find the manual. The 4 prong had an additional ground wire that attached to the dryer case. My dryer starts, but I am unsure if it is safe. Is it necessary to use a grounding strap from the case to the neutral wire on this model?
It would be a better and safer idea to change the receptacle from a three prong to a four prong. You would also be in compliance with the electrical code. That being said, here is the info you will need to go either way.
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The metal strap connects the neutral to the housing ground connection when using a 3-prong cord. It may have been removed when the 4-prong cord was installed.
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.
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.
Hi,
White, green green/white striped they are all the same....only thing you really have to worry about is that you have the red and black in the proper places...
Here is a tip that will help you with changing your dryer plug.
Dryer Cord and Wiring Dryer 3 Wire or 4 Wire
Changing from 3 to 4 wire hookup on a electric dryer: Power cord help for 3 & 4 prong dryer cords This is an example of a three wire connection dryer cord hookup. Notice that there is a ground strap connected from the common center terminal to the frame of the terminal block. Place the center wire of the cord on the center terminal [ one with the ground ******** it ] and the other two wires will be placed on the outer terminals and it doesn't matter which wire goes right or left. Get the center wire of the cord right and you are in business. This is an example of the 4 wire dryer cord hookup. Notice that the ground strap has been removed from the terminal block frame and folded back onto the center terminal for storage. You can see the colors of the other hookups. TIP: White always to the middle.
It would be a better and safer idea to change the receptacle from a three prong to a four prong. You would also be in compliance with the electrical code. That being said, here is the info you will need to go either way.
Yes, a 3-prong DOES have a NEUTRAL wire. That would be the WHITE terminal. A 3-prong does not have a separate ground. The NEUTRAL is usually grounded at the appliance casing by a jumper wire.
Read in the "Additional Notes" section on how to convert from a 4-prong to 3-prong. Also note that some of the newer appliances require a 4-prong plug in order to run correctly. I have a Kenmore HE3 model dryer that is currently using a 3-prong power cord. Since this model Kenmore is manufactured by Whirlpool, and is identical to the Duet, you should be okay with a 3-prong plug.
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