Changing Dryer Cord Help: Going from 3 Prong to 4 Prong?

Question

Hey guys,

We just moved into a new apartment which has an outlet with four prongs, our current dryer has three prongs. I've scoured yahooanswers as well as google, and have found very decent answers in how to change this. However, i've met a stumbling block:

I've purchased a new four prong cord to hook onto my old dryer. I understand that the two hots go on the two sides, and the neutral goes in the middle. However, this is where my problem comes: i'm not too sure with what to do with the ground.

Specifically, my dryer currently has a little green wire running from deep inside, and i'm not sure what to do with that. I've read that i either need to cut it off or put it with the neutral. What should i do to be safe?

Here is an article i found that shows what the back of my dryer kind of looks like like:

http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsPath=10&newsdesk_id=5

Should i just follow this?

I would love some detailed answers! thank you

Answer 1

Wire just like the bottom pic on your link..........Dont use ground. or wire to metal ground s***w.

Answer 2

Hook the two greens together inside the dryer

or hook the green to the same lug that the white is connected to

or get yourself a sheet metal s***w and fasten the green wire from the cord to the metal body of the dryer.

Answer 3

This question gets asked quite regularly and there is always at least one [usually more] that say to connect both green wires together.The green wire that is already on the dryer[not the one from the cord] is connected to the center neutral connection but it is connected on the back side of the block.This is why the picture show you to connect it to the same post as the neutral from the cord.Basically you just made it loop from one point on the neutral to another point on the same neutral and this disables it without removing it[saves it for future use if the dryer is move to a 3 prong outlet] If you were to connect the two green wires you would be bonding the ground and the neutral together.This would defeat the whole purpose of the fourth wire.You are trying to separate the ground and neutral because the neutral is returning power back to the panel for the 120 volt controls and the ground is a safety that should not have power on it unless there is a short in the system[which would trip the breaker]

Answer 4

Yep, wire as shown in the lower pic. Neutral and ground go to the same place electrically speaking.... The three wire is and older system still in use in most locales...YES even in CA ..The four wire system only separates the neut and ground until they are bonded at the main panel (called the GROUND BOND) AND ONLY IN RESIDENTIAL SINGLE  FAMILY DWELLINGS  in CA.       So no harm done in bonding the two before the panel and no code violation there unless the conductors are undersized and the strain relief is installed  (not shown in lower photo)   You will do fine HAPPY FOLDING

Answer 5

That's a great illustration of how to wire your dryer.  You can cut the small green wire, but it I would connect it to the neutral as shown.  Be sure to connect the green from the cord to the body of the dryer, and you will be set.  If the cord came with a strain relief clamp, you will want to use that as well, to ensure that the sheet metal from the dryer and the vibration do not puncture the insulation.  Good luck.