Changing my dryer cord from 4 prong to 3 prong

Question

I have a new washer that has a 4 prong cord my outlet is 3 prong. How do i change it. Where does the green line go? I am nervous am I going to electrocute myself?

Answer 1

Inspect the old service cord from the old dryer, if it is not discolored than i would use it. look at the prongs and where it screws to the back of the dryer no color change it will be ok to use. white and green go to the middle lug of the terminal block. All dryers use a 30 amp service!

Answer 2

New code requires the four wire cord, but if your house is wired for three wire it is also acceptable, so changing the cord from 4 wire to 3 wire is ok.  Here's a link showing how to do this:  http://fixitnow.com/appliantology/dryerc...

Update:

Now I'm confused as to whether you are changing the cord on the dryer or the outlet on the wall with your additional questions.  If you are changing the outlet on the wall and you have all four wires in the outlet wire it as shown in the picture with the following definitions:  The two connections marked LINE are the 120V connections (normally black and red).  The connection marked NEUTRAL is the White wire.  The connection marked GROUND is the bare copper wire.  

If you are changing the Dryer cord to a three prong, follow the pictorial which shows where the three wires in the cord go, and that you ground the case to the center conductor (neutral).

Answer 3

In USA, the wiring should be

RED: Hot

BLACK: Common

Green; Ground.

ALWAYS / ALWAYS (I cannot repeat myself enough times, here) ALWAYS TURN OFF THE POWER AT THE FUSE BOX BEFORE EXPOSING ANY WIRES.

Answer 4

The prongs on the power cord are designed to be only used with a certain amperage, you will have to change the outlet to match the power cord and that brings up another problem, is the breaker in the box large enough to handle new amperage, take my advice and call the fellows that are licensed to do the work, this way if something goes wrong your insurance will cover it. If you are in an apartment I hope you have renters insurance. The papers that came with the washer will have the amp draw.