My dryer is not working i was told i am only getting 5amps to the outlet what should i change?

Question

My dryer is not working i was told i am only getting 5amps to the outlet what should i change?

Answer 1

if ur only getting 5 amps then u need the breaker checked and the electric check at the meter......15 amp breaker is the smallest ....

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 2

Normally, an electric dryer in the US requires a 30 amp circuit and pulls between 20 and 25.  5 amps out of a circuit is absurd almost anyplace - the lowest common breaker in US is 15 amp and 20 is more common on 110 volt circuits.

  If it was measured by using an ammeter after putting a load on the outlet, then it might be accurate for the wiring and indicates that the wiring is damaged.  If it was done by measuring the amps as the drier tried to run, then it may be the circuit or it may be the drier.  This doesn't happen very often so getting someone to check it may be a problem.  Voltage and Amperage readings need to be done at several places, starting at the breaker panel.

Answer 3

The outlet where you plug the dryer in, to one which has more than 5 amps to it.

Or the dryer, to one which takes less than 5 amps.

Are we talking hair dryer or tumble dryer? And US or Europe? 5 amps in the US is about 550 watts - not much at all. 5 amps in Europe is about 1200 watts, which is a bit better. However, neither are great for a dryer.

Answer 4

Your repairman.  Amperage is controlled by the circuit breaker.  It can only be measured when the circuit has a load on it.  How did this person arrive at 5 amps?  What did he actually check?

   I suspect that the 5 amps came from the motor running, but the unit has a broken drum belt.  This would account for the unit pulling 5 amps, and the drum not turning.   Good Luck and God Bless.