4 Wire Dryer Cord Color Code

In a 4 wire circuit the neutral and ground are isolated.

4 wire dryer cord color code. There s a lot of confusion out there on how to wire a 4 wire cord on an electric dryer. The iec dc wiring color codes are adapted from iec ac wiring color codes. A 4 prong 30amp 250v dryer power cord will usually cost around 15 to 25 dollars if you buy it yourself. The nec requires that dryers have a dedicated circuit with a minimum of 30 amps.

This configuration did not include a dedicated ground connection. Wiring for a 4 prong dryer receptacle. For more information about dryer wiring wiring a dryer and power cord dryer wiring see an electric dryer installation with a typical 220 volt electric power cord wiring system. These rules are applicable in the uk eu and all other countries who follow the new iec color codes instead of local and regional codes.

The dryer s equipment ground case ground was connected to the neutral conductor in the dryer cord and the household circuit. Dryer cords are usually a maximum of six feet long as the code requires that an outlet be close to the connected appliance. This creates a separate return path for unused current. Due to changes in the national electrical code nec recommended wiring for electric clothes dryer outlets changed in 1996 before the change dryer outlets were 3 slot devices that accepted 3 prong cords.

If you search the web you find all kinda crazy and just plain wrong. A 4 wire cord consist of a 4 conductor cable with wires colored coded as black hot red hot white neutral and green ground. The connections on your dryer should have three connection terminals. This may save you around 40 dollars depending on what the electrician will charge for a new power cord.

The 120 volt service is for the dryer s timers sensors and other electronics while the 240 volt service supplies power to the heating elements. You may find yourself with either a 3 wire or 4 wire electric dryer or a 3 wire or 4 wire outlet. The 4 prong dryer cord is comprised of two hot wires a neutral wire and a ground wire. This article will explain what options you have to get your dryer wired and running.

If you will be calling an electrician to install the cord it may be cheaper for you to buy the 4 prong dryer cord beforehand.