How to Install a Dryer Electrical Cord

By
Timothy Thiele
Timothy Thiele

Timothy Thiele has an associate degree in electronics and is an IBEW Local #176 Union Electrician with over 30 years of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial wiring.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 09/16/22
Reviewed by
Larry Campbell
Larry Campbell
Reviewed by Larry Campbell

Larry Campbell is an electrical contractor with 36 years of experience in residential and light commercial electrical wiring. He worked as an electronic technician and later an engineer for the IBM Corp. is a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Fact checked by
Jessica Wrubel
Jessica Wrubel
Fact checked by Jessica Wrubel
Jessica Wrubel has an accomplished background as a writer and copy editor, working for various publications, newspapers and in public libraries assisting with reference, research and special projects. In addition to her journalism experience, she has been educating on health and wellness topics for over 15 years in and outside of the classroom.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Electrical cord installed in back of dryer machine with screwdriver

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 1 hr
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $12 to $25

Electric clothes dryers are usually sold without power cords attached, and as annoying as that may be, there's a good reason for this omission. In 1996, the ​National Electrical Code (NEC) changed the requirements for electric dryer wiring and cord connections. The old cords had three-prong plugs that fit three-slot wall outlets. In three-prong cords, there were two hot wires, with the third wire serving as both the neutral and the ground connection. To make this work, the dryer was configured so that the chassis' ground connection was "jumpered" to the neutral connection by means of a small metal strap in the connection box.

All this changed with the 1996 code revision, where new installations required that dryer outlets must be wired to accept four-prong cords, with separate neutral and ground wires. This also required a slightly different configuration in the dryer's connection box, in which the neutral and ground terminals were no longer jumpered together. This configuration slightly improves the protection against shock, since the machine's chassis now has its own grounding pathway.

The NEC (and most local building codes) still permit the use of three-prong dryer cords in houses that have the old style of dryer outlet. And since your dryer might be older or newer than your outlet, dryer manufacturers don't bother giving you an appliance cord because it might not work for your situation. That's why the cords are sold separately.

This project shows you how to install a new four-prong dryer cord for use with a four-slot outlet, which has been the standard for more than 20 years. Alternatively, if your house has an old three-slot dryer outlet, you can install a three-prong dryer cord on your new dryer to make it compatible with a three-slot dryer outlet.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Screwdriver or nut driver

Materials

  • UL-listed, four-prong dryer cord (must match amp rating for dryer and outlet; most are 30-amp)
  • Strain-relief fitting (must be an appropriate size and shape for the cord)

Instructions

Materials and tools to install a dryer electrical cord

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  1. Expose the Wire Connection Block

    Locate the electrical cover plate on the back of the dryer. It will be near a hole about 3/4-inch in diameter in the dryer's back panel. Using a screwdriver or nut driver, remove the screws on the cover plate. Remove the plate from the dryer to expose the wiring terminal block for the cord connections. Set the plate and screws aside.

    Electrical cover plate pulled out of from back of dryer to expose the wiring terminal block for the cord connections

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Install the Cord

    Insert the dryer cord into the hole near the terminal block. Secure the green cord wire under the ground screw on the dryer body. Tighten the ground screw firmly with the screwdriver or nut driver.

    Tip

    There should be no wire or metal tab connecting the ground screw to the center (neutral) terminal on the terminal block. If there is, the dryer is set up for a three-prong cord. You must remove this connection, following the dryer manufacturer's instructions.

    Dryer cord installed through hole near terminal block in back of dryer

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Connect the Cord Wires

    Connect the remaining three cord wires to the terminals on the terminal block. Start by connecting the white cord wire to the center (neutral) terminal on the block. Then, connect the black cord wire to the terminal at the left or right of the center terminal; the left and right terminals are the hot terminals and are interchangeable.

    Finally, connect the red cord wire to the remaining hot terminal.

    Tighten all terminal connections firmly, using the screwdriver or nut driver.

    White cord wire connected to the center (neutral) terminal on the block

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

    Black cord wire connected to the terminal at the right of the center

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

    Red cord wire connected to the remaining hot terminal

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

    Terminal connections tightened firmly with screwdriver

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Secure the Cord

    Install a new strain-relief fitting to secure the cord where it enters the dryer panel. These fittings typically have a top and bottom half. Remove the screws from the fitting and separate the two halves. Insert the tab of each half into the dryer cord hole, so it is flat against the inside of the dryer panel. Fit the two halves over the cord and reinstall the fitting's screws. Tighten the screws so the cord is held firmly, but make sure the fitting does not deform the cord or pinch the insulation.

    Strain-relief fitting secured with screwdriver around cord on top and bottom

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  5. Reattach the Cover Plate

    Set the cover plate into place over the terminal block, and secure it with its mounting screws. Make sure all dryer controls are off and plug in the dryer to the four-slot outlet. Turn on the dryer and test it for proper function.

    Tip

    Make sure to connect the dryer's vent duct before using the dryer to dry clothes.

    Cover plate reattached with screwdriver on back of dryer

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Variation for Three-Prong Cords

If you happen to have an older three-slot dryer outlet, the electrical code does allow you to install a three-prong cord to fit that outlet. The installation process is much the same as four-prong cords with one exception:

In the dryer's wire connection box, there must be a metal jumper between the center neutral terminal and the ground terminal. If you are installing a three-prong cord, the center wire (the ground/neutral wire) is connected to this center ground/neutral connection, and the other two wires are connected to outer terminals (both hot) on the dryer.

Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. NC Amendment 250.140 Frames of Ranges and Clothes Dryers. Electrical Continuing Education & Electrical License Renewal Services.