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    blessedmom's Avatar
    blessedmom Posts: 104, Reputation: 6
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    #1

    Feb 11, 2009, 07:33 AM
    Dryer electrical cord
    Hi, My sister has a great dryer but the cord won't fit into the electrical socket. She said she can't not replace the cord. Is it possible to cut off the prongs strip the wire and put a new prong on the cord? Am I making any sense? Would it be cheaper to get a new outlet put in?


    c
    rwinterton's Avatar
    rwinterton Posts: 289, Reputation: 15
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    #2

    Feb 11, 2009, 09:37 AM

    It's possible if the correct number of conductors is present and if the mating receptacle exposes those same conductors.

    If it were up to me, I'd purchase a separate cord with the plug molded onto the end. The cost is probably about the same.

    Many localities specify the type of dryer outlet (mine does). If yours does, and if the outlet is not what is specified, I'd replace it. Otherwise, I'd leave it.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #3

    Feb 11, 2009, 02:08 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by blessedmom View Post
    She said she can't not replace the cord. Is it possible to cut off the prongs strip the wire and put a new prong on the cord?
    She, or someone, certainly CAN replace the cord. That is how it is done.
    You match the cord to the receptacle.

    If it is wrong now it is most probable that you do not have the conductors required in the existing cord. Besides, rwinterton is right. The male end cap is likely more expensive and harder to replace that the whole cord. A dryer cord is about $10 bucks.
    blessedmom's Avatar
    blessedmom Posts: 104, Reputation: 6
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    #4

    Feb 11, 2009, 03:11 PM

    I'm going over her house today to look at it. She said she already thought about that and it can't be replaced. I will reply tomorrow after looking at it.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
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    #5

    Feb 11, 2009, 03:13 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by blessedmom View Post
    I'm going over her house today to look at it. She said she already thought about that and it can't be replaced. I will reply tomorrow after looking at it.
    If it is an electric clothes dryer made for the American market the cord CAN 100% be replaced.
    MrUrquell's Avatar
    MrUrquell Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Feb 12, 2009, 09:08 AM
    The cord (called a pigtail) most certainly can be replaced. I would recommend getting one that matches the receptacle. The electrical outlet can be replaced as well.

    That being said, she needs to know whether the receptacle is 220 volt or 110 volt. Most dryers are 220 volt and have large "prongs" usually in a pattern of 3 with odd shapes. If the receptacle is 110 volt it will look like any standard household electrical outlet. A 220 volt dryer might "work" on a 110 volt outlet but it would take twice as long to dry things if it did.

    It would pay to have an electrician handle it.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #7

    Feb 12, 2009, 01:40 PM
    Electric dryers made for the US market are 120/240v appliances. Meaning they have both 120 and 240v loads in the same appliance.

    Changing the receptacle is rarely an option as the required conductors are not typically available if the circuit is older.
    Older circuits were still 120/240v with two hots and a neutral, but no dedicated ground. Commonly called "3-wire" receptacles. In these receptacles the neutral also served as the ground.
    Modern codes have been in place for quite a while now and require "4-wire" receptacles with the two hots, a neutral plus a dedicated ground.

    If a 3-wire receptacle exists you CAN still use it with the proper cord.
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