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lenmccart · May 26, 2008, 06:07 PM

Hello,

Sorry for the probably really basic question but a Google search did not turn up anything conclusive.

I am looking to buy a new dryer, which is 220V electric. My wall socket says 250V on it.

Will the dryer work being plugged into the 250V? I am thinking that it will... but I thought I would check here.

Thanks!
Adam

stanfortyman · May 26, 2008, 06:14 PM

Your dryer is NOT 220v, nothing is any more. "220v" is an OLD outdated term we just can't seem to shake.

Your dryer is actually 120/240v. The receptacle should say 125/250v.

If the receptacle actually says "250v" it will NOT work. 250v is the rating of the receptacle, not the usage voltage. A 250v receptacle has NO neutral, which your dryer needs.

240v, or 120/240v, is only half the equation. What amperage is this circuit/receptacle?

lenmccart · May 26, 2008, 06:59 PM

My receptacle says "30A 250V" on it.

stanfortyman · May 26, 2008, 07:28 PM

That is NOT a dryer receptacle, although someone may have incorrectly use it as one. Depending on the circuit wire this could be VERY unsafe.

Do you know exactly what wire the circuit is using?

lenmccart · May 26, 2008, 07:37 PM

Stan (I assume that is your name?! )

I don't know anything about the socket except it is right next to my washer and dryer. I don't know what circuit it is on as I have never had anything plugged into it. My dryer is currently uses gas and I was hoping to be able to use this plug to run my dryer.

Washington1 · May 26, 2008, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by stanfortyman

That is NOT a dryer receptacle, although someone may have incorrectly use it as one. Depending on the circuit wire this could be VERY unsafe.

Do you know exactly what wire the circuit is using?

There is such a thing. It's a 3 phase 30A 250V receptacle.

Len,

The receptacle you have is not for residential.

You need to go shopping!:rolleyes:

lenmccart · May 26, 2008, 07:45 PM

Shopping for what?! (I am really really really a rookie at this!)

A standard 125/250 receptacle? Is that something I can just switch the plug out, or do I need to bring in a professional to rewire it?

stanfortyman · May 26, 2008, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Washington1

There is such a thing. It's a 3 phase 30A 250V receptacle.

3-phase?? How do you figure?

stanfortyman · May 26, 2008, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by lenmccart

Shopping for what?!? (I am really really really a rookie at this!)

A standard 125/250 receptacle? Is that something I can just switch the plug out, or do I need to bring in a professional to rewire it?

There is no such thing as a "standard" 125/250v receptacle. You need to know the amperage, which in this case is 30A.

You REALLY do need to tell us the exact wire being used before we go any further.

I think from the looks of it bringing in a pro might be a very good idea.

lenmccart · May 26, 2008, 07:59 PM

Here is a picture of the receptacle. In case you can't read it it says:

30A 250V

It is made by Leviton

Washington1 · May 26, 2008, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by stanfortyman

3-phase???? How do you figure?

I knew you wouldn't let this slide :)

Go here: http://www.passandseymour.com/pdf/B42.pdf

Washington1 · May 26, 2008, 08:39 PM

They also have a NEMA 15-50 that is three phase (Crazy)!

stanfortyman · May 27, 2008, 03:23 AM

I'm not sure what it was I could have let slide. I truly have NO Idea how you came up with 3-phase from this conversation. Especially since he specifically mentioned a 3-wire receptacle.

When I hear 250V-30A I think NEMA 6-30.

stanfortyman · May 27, 2008, 03:26 AM

Originally Posted by lenmccart

Here is a picture of the receptacle. In case you can't read it it says:

30A 250V

It is made by Leviton

OK!
That IS a 125/250v OLD dryer receptacle.

It is NOT a typical 30A-250v NEMA 6-30 receptacle.
It is an old NEMA 10-30 dryer receptacle.

You are FINE plugging your dryer in there.

lenmccart · May 27, 2008, 05:00 AM

Awesome... thanks so much Stan and Washington. I really appreciate the help. I am pleased to know I won't have to get anything rewired.

If the dryer comes with a 4 wire plug only, can I just get a 3 wire and everything will be OK?

Stratmando · May 27, 2008, 07:19 AM

If this is Not remodel, or new construction, You can keep the 3 wire receptacle and put 3 wire cord on new dryer. Jumper needs to be in place on center dryer terminal and dryer case.
If you upgrade to 4 wire and have 2 hots a neutral and ground, then the strap will be removed.

Washington1 · May 27, 2008, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by Stratmando

If this is Not remodel, or new construction, You can keep the 3 wire receptacle and put 3 wire cord on new dryer. Jumper needs to be in place on center dryer terminal and dryer case.
If you upgrade to 4 wire and have 2 hots a neutral and ground, then the strap will be removed.

Exactly!

OK!
That IS a 125/250v OLD dryer receptacle.

It is NOT a typical 30A-250v NEMA 6-30 receptacle.
It is an old NEMA 10-30 dryer receptacle.

You are FINE plugging your dryer in there.

Also correct!

Stan,

The 3-phase came up because you said there isn't such a thing---------It has NOTHING to do with the OP's receptacle outlet. OP Has a old style receptacle (Normal back in those days).

Personally, I would upgrade to a four wire.

lenmccart · May 27, 2008, 08:02 AM

I would like to upgrade to the 4 wire I think because of the safety reasons and it is more modern technology. My house was built in 1961 so it has pretty much everything OLD in it.

What is the procedure for upgrading to a 4 wire? Simple? Is there a website that would instruct me how to hook everything up when the time comes?

Stratmando · May 27, 2008, 12:13 PM

You will need 4 # 10's(2 hots, 1 neutral, and 1 ground)Neutral to Neutral bar, Ground to ground bar, 2 hots to breaker.
If the Dryer is currently 3 wire, you will need to unplug, remove cover at dryer connections, the 2 hots go to the outside terminals, then you have to remove a strap that connects center terminal to metal case, White connects to center terminal, the ground goes to the case(where you disconnected the strap).