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dgeniesse · Aug 19, 2012, 08:22 AM

Brought a standard brand dryer to Canada. I notice the Canadian wall outlets are similar but different (inverted?). I can get a new pig tail and rewire, but I was wondering if short converters are available. Maybe a cord with USA female on one end and Canadian plug on the other.

Doug

hkstroud · Aug 19, 2012, 11:22 AM

Tell us what you mean by inverted. Will the existing plug fit into the outlet?

drtom4444 · Aug 19, 2012, 09:27 PM

I would not get a converter even if possible. Just change pigtails. It's very simple.

dgeniesse · Aug 19, 2012, 09:36 PM

On closer look - I believe it is the same prong set up - except the Canadian plugs have a round pin on the bottom. Mine is on the top. Its inverted. Same prongs but mounted in the rubber rotated 180.

Unfortunately I can't just turn the plug over as the outlet is mounted in an area with low top clearance. The cord points up instead of down.

I can rewire it (or have an electrician do it).

I was hoping I could get an extension cord which would give me space. Do they make extension cords for dryers?

Doug

drtom4444 · Aug 19, 2012, 09:49 PM

No, there is no such thing. Just turn off the breaker and remove the receptacle and turn it over. Just be careful to carefully bend the wires or unhook the wires and turn over plug then wire back up. It's real easy to do. Make sure to tighten screws well.

dgeniesse · Aug 20, 2012, 06:55 AM

Great answer! Here I am thinking about the plug and you opened my head to turning the receptacle innards - I feel embarrassed. I always like the elegant solutions. This was elegant! No fuss, no muss, minimal safety risk and me - the dyslexic guy - can even do it!

Thank you all for your ideas. You all helped me think, which is better then just telling me the solution. Through the process I got many "right" answers.

Thanks - Doug

drtom4444 · Aug 20, 2012, 07:59 AM

I'm glad to hear that you fixed the problem easily. I suggest that if the house is over 2 years old that you open the circuit breaker panel and tighten all of the screws that hold wires because over time they loosen from heating and cooling and then they cause a fire. That's how electrical fires get started. Where I live the screws were loose in the outlets and the wires burned off the insulation several inches until the outlets and switches were destroyed. I replaced them all and fixed things. You should also check the outlets, as well, especially outlets that draw a lot of current. It's more of a problem in the north.