[marykrhodes]

Hello,
I just moved into an older home and there is a stove plugged into an outlet that I have always associated with a dryer. How do I find out if the dryer can run from this outlet?

[joypulv]

A large single 220 volt outlet for a large plug is OK to use for a dryer or a stove.
It helps to learn your fuse box or circuit breaker box, even if you are renting, and to draw a diagram. That circuit will be 30 amps.

[joypulv]

Wait - older home... the 220 line could be 3 wire when you need 4 wire. You either need to test it with a multimeter or hire someone.

[stanfortyman]

A large single 220 volt outlet for a large plug is OK to use for a dryer or a stove.
It helps to learn your fuse box or circuit breaker box, even if you are renting, and to draw a diagram. That circuit will be 30 amps.

Sorry, this is not at all accurate.

A "large single 220 volt outlet", is absoutely NOT the same for a range and dryer.

First off, these circuits are 120/240v. They have two hots and a NEUTRAL.

Older codes allowed the omission of the ground wire and the equipment ground of the appliance was bonded internally to the neutral terminal.
This is what is generically called a 3-wire range or dryer circuit.

Newer codes do require a dedicated grounding conductor and 4-wire receptacles.

A range is typically a 40 or 50A circuit with a 50A receptacle.

A dryer is a 30A circuit with a 30A receptacle.

Generally the instructions with a dryer will be clear in that it should be connected to a 30A circuit.

[joypulv]

Sorry for the mistake

[donf]

Please note that the NEC requires that the range and dryer be on their own dedicated circuits. They cannot share the same circuit.