Wiring for a 4-Prong Dryer Receptacle

A 4-prong dryer outlet is wired as a 120/240-volt circuit.

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The outlet may be a special surface-mount receptacle or a standard dryer receptacle installed in a surface-mounted box.

Receptacle with a 4-prong secured to the wall

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How you connect the cable or wires into the box will depend on the installation.

Connect the white neutral wire to the silver-colored (neutral) terminal on the outlet.

In some styles, you may need to loop the wire around a screw terminal before screwing it down.

Materials and tools to wire a 4-prong receptacle for a dryer

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Secure them to the two hot terminals on the outlet.

implement the outlet cover plate.

Prepare to set up the Circuit Breaker

Turn off the maincircuit breakerin the service panel.

NM cable and THHN/THWN wires pulled from inside a surface mounted outlet box

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Remove the panel cover to expose the panel wiring.

Locate two adjacent empty slots in the service panel where the double-pole breaker will fit.

Remove the slot tabs on the panel cover where this breaker will be located.

Bare copper ground wire connected to the outlet ground screw with screwdriver

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Strip about 3/4-inch of insulation from the ends of thewhite, black, and red wires.

Now, test the branch circuits inside the panel with a voltage tester to confirm the power is off.

Carefully fold the excess wire and arrange it along the outer edge of the panel.

White neutral wire connected to the silver-colored terminal on the outlet with screwdriver

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Carefully fold the excess wire and tuck it along the edge of the service panel.

Carefully fold the excess wire and tuck it along the edge of the service panel.

Press the breaker down firmly until it snaps into place.

Red and black wires stripped and secured to hot terminals on outlet

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Finish the Installation

Reinstall the panel cover.

Turn off all the branch circuit breakers in the panel.

Turn on the main breaker, then switch on each of the branch circuits, one at a time.

Outlet inserted into recessed outlet box and secured with mounting screws

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Test the Outlet

Use avoltage testerto verify that the dryer outlet is carrying power.

When to Call a Professional

This project requires a good knowledge ofand experience working withelectrical circuits.

If you are not certain, it is best to have this work done by a professional electrician.

Service panel wiring inserted through side of panel and secured with cable clamp

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Tips for Installing a Dryer Outlet

Electrical Safety: Safety and Health for Electrical Trades.

United States Department of Health and Human Services.

NEC 2017.National Fire Protection Association.

Ground wire connected to service panel’s ground bus bar

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Home Wiring Hazards.Consumer Products Safety Commission.

2017 NEC Edition Chapter 60 Building Code Standards Part 6 Electrical Installations.

Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

White neutral circuit wire by inserted into the panel’s neutral bus bar

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Red and black hot circuit wires inserted into breaker slots and tightened with screwdriver

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Breaker pressed into mounting hooks adjacent to hot bus bar

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Service panel cover replaced and secured with screwdriver

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Yellow voltage tester checking power in receptacle outlet

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4-prong appliance cord from dryer installed into outlet

The Spruce / Kevin Norris