ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues 4 Wire Dryer and Range Outlets a Good Idea?

gfretwell,

On the reasoning for 120/240V service to clothes dryers—they used to have labels showing operation on 120/240V OR 120V only. At 120V, the 240V 4500W heater would work at only ~1100W, but it was intended to as needed.

The remote possibility that someone might hook a dryer to 120v certainly does not justify 50 years of this violation. It doesn't address the 6-30 plug at all. The easiest "fix" would have been a U/L listing change in the Eisenhower or Truman administration.

gfretwell, read the original post once again. You did not understand what it said. Of course this situation would have best been corrected 50 years ago but as the post states, we will be seeing the hazardous situation increasing as the 4 wire corded dryers and ranges (used)are purchased by the uninformed and the cords are changed to the 3 wire cord they have in the rental unit they live in. Now the ground is missing and subject to having the case energised. And it is not by a remote chance. I am seeing it more and more. Would be nice if a large orange sticker would be attached to the back of the ranges and dryers warning that installing a 3 wire cord could produce a shock hazard. Might be a good suggestion to the manuf.
Ron

I know what started thwe thread but if U/L had simply made dryers be pure 240v loads we wouldn't have the 4 prong plug in the first place. When you figure dryers get replaced every 10 years or so and the receptacle goes on forever it looks like we solved the problem from the wrong end of the cord.

Actually, the cost differences do exist. It is slightly cheaper to wind a coil with fewer turns of heavier wire. In large quantities, those differences add up. My dad had a friend who worked at Ford and he said the auditors would happily cut your throat for a nickel a unit. An appliance manufacturer would do the same for far less.
Now, you can add to a standard and improve it but flat out changing one usually doesn't work. If the dryers just have a simple diagram in the box where the cord is terminated showintg the proper way to wire for both types of cord, there should be no great problem.

How much do you figure it costs the dryer and range business to maintain 2 cord standards?
If they had spent half as much retrofitting their dryers for 240v operation as they did lobbying NFPA to maintain their exception they would have been money ahead by the time LBJ took office.
I think it was Phil Simmonds who pointed out the war was over 30 years ago.

I think that would be a NEMA issue, not a UL issue.