Can I convert my 4-prong electric clothes dryer to fit a 3-prong socket?
The correct way is to change the cord, not the receptacle. When you do change the cord on the back of the dryer from a 4 prong to 3 prong you MUST bond the ground and neutral together with a bonding strap. This should be covered in the dryer manual or possibly a sticker attached to the back of the dryer. >>> For those who say that this is not true or illegal I would like for them to please refer to NEC Article 250.140 which explicitly permits this installation! This also can be verified by a licensed electrician or by visiting a reputable professional electricians forum. <<< The 3 prong arrangement came about in WW2. An exception was made in the NEC to allow the frames of ranges and dryers to be grounded by bonding to the neutral of the cord. This saved copper for the war effort. However this exception was not removed until the 1996 NEC code cycle when all new installations were required to use a 4 wire arrangement where the neutral and ground were separated. The exception was only val
