Answers to Electrical Questions About Wiring A New Dryer Power Cord, Wiring 110V Heaters with a Double Pole T-Stat, and Troubleshooting 105 Volts Between the Dryer and Faucet.

October 7, 2008

Question mark Kyle asks:
I have a maytag dryer with a red, white, and light blue wire. The new cord I’m installing is has a red, green, black, and white. I don’t know which to connect to what? I appreciate any and all help, thanks.

Answer:
Connect the green to the ground screw on the dryer’s frame. Connect the white to white, the red to red and the blue to black. It will also work if you connect the red to black and light blue to red.

Brian asks:
Hello, not sure if anyone might be able to answer this question. I have a couple of 110 volt radiant cove heaters. I have a double pole single throw thermostat. I was wondering if I could use the single thermostat ( rated at 22 amps at 110V) to run two heaters using individual circuits. That is one heater would be on a 20 amp single breaker, the other heater would be on another 20 amp single breaker. Each heater draws about 9 amps. I was wondering if I could wire these to the two pairs of wires on the double pole thermostat to heat my attached garage. I’d appreciate any thoughts.
thanks
Brian in Cheyenne

Answer:
To my knowledge this is not a code violation and you may do this However, I don’t recommend it. I recommend placing each heater on it’s own single pole thermostat.

If you elect to wire the heaters with the double pole thermostat, then you need to use a double pole circuit breaker instead of the 2 single poles. If you use the 2 single pole breakers, then it will be a code violation and you could possibly injure someone. I also recommend installing a 12/3 NM cable back to your breaker box instead of 2 – 12/2s. Then install a 12/2 with ground to each heater. The neutrals will wire nut through and not connect to the thermostat.

Jim asks:
I just bought a house and it came with an old dryer in the garage. I haven’t used it yet but when I was cleaning paint brushes in the sink next to it I touched my arm to the dryer and the sink and what a bite. I used my voltage meter and found 105 volts from the outside of the dryer to the sink. I thought it was the dryer so I disconnected and put in my dryer and it was the same thing. What could be wrong with the receptacle that the outside of the dryer is being charged to over 100 volts.

Answer:
There could be a number of different problems. The first thing that I recommend doing is turning off the circuit to the dryer receptacle and check voltage again. If the voltage is gone, then check the cable to see if there is a bare conductor laying on your water lines. If this is the case, then replace or repair the cable.

If this is not the problem, then check the receptacle to ensure it is wired properly. I recommend checking your water lines to ensure they are properly bonded to your electrical grounding system.

If the suggestions that I provided above do not solve your problem, then you will need to use my pay service (DIY Electrical Wiring Help from a Master Electrician) or hire a licensed or qualified electrician to troubleshoot this problem.

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Written by Wayne Gilchrist · Filed Under Electrical Installations & Repairs

Comments

2 Responses to “Answers to Electrical Questions About Wiring A New Dryer Power Cord, Wiring 110V Heaters with a Double Pole T-Stat, and Troubleshooting 105 Volts Between the Dryer and Faucet.”

Ricardo on October 23rd, 2008 8:19 am

i want to replace my thermostat for my electric baseboard heater the thermostat are wall mounted, how do i know if i have a SINGLE POLE thermostats or Double?

also i have separate thermostat one downstairs and one in each bedroom. i spend time downstairs and in my bedroom, should i use programable thermostate in each room or just the two?
alex on September 29th, 2009 7:47 pm

how high does the plug need to be off the floor from? to ?

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