Ok. I posted this before a few minutes ago some responses but with the additional information and questions I have I thought it'd be best to post it again.
Is it safe...50 amp dryer cord changed out to a 30 amp one???..Also...how to do it?
I'm just wondering if it is safe to do and also if anyone has a link to somewhere online that shows how to do it. Neither one of us has ever changed out a dryer cord before so any help we can get or advice on the matter would be appreciated.
We were given a dryer for our new place we just moved into but the cord we have on it does not fit our outlet. The cord we have currently from what I can figure from online is a 50 amp cord with 3 flat / shaped prongs on it (see below link to a picture of what I mean-bottom row on website). The outlet we have though from what I gather is a 30 amp one and has 2 flat / shaped openings and the other opening looks like an upside down backwards upper case "L" (see below link-second row of pictures on website).
http://www.appliancedirectparts.com/Cords.html
Any help and advice on the matter is very appreciated.
Thank you.
Additional Details;
After reading the responses I got I have a few more details to add to it. Someone asked about the amps on the dryer itself. The only label I found that has the model number on it also has some information on it as well that I think may be what they are wanting to know.
It says (exactly):
120/208V 24A 60Hz
And underneath that it gives a second set of numbers:
120/240V 26A 60Hz
And underneath that it says that those numbers are for whether you have a 3 or 4 prong plug. I'm guessing this model originally had two different versions of plugs.
Also if it helps the model number is:
REX3514RQO
It's a Roper dryer.
Also out of curiosity does anyone know if the cord I'm trying to change out is even the original cord? Or what is the original cord for this model? We got this dryer from a family member who tends to fix things his self and I'm wondering if this is even the original cord.
Also with the above information would it be safe to change it to a 30amp cord?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Yes, your dryer should have a 30 cord if it draws 24 amps. (A 50 amp receptacle should be protected by a 50 amp breaker, and a 24 amp dryer could suffer a major failure and not trip a 50 amp breaker).
Somebody probably had the wrong receptacle at the previous location and thought it would be easier to change the cord that the receptacle.
15 amps is the smallest available domestic electrical outlet. 20amps is the next size up. For the definitive answer, find the nameplate on the back of the AC. It will list the amps there. If not it will list either the watts or VA. Take either and divide by 120 to get amps. If the AC draws less than 13 amps, your new cord is OK.
i think your making this more complicated than it really is, the old cord was for a range, it will also work on you dryer, other owners just had a range wall plug so they got the cord to match it, just put you cord on just like the other is installed, outside wires to outside screws, and middle wire to middle screw