I need to change the electrical cord from a four wire to a 3 wire and i want to make sure i do it rite. i do not have a manual. its a kenmore 80 series electric dryer 220v model #11062812101

Unplug the dryer then remove the terminal block cover and disconnect the 3-prong cord from the dryer. Note that the cord has red , black, and white wires but sometimes the red and black wires are both replaced by same color wire, usually gray and can switch places. There's also a ground strap wire also connected to the center terminal together with the white (neutral) wire.

Get yourself a 4-prong cord and note that it has red, black, white, and green/yellow wires but sometimes, like the 3-pronged one, the red and black wires are both replaced by same color wire, usually gray and can also switch places. All you have to do now is connect the 3 wires in the same manner they are connected as 3-prong cord to the terminal block. The ground strap wire now just need to be connected to the remaining 4th wire, the green/yellow wire instead of the center terminal together with the white (neutral) wire. Reinstall the terminal block cover and it's done.

It can be observed that converting a 3-prong cord to 4-prong cord is merely splitting the neutral line and the ground thereby increasing the number of prongs from 3 to 4 whereas, on the other hand, converting a 4-prong cord to 3-prong cord is merely joining the neutral line (white) and the ground (green/yellow) thereby reducing the number of prongs from 4 to 3.. The links below might enlighten you further on this matter.

Four-prong to Three-prong Electric Dryer Conversion
Three-prong to Four-prong Electric Dryer Conversion

<span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang="EN">Hi,<br />Here is a tip that will help you with changing your dryer plug.<br /><br />Dryer Cord and Wiring Dryer 3 Wire or 4 Wire<br /><a href="http://www.fixya.com/support/r4496386-dryer_cord_wiring_dryer_3_wire_or_4_wire" target="_blank">http://www.fixya.com/support/r4496386-dryer_cord_wiring_dryer_3_wire_or_4_wire</a><br /><br />heatman101 <br style="mso-special-character: line-break" clear="all" /></span><br />

The following link explains how to correctly install a 220VAC appliance cord:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3575913-installing_a_220_vac_appliance_cord

Match the corresponding colors at the terminal block, making sure the Neutral (White) and Ground (Green or Bare Copper) wires are NOT terminated together.

If you have any questions, please post back and let me know. I hope this helps you.

Changing from 3 to 4 wire hookup on a electric dryer:
Power cord help for 3 & 4 prong dryer cords
This is an example of a three wire connection dryer cord hookup. Notice that there is a ground strap connected from the common center terminal to the frame of the terminal block. Place the center wire of the cord on the center terminal [ one with the ground ******** it ] and the other two wires will be placed on the outer terminals and it doesn't matter which wire goes right or left. Get the center wire of the cord right and you are in business.
This is an example of the 4 wire dryer cord hookup. Notice that the ground strap has been removed from the terminal block frame and folded back onto the center terminal for storage. You can see the colors of the other hookups. TIP: White always to the middle.

Below are a few websites.
http://www.applianceaid.com/general.html#3to4


http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsPath=10&newsdesk_id=5

These two pictures illustrate the power wiring on a the terminal of an electric dryer. The one on top is the old-style three-wire configuration. Most people have this type in their homes. New code changes, though, require that dryers now have a four-wire cord, shown on the bottom.
Besides the number of wires in each cord, there are two important things to notice. First, in the four-wire configuration, notice that the dryer's grounding strap is folded back on itself. The whole point of the four-wire cord is to separate the ground from the neutral. The green wire (the "new" extra wire in the four-wire cord) is attached to the dryer cabinet. In the three-wire configuration, the grounding strap is left intact and the neutral and ground are tied together.


Sure hope this helps you find a resolution to your delimma! Best wishes.

Wiring in a new power cord for your electric dryer? Upgrading your electric dryer outlet from the old three-prong to the new four-prong outlet? Well, grab hold of those two large lumps at the base of your spinal cord and let's romp through the wild and wacky world of dryer cords and outlets.

These two pictures illustrate the power wiring on a the terminal of an electric dryer. The one to the left here is the old-style three-wire configuration. Most people have this type in their homes. New code changes, though, require that dryers now have a four-wire cord, shown to the right. These are just just thumbnail pictures that you can click for a larger view. But I'll bet you already figured that out, didn't you?
Besides the number of wires in each cord, there are two important things to notice. First, in the four-wire configuration, notice that the dryer's grounding strap is folded back on itself. The whole point of the four-wire cord is to separate the ground from the neutral. The green wire (the "new" extra wire in the four-wire cord) is attached to the dryer cabinet. In the three-wire configuration, the grounding strap is left intact and the neutral and ground are tied together.
If you need to re-wire the outlet, these pictures will explain the anatomy of the three-prong (left) and four-prong (right) outlets. Once again, these pictures are just thumbnails--click 'em for a larger view.

Sure hope this helps you find a resolution to your delimma! Best wishes.

It would be a better and safer idea to change the receptacle from a three prong to a four prong. You would also be in compliance with the electrical code. That being said, here is the info you will need to go either way.

http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsPath=10&newsdesk_id=5

The following link explains how to convert a 3-prong appliance cord to a 4-prong and vice-versa:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r793520-3_prong_4_prong_power_cord_conversion

If you still have questions, please let me know. I hope this helps you.

I wouldn't worry about that, make sure you can fully see the terminal block where the wires install. Left to right usually is black, white and red. Make sure green is on ground at the case and if there is a white wire there already, just add the green to it. The cord also on a 4 wire is coded so just line up the colors.