Connecting 4-wire recectacle 14-30r dryer power cord. i've removed neutral ground wire from dryer external ground conductor and connected it with neutral white cord wire onto center silver-colored terminal block screw. i've connected cord green ground wire to dryer external ground conductor screw. the instructions say to connect the remaining cord black and red wires to outer terminal block screws but it doesn't tell me which color goes to the right and which one to the left of the center silvered-colored terminal block screw. thanks for your help

It is your responsibility

To contact a qualified electrical installer.

To be sure that the electrical connection is adequate and in
conformance with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA
70-latest edition and all local codes and ordinances.
The National Electric Code requires a 4-wire supply
connection for homes built after 1996, dryer circuits involved
in remodeling after 1996, and all mobile home installations.
A copy of the above code standards can be obtained from:
National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park,
Quincy, MA 02269.

To supply the required 3 or 4 wire, single phase, 120/240 volt,
60 Hz., AC only electrical supply (or 3 or 4 wire, 120/208 volt
electrical supply, if specified on the serial/rating plate) on a
separate 30-amp circuit, fused on both sides of the line. A
time-delay fuse or circuit breaker is recommended. Connect
to an individual branch circuit. Do not have a fuse in the
neutral or grounding circuit.

Do not use an extension cord.

If codes permit and a separate ground wire is used, it is
recommended that a qualified electrician determine that the
ground path is adequate.
Electrical Connection
To properly install your dryer, you must determine the type of
electrical connection you will be using and follow the instructions
provided for it here.

If local codes do not permit the connection of a neutral ground
wire to the neutral wire, see "Optional 3-wire connection"
section.

This dryer is manufactured ready to install with a 3-wire
electrical supply connection. The neutral ground wire is
permanently connected to the neutral conductor (white wire)
within the dryer. If the dryer is installed with a 4-wire electrical
supply connection, the neutral ground wire must be removed
from the external ground conductor screw (green screw), and
secured under the neutral terminal (center or white wire) of the
terminal block. When the neutral ground wire is secured under
the neutral terminal (center or white wire) of the terminal block,
the dryer cabinet is isolated from the neutral conductor.

A 4-wire power supply connection must be used when the
appliance is installed in a location where grounding through
the neutral conductor is prohibited. Grounding through the
neutral is prohibited for (1) new branch-circuit installations,
(2) mobile homes, (3) recreational vehicles, and (4) areas
where local codes prohibit grounding through the neutral
conductors.

As I understand you, you have a 4-wire receptacle in the wall and have just acquired a used dryer, that has an older, 3-wire cord attached. You need to change the dryer cord to connect to the existing 4-wire receptacle in the wall. (Dryers sold new, retail do not come with a cord attached so I assume that this must be a used dryer with an existing cord).

If this dryer has a 3-wire cord attached, it MUST be replaced with a newer 4-wire cord, per the National Electrical Code, as you have a 4-wire receptacle. (However I see no reason that you could not use your existing 4-wire cord from your soon-to-be-replaced dryer, if it's still in good shape).

In older dryers, wired with an existing 3-wire cord, there is usually a metal link provided between the center lug (the neutral lug) and a ground connection on the metal chassis. If it's present, this link MUST BE REMOVED WHEN CONNECTING A 4-WIRE CORD. This is very, very, very important.
The reason is, under a fault condition, current could be carried by the neutral conductor (in a 220-volt circuit, the white wire carries the neutral or unbalanced current. There is no neutral in a 120-volt circuit, even though some people think there is).
The presence of this current can be shunted onto the metal frame of the dryer, making it hot to earth ground (until the circuit breaker pops) and providing a possible shock hazard to a person touching the dryer). Removing this link, removes this potential hazard.

When wiring a 4-wire cord, the white wire in connected to the center lug, the two black conductors (could be a black and a red) are connected to either of the lugs on either side of the center lug, and the green conductor is connected to the metal cabinet. (Once you have the metal junction box cover removed from the dryer, you will see a screw driven into the metal cabinet provided to connect the green wire).

Again, when using a 4-wire cord, there must be no connection between the metal cabinet and the neutral connection through the use of a metal link. It must be removed and discarded.

Ok, so you currently have a three prong cord on your dryer? Your house has a 4 prong receptacle? Ok so now you've purchased a 4 prong dryer pigtail? Be sure cord is unplugged. Remove cover of junction in back of dryer. You will see three terminals. They should be labeled something like L1,L2,N . ON one terminal you well see a small ground strip This is currently connecting the neutral terminal to ground. On the new cord connect the outside two conductors to L1 +L2 connect the white conductor to the N terminal. Connect the green (ground) conductor to the frame where the copper bonding was. This seperates the neutral conductor from the equipement grounding conductor.

To connect power cord:
• Remove the screws from the cover of the
junction box located at the top rear of the dryer.
• Loosen/remove the two screws on the strain
relief clamp and remove from 4-wire supply
cord.
• The strain relief splits into two indentical parts.
• Insert the large flange of both sections into the
hole located on the left side of the junction box
housing. The short flange of both sections and
screws must remain positioned on the external
side of the junction box housing.
• Insert the 4- wire supply cord through both
sections of the strain relief and re-install strain
relief screws, do not fully tighten until electrical
connections are complete.
• Attach the power cord ground conductor (green
wire) to the ground terminal marked with the
ground symbol. Tighten screw until ground
conductor is secure. (See Fig. 7)
• Attach the power cord neutral conductor (white
wire) to the neutral terminal. (marked N)
Tighten screw until neutral conductor is secure.
(See Fig. 7)
• Attach the power cord phase conductor (black
wire) to the phase terminal (marked L3).
Tighten screw until power conductor is secure.
(See Fig. 7)
• Attach the power cord phase conductor (red
wire) to the phase terminal (marked L1).
Tighten screw until power conductor is
secure.(See Fig. 7)
• Tighten the screws on the strain relief so that
the power cord cannot be moved.
• Re-install the cover of the junction box and
secure with four screws removed earlier.
• The dryer is now ready to be connected to the
power supply receptacle.

This is from the manual for the Danby DCD5505W. You did not give the model # so I went off of what you listed it under.

Good Luck and please rate 4 thumbs for the free answer.

The following link explains how to properly convert a 3-prong power cord to a 4-prong:

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

The main difference is how the Neutral and Ground wires are terminated. In a 4-wire configuration, the Ground and Neutral are INDEPENDENT of each and are NOT terminated together.

Match the correcsponding wire colors at the terminal block and make sure the grounding strap (if installed)on the Neutral (White) terminal is removed. The ground wire will be connected separately to a ground lug on the equipment cabinet.

NOTE: If the wires are not color coded, the outer two wires (left and right) are the HOT leads. The center conductor is Neutral.

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

If you are connecting a power cord with a 3-wire configuration, you match the corresponding wire colors from the power cord to the wires on the terminal block in the back of the dryer. The correct color-code is as follows:

RED - HOT (120VAC)
BLACK - HOT (120VAC)
WHITE - NEUTRAL (0VAC)*

*There should be a ground strap or ground wire connected to neutral at the terminal block in a 3-wire configuration.

NOTE: If the wires are not color-coded, the outer two wires (Left and Right) are the HOT leads. The center conductor is Neutral.

If you have any questions, you can refer to this link for further explanation:

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

This explains the difference in 4-wire and 3-wire configurations. I hope this helps you.

The following link explains how to connect a power cord to your appliance:

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

If the wires at the terminal block have no colored wires, the outer two conductors (left and right) are the two hot leads. The center conductor is neutral. Ground should be self-explanatory. Ground and neutral are NOT terminated together in a 4-wire configuration. Make sure you attach the ground to the ground lug on the appliance equipment cabinet. If you have any questions, please let me know. I hope this helps you.

The two wires on either side of the power cord are your HOT leads. They are the voltage carrying conductors. These two wires will connect to the terminal block on the RED and BLACK wires. The middle wire is NEUTRAL and goes to the WHITE wire at the terminal block. Now...with a 3-wire configuration you will need to connect a grounding strap to the neutral wire and ground it to the grounding lug of the appliance. The following link explains:

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

The main difference between 3 and 4 wire configuration is how the neutral and ground wires are installed. In a four wire configuration these two are independent of each other. In a 3 wire configuration ground and neutral are connected together.

If you have any questions about this repair, please ask me. I hope this helps you.

This is a common question we receive and a common mistake most every general contractor makes that we work with. With a 3-wire system your neutral terminal will have a copper clad or aluminum strap or green wire connected between it and the frame. You need to remove this when changing to a 4-wire cord.
Terminate the wires from your new 4-wire cord as black to black terminal, white to white terminal, red to red terminal and green to ground screw on frame. This is the other end of that strap or green wire you need to remove from the white (neutral) terminal.
When changing to a 4-wire cord it is very important to remove the strap or wire that connects between the white terminal and the dryer’s frame. If you do not remove this, your neutral or grounded conductor will allow electricity to flow through your dryer’s frame and shock you each time you touch your dryer.

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
ELECTRIC Dryer
CIRCUIT - Individual 30 amp. branch circuit fused with 30
amp. time delay fuses or circuit breakers.
Use separately fused circuits for washers and dryers, and DO
NOT operate a washer and a dryer on the same circuit.
POWER SUPPLY - 3 wire or 4-wire, 240 volt, single phase, 60
Hz, Alternating Current.
POWER SUPPLY CORD KIT - The dryer MUST employ a 3-
conductor power supply cord NEMA 10-30 type SRDT rated at
240 volt AC minimum, 30 amp., with 3 open end spade lug
connectors with upturned ends or closed loop connectors and
marked for use with clothes dryers.
WARNING – Risk of Shock. Appliance grounded to neutral
conductor through a link. Grounding through the neutral link is
prohibited for (1) New branch circuit installations (2) mobile
homes; (3) recreational vehicles; and (4) areas where local codes
do not permit grounding through the neutral, (1) disconnect the
link from the neutral, (2) use grounding terminal or lead to
ground appliance in accordance with local codes and (3) connect
neutral terminal or lead to branch circuit neutral in usual manner
(if the appliance is to be connected by means of a cord kit, use
4-conductor cord for this purpose). USE COPPER CONDUCTOR
ONLY. The dryer MUST employ a 4-conductor power supply
cord NEMA 14-30 type SRDT or ST (as required) rated at 240
volt AC minimum, 30 amp., with 4 open end spade lug
connectors with upturned ends or closed loop connectors and
marked for use with clothes dryers.

The complete installation manual is at ftp://ftp.electrolux-na.com/ProdInfo_PDF/Webster/134917700es.pdf