50 amp plug on 30 amp circuit for dryer

Question

is there a safety problem using a 50 amp cord (labeled for range or dryer) for my dryer? The circuit breaker for my dryer is a 30 amp. My wall plug needs the configuration for the 50 amp, and my old dryer had the cord that fit into it. My new dryer has the wrong configuration for the wall plug. If I just go get a new cord that says "range or dryer) what would be the problem using it?

Answer 1

There should be either a NEMA 10-30R, or 14-30R receptacle where your dryer will plug in.

^{NEMA 10-30R}

^{NEMA 14-30R}

When you purchase an electric dryer, the store should also sell you a cord for the dryer. Most times they'll ask you which you need, or they'll just have both on hand if they're installing the dryer for you.

If the installers (or you) simply installed the wrong cord, you should just be able to replace the cord with the proper one. You'll need to install either a NEMA 10-30P 3-wire cord, or NEMA 14-30P 4-wire cord depending on which receptacle is in your home.

If for some reason the dryer requires 50 amperes, instead of 30. You'll have to replace the breaker, the wiring from the breaker to the receptacle, and the receptacle.

If there's a NEMA 10-50R, or 14-50R receptacle installed in the home on a 30 ampere circuit. You should replace the receptacle with the proper one. Receptacles and plugs are configured in different ways, to prevent things from being plugged into an undersized (incorrectly sized) circuit.

Answer 2

Using electrical hardware rated above the load is no problem at all. It appears your dryer area has a stove plug¹ instead of a dryer plug² , possibly the previous homeowner had one handy when they installed the dryer.

In the event you plug in a stove (or a 50-amp dryer), nothing will happen until Thanksgiving when you attempt to do the turkey - the 30-amp breaker will trip.

However, it's usually easier (and often cheaper) to change a wall plug than open up the new dryer. If the new dryer has a 30-amp plug on it already I would change the plug rather than the cord. Since we have to change one of them anyway lets change wrong to right rather than right to wrong x 2.

Don't forget to turn off the breaker.

1. 3 flat pins plus one round one
2. 2 flat pins, one L-shape, one round