How to Install a Dryer Outlet

outlet dangling from the wall
  • 6 hours
  • Advanced
  • 350
What You'll Need
Dryer outlet
Circuit breaker
Cable
Electrical screwdriver
Wire stripper
Connectors
Anchoring kit
Cordless drill
Multimeter
Pencil
What You'll Need
Dryer outlet
Circuit breaker
Cable
Electrical screwdriver
Wire stripper
Connectors
Anchoring kit
Cordless drill
Multimeter
Pencil

A clothes dryer outlet is a special type of electrical receptacle which is capable of providing enough power to satisfy the requirements of your dryer. For an electric dryer to work, it needs to be connected to an outlet supplying both a 220V and 110V sources. The 220V circuit is used to supply the heating element and the 110V circuit used for the motor to rotate the drum and operate the controls.

Whenever you're working with electricity, it's essential that you know exactly what you are doing. If you don't feel confident doing this by yourself, then you should consider hiring an expert.

Step 1 - Run the Wires

Start by running the cable out from the location of your electrical panel to where you are installing the dryer outlet. Run this across the floor so that you can work out the rough route.

Step 2 - Route Wires

electrical wires

Now it's time to hide the cables so that they're not visible. How you decide to do this will depend on the type and age of the property you have. You might choose to run the wires through the ceilings and down the walls, or under the floor. Chisel a channel in the walls to allow the wires to fit inside.

Step 3 - Strip Wire

Cut off the plastic sheath around the outside of the cable, you need to expose about six inches. Then adjust the wire strippers to cut away the inner sheath on the individual cables.

Step 4 - Wire up

The dryer receptacle now needs to be wired up. Feed the cable through the connector and tighten the screws to grip it firmly. Just make sure that you are clamping the insulated cable.

Step 5 - Position the Box

Hold the box up against the wall where you want it to go and draw around it with a pencil.

Step 6 - Cut the Hole

Use a small saw to cut around the outline of your shape or create several drill holes in sequence around the edge. Then a chisel can be used to get rid of the piece of plaster in the center of the hole. Once this has been removed, a standard electrical box can be fitted inside the wall and secured in the normal way, either by screwing or opening the clamps, depending on the type of wall you are fitting it into.

Step 7 - Wire

wiring an outlet

The earth wire first needs to be connected to the grounding screw, which is normally a bare copper or green wire. The neutral white wire can then be connected to the center silver screw terminal.

The remaining terminals now need to be wired up to the black and red wires. It doesn't matter which way around these go.

Step 8 - Fix the Face Plate

The faceplate of the dryer outlet can now be fixed onto the electrical outlet box in the wall.

Step 9 - Connect up

Now you just need to connect this new circuit into your home's electrical panel. Before doing this, it's essential that you switch the circuit breaker OFF at the main electric panel. If you don't feel like you can do this project yourself, then you should consult an electrician.

Make sure that you have enough cable so that you will be able to reach the terminals comfortably. Strip the wires and then connect each to the correct terminal inside your electrical panel.

Make sure that everything inside the electrical panel is neat and in the right place. Ensure that there are no frayed sections of wire inside which could short the circuit.

Step 10 - Check the Circuit

You should then use your multimeter to check that the right power is being received at the outlet. Insert probes into the slots, on the outside slots you should get a 240V reading, on the center slot you should get 120V. As long as you get these readings, you can be confident that it's safe to use your dryer outlet.