terry wrote:
On Aug 5, 1:25 pm, Mikepier wrote:
I could never understand what is the purpose of 3 vs 4 wire dryer
plugs. The ground and neutral are connected together at the main
panel anyway. If this is an existing outlet, not a problem to
change
the 4 wire plug to 3 wire and jump the ground and neutral inside
the
dryer. For new installations, then you would run a 4 wire circuit.

Yes; this comes up from time to time by some ignorant of safe wiring
practices.

The ground an the neutral ARE connected together BUT ONLY ONCE at
the
main panel.

Never at a sub-panel or at an appliance or outlet!!!!!

Everywhere else in the house the ground and the neutral are to be
separate wires.

Reason: If a fault occurs the ground wire (which must be of certain
gauge etc.) will carry the fault current safely to ground hopefully
protecting persons from shock and in many cases will trip the
circuit
breaker for safety.
But if the neutral white wire breaks/becomes open the appliance etc.
should safely stop working until properly repaired. It should not
continue to work with the neutral current flowing through the metal
frame of the appliance etc.

A 220v stove usually works fine with the neutral open. Your rationale
may be appropriate for some types of appliance but it doesn't really
make a lot of sense for a stove.


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--John
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(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)