just bought this dryer, and it doesn’t work. Before I send it back, I thought I would ask around and see if anyone thinks I’m missing something. On the back electric panel, I have 3 terminals, and a green screw with a wire running into the machine (not to the neutral terminal). When I plug everything in, the machine doesn’t run, and I get a mild shock when I touch the machine, which I assume means the machine is not properly grounded (?). So…first, how should my wire configuration be on the machine (do I need to run a ground wire off the green screw/terminal)? Second…am I right that the machine is not properly grounded correctly? If not, how should I properly ground it (I’m in an apartment, so it could be tough)? Finally…should the machine run even if it’s not grounded…or should it not run?
I have 3 terminals, and a green screw with a wire running into the machine (not to the neutral terminal)
I think this wire does connect to the Neutral on the terminal strip.
That is why you have to move it to the terminal strip on a 4 wire hook up.
On a 3 wire it is connecting the Neutral on the terminal strip to machine frame.
I get a mild shock when I touch the machine, which I assume means the machine is not properly grounded (?)
Yes there is a problem.
So…first, how should my wire configuration be on the machine (do I need to run a ground wire off the green screw/terminal)?
I cannot say as it depends on your local electrical code.
I can tell you that in my area this would be against the code even though the install sheet shows this as an option for 3 wire hook up.
The code here does not allow you to earth ground at an appliance.
All grounds/Neutrals must be connected at the electrical box.
Also I do not know where you would pick up a true earth ground.
I most homes the copper water pipes are at earth ground but you are in an apartment so you cannot say that this is true. Connecting to them could then pose a serious danger if they are not earth grounded and you have no way of checking this. If you then had an electrical fault (one side of the line shorting to the machines frame) in the unit, you have put 115 volts on all the plumbing pipes in the building.
So I would not do this!!!
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Second…am I right that the machine is not properly grounded correctly?[/COLOR]
Yes it is not grounded correctly, you should not get a shock.
If not, how should I properly ground it (I’m in an apartment, so it could be tough)?
This may be a job for an electrician.
He can check that Neutral and earth ground are properly connected back at the electrical box and the wall receptacle.
Finally…should the machine run even if it’s not grounded…or should it not run?
It should run. To run it only needs the Neutral, the ground is a safety connection to prevent shocks.