We have a standard 2 socket receptacle in our basement that we used for a PORTABLE electric dryer. It does have a 220 circuit breaker in the breaker box. We bought a full size dryer and a 30amp 3 wire 125/250 volt universal dryer cord. Obviously the receptacle needs to be changed, so we bought a 30amp-125/250v non-grounding dryer outlet. On the dryer outlet package, it states "Caution: This device is not designed for grounding use. Connect only to non-grounding circuits." What do we need to do? And yes, I am a complete rookie, so please be specific. Thanks a whole lot.

 

you need to use a two pole four wire cord and replace the recpt. to match. There is a difference between a grounding conductor and a grounded conductor and a train conductor! Two hots one nuetral (gronded conductor) one grounding conductor. A portable dryer should be well grounded and in a damp location it will bleed of producing a good shock if it isn't.

 

The outlet you bought allows older houses with no equipemnt ground conductor to be conencted to a special type of circuit/cable with two hots and a neutral. If you have a regular outlet now, it is unlikely that you have the special cable installed nesasary to take advantage of this code exception. You will probably have to install a new 10/3 cable with a 30 amp two pole breaker.