Proper Operation
Learn how your appliance is supposed to operate so you can determine if it is malfunctioning.



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Charred Appliance Plug

Charred plug

There are two 120 volt circuits that come into your dryer from the big dryer outlet on the wall. Look closely at the flat plug blades after you remove it from your dryer outlet. Does one of the blades look like it got very hot? Does it look darker than the other blades? Is the plastic of the plug around the blade melted or charred black?

If this description fits your dryer plug, you need to check the wiring behind your dryer outlet besides just replacing the cord.

Warning Shock Hazard

LOCATE THE DRYER CIRCUIT BREAKER AND FLIP IT TO OFF. Test for power at the outlet to ensure there is none.

Unscrew the two screws securing the dryer outlet cover plate and remove the plate. Remove the two screws securing the outlet to the electrical box behind it. Pull the outlet assembly out of the box and inspect the wiring connected to it. Is the insulation burned off one of the wires? If so, the dryer outlet must be replaced and rewired. Call an electrician to make this repair if you are uncomfortable working with your house wiring.

DO IT YOURSELF PROCEDURE: You are going to have to strip the insulation back to clean, bright copper in order to prevent this from happening again. Check to see if you have enough good wire to reach to a new outlet. If the wire won't reach, you may have to move the outlet electrical box up to gain access to uncharred wire. I don't advise splicing a short piece of wire because the splice may burn just like your outlet did. Take your old outlet to the nearest hardware store and buy a new one. Wire up the new outlet and make sure you really crank down on the screws that secure each wire in the new outlet. Clean up your old burned dryer plug down to bright metal or buy a new one. Put everything back together and check it out.