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The screw is actually only silver in color and it is where the neutral wire(s) get connected to, (white wire). the gold colored screw gets connected to the positive(black or red) wire(s). Green screw is for ground wire.

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Q: What is a silver screw in a new wall receptacle for?
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Your electric stove has a 3 prong plug your new stove has a 4 prong stove you bought a new 4 prong outlet but on your old outlet it oly has 3 wires no ground wire how do you ground it?

Look in the back of the range receptacle box that is in the wall. The three wires coming in should have a bare ground wire in the cable set. It wasn't brought to the receptacle because there was no place for it on the three wire receptacle If you find it back there under a screw terminal just add another short piece of wire under the screw and then connect the other end of the short wire to the new ground terminal on the new four position receptacle The wire should be equal in size to the size of the wire that exists around the ground terminal now. If the house is so old that the range cable did not have a ground wire in it the code allows a separate green ground #10 wire to be taken from the breaker panel box to the existing range receptacle This wire is to be bonded on each end. At the panel end to the ground buss and at the receptacle end around the ground screw at the back of the box unbroken and then to the new four position receptacle ground lug.


Is there an adapter for a NEMA 14-30 male plug to a NEMA 10-30 female receptacle?

No there is no adapter. Change your old dryer receptacle NEMA 10-30 to a new NEMA 14-30. This will allow you to plug the new dryer cord into the old wiring.Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.Range receptacle three to fourLook in the back of the dryer receptacle box that is in the wall. The three wires coming in should have a bare ground wire in the cable set. It wasn't brought to the receptacle because there was no place for it on the three wire receptacle. If you find it back there under a screw terminal just add another short piece of wire under the screw and then connect the other end of the short wire to the new ground terminal (G) on the new four position receptacle. The wire should be equal in size to the size of the wire that exists around the ground terminal now. If the house is so old that the dryer cable did not have a ground wire in it the code allows a separate green ground #10 wire to be taken from the breaker panel box to the existing range receptacle. This wire is to be bonded on each end. At the panel end to the ground buss and at the receptacle end around the ground screw at the back of the box unbroken and then to the new four position receptacle ground lug (G).Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliancesalways use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.


Why would only one plug-in work in a two plug-in outlet?

Two reasons. In older wiring or possibly new depending on the region, it was common place to split a receptacle especially in kitchens so that the top half was on one circuit and one was on the other. You may have a tripped breaker. Otherwise, the receptacle was cut to be a split receptacle and never wired that way. If you feel safe doing so, pull the receptacle out of the wall with the POWER OFF. Look at the sides where the wires are screwed down and see if the metal tab that runs between the two screw per side is still intact. If its not and you want the receptacle on a single circuit, replace the receptacle, but this time, don't cut the tab.


Why would an electric receptacle have 3 hot and 3 neutral wires With one set of wires screwed into the sides of the outlet and the other two sets pushed into the back?

no you have to improperly install it....... :P Shut off the power to the receptacle. Now remove the three black wires from one side of the old receptacle and twist them all together with your pliers. Make a short pigtail 6 inches long, same colour and wire size. Now twist this pigtail into the other three wires. Hold all four wires together with the appropriate size wire nut. Do the same with the white wires. Push all the wires into the back of the receptacle box. Connect the two pigtail wires to the new receptacle black wire to the brass coloured screw, white wire to the silver coloured screw. Screw the new receptacle back into the box, install cover plate, turn the power back on. Done deal.


How do you hook up a 4 wire to a 3 wire dryer?

The cord should have a green,white,red,and black wires in it. Green is ground, white is neutral, and red and black are "hot". On the plug the green terminal is for the green wire, the silver terminal is for the white wire, and the brass terminals are for the red and black wires. Simple job for a pro and will cost little. If you have to ask and depend on the answers from people like me, saving money is more important than your Family and Home..Good Luck...pkazsr

Related questions

How do you extend the electric outlet at the basement?

Parallel connect the new receptacle to a receptacle in the existing circuit. Black (hot) existing to black (new), white existing to white (new), ground existing to ground (new). Make the ground wire coming into the new receptacle box longer so that it can be looped around the ground screw located in the receptacle box first and then connect to the receptacle without having a break in the wire.


Your electric stove has a 3 prong plug your new stove has a 4 prong stove you bought a new 4 prong outlet but on your old outlet it oly has 3 wires no ground wire how do you ground it?

Look in the back of the range receptacle box that is in the wall. The three wires coming in should have a bare ground wire in the cable set. It wasn't brought to the receptacle because there was no place for it on the three wire receptacle If you find it back there under a screw terminal just add another short piece of wire under the screw and then connect the other end of the short wire to the new ground terminal on the new four position receptacle The wire should be equal in size to the size of the wire that exists around the ground terminal now. If the house is so old that the range cable did not have a ground wire in it the code allows a separate green ground #10 wire to be taken from the breaker panel box to the existing range receptacle This wire is to be bonded on each end. At the panel end to the ground buss and at the receptacle end around the ground screw at the back of the box unbroken and then to the new four position receptacle ground lug.


Is there an adapter for a NEMA 14-30 male plug to a NEMA 10-30 female receptacle?

No there is no adapter. Change your old dryer receptacle NEMA 10-30 to a new NEMA 14-30. This will allow you to plug the new dryer cord into the old wiring.Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.Range receptacle three to fourLook in the back of the dryer receptacle box that is in the wall. The three wires coming in should have a bare ground wire in the cable set. It wasn't brought to the receptacle because there was no place for it on the three wire receptacle. If you find it back there under a screw terminal just add another short piece of wire under the screw and then connect the other end of the short wire to the new ground terminal (G) on the new four position receptacle. The wire should be equal in size to the size of the wire that exists around the ground terminal now. If the house is so old that the dryer cable did not have a ground wire in it the code allows a separate green ground #10 wire to be taken from the breaker panel box to the existing range receptacle. This wire is to be bonded on each end. At the panel end to the ground buss and at the receptacle end around the ground screw at the back of the box unbroken and then to the new four position receptacle ground lug (G).Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliancesalways use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.


Why would only one plug-in work in a two plug-in outlet?

Two reasons. In older wiring or possibly new depending on the region, it was common place to split a receptacle especially in kitchens so that the top half was on one circuit and one was on the other. You may have a tripped breaker. Otherwise, the receptacle was cut to be a split receptacle and never wired that way. If you feel safe doing so, pull the receptacle out of the wall with the POWER OFF. Look at the sides where the wires are screwed down and see if the metal tab that runs between the two screw per side is still intact. If its not and you want the receptacle on a single circuit, replace the receptacle, but this time, don't cut the tab.


How do you wire a 4 prong dryer cord to a 3 wire receptacle?

Using a red wire nut hook the 3 wires (of the same color) together with a short piece of wire of the same color. You now have 4 wires tied together. Now take the other end of the short wire and attach it to the outlet on the correct screw Do the same with the other 2 wires Please keep in mind to make sure the wire nut has securely fastened the wires. Loose connections cause heat which cause fire If you do not completely understand this answer please contact a qualified electrician


Can I install a GFCI receptacle from an existing receptacle in the basement?

Yes, there is no reason why this can not be done. In fact a benefit of this is that every receptacle downstream from this new receptacle will also be protected by the GFCI receptacle.


Where can you find a diagram for installing a new range with a four prong cable if the range you are replacing only has a three prong cable?

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.Range receptacle three to fourFirst thing to do is turn off the breaker to the range. Look in the back of the range receptacle box that is in the wall. The three wires coming in should have a bare ground wire in the cable set. It wasn't brought to the receptacle because there was no place for it on the three wire receptacle. If you find it back there under a screw terminal just add another short piece of wire under the screw and then connect the other end of the short wire to the new ground terminal on the new four position receptacle. The wire should be equal in size to the size of the wire that exists around the ground terminal now. If the house is so old that the range cable did not have a ground wire in it the code allows a separate green ground #10 wire to be taken from the breaker panel box to the existing range receptacle. This wire is to be bonded on each end. At the panel end to the ground buss and at the receptacle end around the ground screw at the back of the box unbroken and then to the new four position receptacle ground lug.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliancesalways use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.


Why would an electric receptacle have 3 hot and 3 neutral wires With one set of wires screwed into the sides of the outlet and the other two sets pushed into the back?

no you have to improperly install it....... :P Shut off the power to the receptacle. Now remove the three black wires from one side of the old receptacle and twist them all together with your pliers. Make a short pigtail 6 inches long, same colour and wire size. Now twist this pigtail into the other three wires. Hold all four wires together with the appropriate size wire nut. Do the same with the white wires. Push all the wires into the back of the receptacle box. Connect the two pigtail wires to the new receptacle black wire to the brass coloured screw, white wire to the silver coloured screw. Screw the new receptacle back into the box, install cover plate, turn the power back on. Done deal.


How do you locate receptacles that have been covered by drywall?

To find hidden receptacles that have been covered by drywall you have to look down the wall. From one end of the wall and at an elevation of the hidden receptacle look down the wall for a bulge in the drywall. Use a stud finder to find the stud that the receptacle is attached to and determine which side of the stud it is on. Take a small shanked screw driver and poke it through the drywall to see if you can hit the box. Once the box is found use a key hole saw to cut out the drywall and let the box pop flush with the drywall surface. Install a couple of new drywall screws near the box to secure the drywall.


How do you hook up a 4 wire to a 3 wire dryer?

The cord should have a green,white,red,and black wires in it. Green is ground, white is neutral, and red and black are "hot". On the plug the green terminal is for the green wire, the silver terminal is for the white wire, and the brass terminals are for the red and black wires. Simple job for a pro and will cost little. If you have to ask and depend on the answers from people like me, saving money is more important than your Family and Home..Good Luck...pkazsr


How do you change a 4 prong 240V cord for a dryer to a 220V 3 prong cord?

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.You are approaching the problem the wrong way around. The cord to the dryer should stay a four wire as that is now the new electrical code. What should be done is changing the three wire wall receptacle to a four wire installation.Turn the breaker off that controls the circuit for the dryer. Look in the back of the dryer receptacle box that is in the wall. The three wires coming in should have a bare ground wire in the cable set. It wasn't brought to the receptacle because there was no place for it on the old three wire receptacle. If you find the ground wire back there under a screw terminal, just add another short piece of wire under the screw and then connect the other end of the short wire to the new ground terminal on the new four position receptacle. The wire should be equal in size to the size of the wire that exists around the ground terminal now. If the house is so old that the range cable did not have a ground wire in it, the electrical code allows a separate green ground #10 wire to be taken from the breaker panel box to the existing range receptacle. This wire is to be bonded on each end. At the panel end to the ground buss and at the receptacle end around the ground screw at the back of the box unbroken and then to the new four position receptacle ground lug.As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliancesalways use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.


If you have an old double outlet inside your home and you need to run a double outlet outside from this one How do you wire it?

The new receptacle has to be a GFCI receptacle. Try and locate the inside junction box on the outside of the house. The back of the old receptacle should have a 1/2 inch knockout in it. Remove it. Drill through the KO hole right through the siding to the outside. This will be the center of the new outside GFCI receptacle's junction box. Cut a new EZ box into the outside siding. Feed new wire 2C-#14 from the old box to the new box. Terminate both ends and replace covers. The new outside receptacle will need a weatherproof receptacle cover plate.