How to Ground an Electric Clothes Dryer

Grounding an electrical circuit is important for the safety of anyone using that particular device or appliance. The ground helps to route any power surges or electrical shorts back to the circuit panel where it terminates in a grounding rod. The dryer is grounded through the power cord as it is connected to the electrical circuit through the electrical outlet. Ensuring the connections are properly made with the power cord and/or a grounding strap will ground your dryer.

Step 1

Unplug the dryer power cord from the 220-volt dryer outlet. Slide the dryer away from the wall to gain access to the rear panel.

Step 2

Remove the screws that secure the rear access panel to the dryer's frame. The access panel is located adjacent to the entry of the power cord and covers the power block where the power cord is wired. Set the screws and panel to the side.

Step 3

Locate the green colored grounding screw on the dryer's frame next to the power block. If there are no wires or grounding strap, connect to the screw; the dryer is not grounded. To ground the dryer, loosen and remove the center screw on the power block. Insert the screw through the hole on one end of the grounding strap and into the hole in the center of the power block. Tighten the screw down. Tighten the other end of the grounding strap under the green screw on the dryer's frame.

If there is a wire or grounding strap connected to the green colored grounding screw on the dryer's frame, the dryer is already grounded. Proceed to step 4.

Step 4

Replace the access panel to the rear of the dryer, and insert the screws back into each hole. Tighten them down using the screwdriver.

Step 5

Plug the dryer cord back into the outlet. Slide the dryer back into its typical operating position, and turn it on to test for power.