240v Dryer outlet reads zero

03-30-2011, 02:43 PM	#1
Frank23 Newbie   Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1	240v Dryer outlet reads zero My dryer runs but wont heat. after checking everything 3 or 4 times by the book I tried testing the outlet. Each "hot" leg reads 120 volts but when I test both hots I get zero volts. Please, please can someone help. I am going out of my mind.

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03-30-2011, 02:53 PM	#2
AandPDan Member   Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: MA Posts: 536	240v Dryer outlet reads zero Each hot lead reads 120 to ground but no reading between the hots? Have you moved any wires in your service panel lately? It sounds as if you have both leads on the same buss.

03-30-2011, 03:12 PM	#3
a7ecorsair I=E/R     Join Date: May 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,052	240v Dryer outlet reads zero Quote: Originally Posted by Frank23 My dryer runs but wont heat. after checking everything 3 or 4 times by the book I tried testing the outlet. Each "hot" leg reads 120 volts but when I test both hots I get zero volts. Please, please can someone help. I am going out of my mind. Has this ever worked or is this a new connection? If it is new wiring it sounds like both sides are being fed from the same bus bar in the panel.

03-30-2011, 07:59 PM	#4
dmxtothemax Member   Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cairns Australia Posts: 1,435	240v Dryer outlet reads zero Quote: Originally Posted by Frank23 My dryer runs but wont heat. after checking everything 3 or 4 times by the book I tried testing the outlet. Each "hot" leg reads 120 volts but when I test both hots I get zero volts. Please, please can someone help. I am going out of my mind. Sounds like both hot lines are coming from the same phase, For 240v you need two hot lines from different phases. Check the input side to each breaker, Do they come from the same hot line ? If so this is wrong. They must come from different phases or hot lines.

03-30-2011, 08:03 PM	#5
Jupe Blue Journeyman Wireman   Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Portland, OR USA Posts: 188	240v Dryer outlet reads zero Have you taken a voltage reading at the panel? Sounds like one leg of the 2 pole breaker has died and you are reading 120v to ground via the heating element. Go to the panel, turn off breaker, remove both wires from the two pole breaker, turn on breaker and take a voltage reading from each pole to the neutral bar.

03-30-2011, 08:04 PM	#6
joed Member     Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Welland, Ontario Posts: 6,028	240v Dryer outlet reads zero Is this a new install? Did you use a full size double pole breaker or a mini tandem breaker? Is the breaker installed properly? Some panels can have the double pole breaker installed so that both tabs are on the same leg. __________________ Do not PM with questions that can be asked in a forum. I will not respond.