[tim999]

A tenant rented a electric 220 volt dryer from an appliance rental store, it would not heat up. They brought in a second dryer and it had the same exact problem. The store said it is a problem with the house wiring because the odds of two dryers having the same problem is a statistical improbability.

I pulled the outlet and made sure it was wired properly, left 120v, right 120v, bottom center neutral, top center bare ground. Ten gauge wires going to a 30 amp double pole circuit breaker. The CB stays set and does not trip.

Does anyone know of any test that can be done to find the problem??

 

[BayouRunner]

See this quite a bit. You will have to narrow it down. Also you will have to measure for 220 volts, not 110 to ground or you won't be able to find it. First check if you have 220 at the dryer receptacle. If you do remove cover on back of dryer and plug in the dryer and measure again for 220. If you have 220 keep your leads attached and get someone to turn dryer on and see if voltage drops out. If it does you will have to work your way back and see what it is. First off was the same dryer cord used for both dryers? I've seen that failure a number of times. 2nd the receptacle sometimes will drop one leg off. And last would be a breaker issue where one side of the power will drop out under load. All these tests are dangerous because you have to work with live electric so be careful. And all of them will take two people because you have to run the tests under load. In your 1st post you said both sides read 110 to ground so I do feel you have 220 volts but one leg is dropping out under load. You will not be able to find the problem unless you measure for 220 volts only as you will get feedback and read 110 volts to ground even though the one leg is dropping out. I've seen many a service tech get fooled by this and even a few so called electricians. Not a competent one. If you don't understand please call an electrician and ask him to test your power supply all the way to the dryer under load. It's really very simple, just different than the way most people would check.

 

[BayouRunner]

Also it seems to happen more with the four prong receptacles than with the three prong ones. I wouldn't just buy and replace them. Just test each section under load as you go and you will narrow it down.

 

[razibpaul126]

Right instruction

 

[tim999]

Thanks for the help, because of the advice I was able to find and fix the problem. I checked across the outlet on the two hots and it only measured 120 when should have measured 240. Checked CB, it was two half height ganged breakers when CB box takes full height breakers, therefore the two half height breakers were on the same leg. Bought ganged 30A breakers (each full height) $8.60 at Lowes and it fixed problem. Glad I had room for the larger breakers. Thanks again.

 

[razibpaul126]

I hope you will do.