We got a new washer and dryer for the house and want to put the old one in the garage to wash dog bed/towels shop towels, basically anything we dont want to wash in the house. I know I can hook a garden hose to the washer and let the gray water run down the drive way, but I had a question about the dryer. I currently have a 250 outlet in the garage. It looks to be a 3 prong plug (labeled 250V, 50amp). Unfortunately it is on the wrong side of the garage. Can I buy a plug and 50 feet of 10/3 cable to hook up the dryer on the other side of the garage? Basically making my own 30 foot dryer plug? I would also change the breaker to a 30 amp breaker in the box.

Whats in there garage:


Back of the dryer: Previous 4 wire installation.


Plug from Amazon:


Cable from Amazon:


[Edited on December 10, 2015 at 8:08 AM. Reason : format]

12/10/2015 8:06:31 AM

250v is the rating of the receptacle-

Your suggestion would work, but the appropriate way is to have another outlet installed.

12/10/2015 8:44:22 AM

Yeah, that would be ideal, but I insulated and dry walled the garage last year and really dont want to tear into that.

12/10/2015 10:03:46 AM

Do not change the breaker in the box without inspecting the wiring going from the box to the outlet.

The breaker is there to protect the wiring, so it is rated appropriately.

12/10/2015 2:03:15 PM

Yes, it will be fine. You can also make you a cord with a male plug on both ends (called a widow maker) so you can backfeed your house from a generator during a power outage. Just be sure to open the main breaker when you do this. I've got a 50A outlet in my shop for a welder or backfeed.

SO cable would be better for a dropcord, but Romex will be fine.

12/10/2015 2:13:04 PM

the ampacity on 10/3 enough for that run ?

I don't have them memorized but i have 6/3 on my welder and i know thats over kill. but...

[Edited on December 11, 2015 at 5:53 AM. Reason : .]

12/11/2015 5:52:45 AM

The breaker in the box is a 50 amp breaker.... wanted to swap it out for a 30 amp because of the wire I will be running and because that is all the Dryer needs.

I have a whole house generator so back feeding is not needed.

Fire being one of my biggest fears, I will monitor the wire the first couple times I use the dryer out there to make sure it is not getting too hot.

Biggest thing I was worried about was the 3 wire compared to the 4 wire that was in the house, but I guess that all depends on the wiring at the back of the dryer.

12/11/2015 9:37:36 AM

Yes, 10 AWG is fine for 30 amps.

And there's nothing wrong with the old 3-wire scheme. Folks wire up new dryers for old outlets all the time.

12/14/2015 3:49:50 PM

you should definitely change the breaker to 30A. a 50A breaker isn't doing a damn bit of good on a 30A appliance

12/14/2015 8:07:51 PM

thanks guys, wired it up and tested, no fires!

12/18/2015 9:19:32 AM