acumengineer
DIY
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I recently purchased a used clothes dryer, it came with 4 prong cord. Rather than change the cord, I figured it would be better to upgrade the outlet from 3 prong socket, since the existing wiring includes all 4 wires. Bought new outlet, and was dismayed to discover that the width of plastic casing where wires are connected is wider than the corresponding 3 prong outlet. Not just a tight fit for the wires, unfortunately, the old 2 inch wide outlet box is not wide enough to hold the back side of new 4 prong outlet. Here is a picture:
The outlet box is attached to a spur stud with 3 nails, through the back of the box. There is a 2x4 between the two outlet boxes, but the open outlet box is not attached directly to the 2x4. I pulled the wire down, so you can have an idea of how much slack I have to work with. The outlet box is 1 7/8 inch deep. The back side of outlet needs about 1 7/8 of depth in outlet.
I don't mind cutting the drywall to make room for a wider box, and you have probably already guessed that appearance isn't high on the priority list.
If there are no good options, I could go back to 3 prong outlet and change the cord to match outlet, but I would prefer moving forwards to backwards. In case all the mentions of inches didn't give it away, this is in the USA.
Any recommendations?
The outlet box is attached to a spur stud with 3 nails, through the back of the box. There is a 2x4 between the two outlet boxes, but the open outlet box is not attached directly to the 2x4. I pulled the wire down, so you can have an idea of how much slack I have to work with. The outlet box is 1 7/8 inch deep. The back side of outlet needs about 1 7/8 of depth in outlet.
I don't mind cutting the drywall to make room for a wider box, and you have probably already guessed that appearance isn't high on the priority list.
If there are no good options, I could go back to 3 prong outlet and change the cord to match outlet, but I would prefer moving forwards to backwards. In case all the mentions of inches didn't give it away, this is in the USA.
Any recommendations?