40amp breaker running a 30 amp dryer

pasta_paul

I am purchasing a home and on the home inspection it says that the dryer is on a 40amp breaker. It states that we need to change that to a 30 amp breaker to prevent over heating of dryer conductors. Is that something that needs to be changed right away or is a 40 amp breaker fine?

Originally asked by Lynn on Stack Exchange (diy) (CC BY-SA 3.0).

uphilltech

Great question — answering as the UphillTech team:

The answer to this question depends mainly on two factors. It really has no bearing on the dryer itself. The size (diameter) of wire conductors from the breaker in the panel over to where the dryer plug is located. The primary function of the panel breaker is to protect the wiring from ever being used at a current rating over its rated size. If that wire is 10AWG then the breaker needs to be a 30A breaker. 8AWG wire may be used with a 40A breaker. The dryer plug outlet itself will be rated for a particular current carrying capability. If that is a 30A outlet then it cannot be used with a 40A breaker even if the wire was rated at 40A. If the dryer outlet looks like this it is a 30A outlet...

Full answer by Michael Karas: https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/116743 (CC BY-SA 3.0).

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