When we moved into our house (1982) there was a 240V line in the
basement for a drier. The line connected to a metal box with two 30A
fuses and a big on/off switch. But there were no circuit breakers for
this line at the main breaker panel.

A few years ago when we had our service upgraded, two 30A breakers
were provided in the new breaker panel for the drier, but the original
wires were still routed to the old metal box with the 30A fuses. Now
one of those fuses has blown, and part of the big on/off switch has
broken.

As I see it, the fuses are no longer needed since we have breakers.
What's the best way to eliminate the old box, and safely connect the
240V wires to the wires from the drier? Is there some sort of junction
box that should be used? What exactly do I look for?

Thanks,
Art Harris

In article <6...@j9g2000prh.googlegroups.com>, Art Harris <n...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
>When we moved into our house (1982) there was a 240V line in the
>basement for a drier. The line connected to a metal box with two 30A
>fuses and a big on/off switch. But there were no circuit breakers for
>this line at the main breaker panel.

That's bad. That means there was no overcurrent protection for those wires.
>
>A few years ago when we had our service upgraded, two 30A breakers
>were provided in the new breaker panel for the drier, 

That's good.

>but the original
>wires were still routed to the old metal box with the 30A fuses. 

That's common -- no point in making the upgrade any more complicated than it 
needs to be. Nothing at all wrong with having both breakers and fuses, except 
that it gives you one more point to have to check if the appliance doesn't 
work.

>Now
>one of those fuses has blown, and part of the big on/off switch has
>broken.

That's bad.
>
>As I see it, the fuses are no longer needed since we have breakers.

That's correct.

>What's the best way to eliminate the old box, and safely connect the
>240V wires to the wires from the drier? Is there some sort of junction
>box that should be used? What exactly do I look for?

I don't know of any reason why you couldn't use the old box as your junction 
box, as long as you remove or permanently immobilize all of the moving parts 
of the switch mechanism first. Of course, shut off power to the box before 
touching anything.

The cheapest, sanest way I can see would be to use a 60 (same as 30) amp 
fuseless pull-out disconnect box, like they use on A/C equiptment outside. 
That way you still use the lugs instead of wire nuts, you don't have to 
worry about any fuse blowing in which place confusion and you still have a 
disconnect within reach (much closer than the panel), not that you should 
ever need it, but I assume you are saying there is no plug on this unit?

I'm not an electrician though, and some may say you are now required to go 
with a 4-wire set-up back to the main panel anyway.

"Art Harris" <n...@hotmail.com> wrote in message 
news:6...@j9g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
> When we moved into our house (1982) there was a 240V line in the
> basement for a drier. The line connected to a metal box with two 30A
> fuses and a big on/off switch. But there were no circuit breakers for
> this line at the main breaker panel.
>
> A few years ago when we had our service upgraded, two 30A breakers
> were provided in the new breaker panel for the drier, but the original
> wires were still routed to the old metal box with the 30A fuses. Now
> one of those fuses has blown, and part of the big on/off switch has
> broken.
>
> As I see it, the fuses are no longer needed since we have breakers.
> What's the best way to eliminate the old box, and safely connect the
> 240V wires to the wires from the drier? Is there some sort of junction
> box that should be used? What exactly do I look for?
>
> Thanks,
> Art Harris 

On Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:25:06 -0700 (PDT), Art Harris
<n...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>When we moved into our house (1982) there was a 240V line in the
>basement for a drier. The line connected to a metal box with two 30A
>fuses and a big on/off switch. But there were no circuit breakers for
>this line at the main breaker panel.
>
>A few years ago when we had our service upgraded, two 30A breakers
>were provided in the new breaker panel for the drier, but the original
>wires were still routed to the old metal box with the 30A fuses. Now
>one of those fuses has blown, and part of the big on/off switch has
>broken.
>
>As I see it, the fuses are no longer needed since we have breakers.
>What's the best way to eliminate the old box, and safely connect the
>240V wires to the wires from the drier? Is there some sort of junction
>box that should be used? What exactly do I look for?
>
>Thanks,
>Art Harris

Will the cord from the dryer reach that box? If so just put the
receptacle there. Otherwise you can use the box as a junction box,
remove all the guts and just wirenut the two hot wires together. Leave
the ground alone. It should already be on a bonded bus bar.
The plug is your disconnect and your overcurrent protection is in the
panel now.

Art Harris wrote:
> When we moved into our house (1982) there was a 240V line in the
> basement for a drier. The line connected to a metal box with two 30A
> fuses and a big on/off switch. But there were no circuit breakers for
> this line at the main breaker panel.

How was it connected, then?  (Not that it's of any real import now, but 
seems strange at best...)

...
> As I see it, the fuses are no longer needed since we have breakers.
> What's the best way to eliminate the old box, and safely connect the
> 240V wires to the wires from the drier? Is there some sort of junction
> box that should be used? What exactly do I look for?

No reason you can't just use the current box as a junction box w/o the 
fuses since they're no longer needed, anyway.

Other than that, if you would rather you could use a simple box or a 
disconnect if you would like, but there's no real need other than a very 
rare convenience, perhaps.

--

"Art Harris" <n...@hotmail.com> wrote in message 
news:6...@j9g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
> When we moved into our house (1982) there was a 240V line in the
> basement for a drier. The line connected to a metal box with two 30A
> fuses and a big on/off switch. But there were no circuit breakers for
> this line at the main breaker panel.
>
> A few years ago when we had our service upgraded, two 30A breakers
> were provided in the new breaker panel for the drier, but the original
> wires were still routed to the old metal box with the 30A fuses. Now
> one of those fuses has blown, and part of the big on/off switch has
> broken.
>
> As I see it, the fuses are no longer needed since we have breakers.
> What's the best way to eliminate the old box, and safely connect the
> 240V wires to the wires from the drier? Is there some sort of junction
> box that should be used? What exactly do I look for?
>
> Thanks,
> Art Harris

Your situation is pretty common. I typically remove the fuse box and 
disconnect, install a dryer outlet on the feeder, and a cord set on the 
dryer 

Overcurrent protection provided by something called "fuse". 
Young people don't know what those are.

-- 
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
  www.lds.org
.


"Doug Miller" <s...@milmac.com> wrote in message 
news:i5nKl.31332$Z...@nlpi067.nbdc.sbc.com...
In article 
<6...@j9g2000prh.googlegroups.com>, 
Art Harris <n...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>When we moved into our house (1982) there was a 240V line 
>in the
>basement for a drier. The line connected to a metal box 
>with two 30A
>fuses and a big on/off switch. But there were no circuit 
>breakers for
>this line at the main breaker panel.

That's bad. That means there was no overcurrent protection 
for those wires.

The quick and easy answer, is to go buy a couple new 30 amp 
fuses, pop em in. Save the one that still works, just lay it 
inside the box, in the bottom. Leave all the wiring for 
later. Do all the upgrade when you buy your next dryer. This 
is the answer I'd reccomend.

One answer is to shut off the double 30 breaker. Open the 
big switch box, and remove the switch and fuses. Wirenut the 
wires together, appropriately, and close the box. Might need 
to drill off some rivets. You'll need some electrical know 
how.

A more modern answer would be to have an electrican run 
10/3WG  wire from the panel box, and put in a new four prong 
socket for the dryer. Wire the dryer to a four prong "whip". 
Then, you will be ready for the next dryer you'll buy, in a 
few years.

-- 
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
  www.lds.org
.


"Art Harris" <n...@hotmail.com> wrote in message 
news:6...@j9g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
When we moved into our house (1982) there was a 240V line in 
the
basement for a drier. The line connected to a metal box with 
two 30A
fuses and a big on/off switch. But there were no circuit 
breakers for
this line at the main breaker panel.

A few years ago when we had our service upgraded, two 30A 
breakers
were provided in the new breaker panel for the drier, but 
the original
wires were still routed to the old metal box with the 30A 
fuses. Now
one of those fuses has blown, and part of the big on/off 
switch has
broken.

As I see it, the fuses are no longer needed since we have 
breakers.
What's the best way to eliminate the old box, and safely 
connect the
240V wires to the wires from the drier? Is there some sort 
of junction
box that should be used? What exactly do I look for?

Thanks,
Art Harris 

Only for new dryers. The old ones run fine on two wires plus 
ground.

-- 
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
  www.lds.org
.


"Lefty" <d...@centurytel.net> wrote in message 
news:T...@centurytel.net...
some may say you are now required to go
with a 4-wire set-up back to the main panel anyway.

In article 1...@news.motzarella.org>, "Stormin Mormon"  wrote:
>Overcurrent protection provided by something called "fuse". 
>Young people don't know what those are.

Read again, kiddo, for comprehension this time. As the OP describes it, there 
was originally no overcurrent protection for the conductors between the 
service panel and the fused disconnect.
>
>"Doug Miller" <s...@milmac.com> wrote in message 
>news:i5nKl.31332$Z...@nlpi067.nbdc.sbc.com...
>In article 
><6...@j9g2000prh.googlegroups.com>, 
>Art Harris <n...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>When we moved into our house (1982) there was a 240V line 
>>in the
>>basement for a drier. The line connected to a metal box 
>>with two 30A
>>fuses and a big on/off switch. But there were no circuit 
>>breakers for
>>this line at the main breaker panel.
>
>That's bad. That means there was no overcurrent protection 
>for those wires.