Lets be clear about the purpose of the neutral lead -- it returns unbalanced currents to the breaker box instead of sending them through the chassis, water pipes, etc. A proper 3-wire configuration will not have unbalanced currents, but a 4-wire could have unbalanced currents (e.g., using 120V for electronics). So, if the unit is designed to be hooked up either 3-wire or 4-wire, then use whichever connection fits your wall receptacle. In the case of 3-wire, do not attach the neutral terminal in the unit to ground, let it float unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer. In case of 4-wire, bring the unit neutral to the receptacle neutral, and don't attach it to any ground terminals. kas

Your Bosh Axxis dryer comes from the manufacturer without a power cord. If yours was delivered with a cord, then the dealer installed it. You need to contact the dealer and advise them that your dryer arrived with a a 4-prong connecter, but that your house has the older style 3-prong outlet. Most dealers will provide the appliance with whichever connecter is appropriate. If your dealer won't change it, then you can easily do this yourself by going to your local home center or hardware store and buying a properly rated 3-prong cord which will cost $12 to $15. The instructions for installing it on your dryer are on pages 8 & 9 of your owner's manual, complete with very clear illustrations. The dryer can be installed with either type of plug, unless you're in a mobile home or your local electrical code doesn't allow grounding through the neutral (which is what's done using a 3-prong connecter). Incidently, if you had an electrician out to run an entirely new circuit for a dryer, he should have installed a 4-conductor cable from the breaker panel and a 4-pronged outlet. The old 3-pronged outlets are out of date (but still legal if already in place), however new installations must be installed using 4 conductors.

The 2 outer wires are L1 and L2 and the central wire is your neutral. However there is more to it than just hooking up the wires. You will also need to ground the neutral to the frame of the dryer. With out the dryer grounded you could be killed if an electrical part shorted out. This could potentially make the chassis live. Because you have to ask the questions you asked in your post I would strongly suggest you have the power cord replaced by a service tech or electrician. When it comes to electricity and the safety of your family make sure the job is done right.

My son called his landlord to get a recommendation for an electrician. The landlord came up to take a look at the dryer cord. She discovered that Home Depot sold my son's housemate a RANGE cord, instead of Dryer cord. Neither bothered to look at the package. LOL Guess that's why my son needs to go to college. Anyway, my son will attempt to try a new pigtail, but will still have the problem of the grounding wire. Once again, will it be safe to ground the wire to another screw that doesn't seem to have any real function?