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Originally posted by RAMIUS:

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Originally posted by Skins2881:

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Originally posted by RAMIUS:

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Originally posted by ubelongoutside:
I'm confused by what you did differently than your wife?

You said

"When my wife came home, she went to give it a try, but an F4 error code kept popping up. I googled it and it appeared that it’s a voltage issue"

Then

" I go down stairs and decide to give the dryer a try myself to see what’s wrong. I push the ON button"

Was she not pushing the "on" button?

No idea. When she did it, the F4 thing came up. The only thing I can think of is that when I pushed the dryer back a bit further to the wall, the vent tube contacted the washer. When she did it, it wasn’t touching the washer.

As someone who diagnoses problems such as this for a living. None of this adds up. Looking forward to pics any any extra details you can remember.

Well, the electrician did say he’s never seen anything like this before. The weirdest thing is where/how the vent tube blew up/caught fire. Which is where it was touching the washer.

The hot wire sent voltage through the chassis of the dryer to the vent pipe. Then it arc flashed where it was making contact with the washer. Keep in mind breakers aren’t always going to trip, and they won’t always trip fast enough to prevent an arc flash. Lucky you had the extinguisher and you weren’t hurt.

Both the dryer and washer breakers should be replaced after this and both receptacles loosened and pulled out from the wall and inspected for any damage, even though they tested ok.

Thanks PowerSurge. That sounds about how the electrician explained it.

I’ll make sure Lowe’s takes care of those things.

Was it installed by Lowe's employees or a contracted delivery service? If a delivery service was used to deliver and install the dryer they should be involved in the discussion also.

Coincidence here but the last major appliance purchase we made at Lowe's was fraught with problems. Wife bought front loading matched set of Bosch washer and dryer. From delivery to service, all from outside contracted services nothing went smoothly. Delivery service did not have a 220 volt cord or clamps for the duct work, their excuse was that they were not installers. Amazing that nothing was said when we purchased the appliances.

Then their outside service. Washer door seal tears. In a nutshell the repair service backed by Lowe's department manager blamed us. I had to go to the store manager and complain,they instructed the repair service to replace the seal "as a one time goodwill gesture". Shortly after that the second one tore again. I refused to allow the first company to come out. When a different (A&E) came out the service technician found a deflector missing that was causing the problem. So either it was missing from the get-go or the first technician removed and did not replace it when he installed the second seal, either case shoddy workmanship.

Last two appliances we purchased through Home Depot, both delivered and installed without any drama.

This appears to be common with Lowes. When we purchased a washer and dryer from them, the people they chose to deliver and install them didn't connect the dryer vent hose correctly and caused water to leak onto the floor. It took two more visits from their installers before they discovered the issue and installed it correctly.

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The hot wire sent voltage through the chassis of the dryer to the vent pipe. Then it arc flashed where it was making contact with the washer. Keep in mind breakers aren’t always going to trip, and they won’t always trip fast enough to prevent an arc flash. Lucky you had the extinguisher and you weren’t hurt.

Good point, if they just switched L1 or L2 with a three wire circuit, that could cause equipment to become energized and not a dead short, but something like high impedance fault maybe?

I was thinking they screwed up bonding jumper for three wire plug.

RAMIUS, what actually ignited?

Lucky nobody was hurt, electrocuted or killed.
Since it sounds like the whole cabinet was HOT.

New washer, dryer, money for electrician, new fire extinguisher (or recharge)... something for the inconvenience/trouble would be a nice jesture.

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Originally posted by Skins2881:

I was thinking they screwed up bonding jumper for three wire plug.

RAMIUS, what actually ignited?

Bonding the chassis to hot would have left the same situation. Since ground and neutral are separate in new dryers.
(However, it would have likely worked until something bad happened, like electrocution)

As to what ignited?

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The dryer vent tubing was all blown apart and the back of the washer was blacked from the electrical fire.

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The weirdest thing is where/how the vent tube blew up/caught fire. Which is where it was touching the washer.

Let me get this straight... The cabinet ground was bound to 110v, and the cabinet was hot?

Lucky somebody wasn't killed.

And minimum wage idiots think they are worth $15 an hour.

Only a supervisor with an electrician's license should EVER wire delivered products that are sold to the public.

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Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
And minimum wage idiots think they are worth $15 an hour.

Only a supervisor with an electrician's license should EVER wire delivered products that are sold to the public.

My thoughts exactly. I'd no sooner let a delivery driver wire a major appliance than I would make a NG connection. Same hazard (death) if not done correctly.

Also, you'll get better service and support from an appliance store vs. big box. Might cost a few extra dollars up front, but the peace of mind is worth it, IMO.

Glad your house didn't burn down around you while you were sleeping!

-Rob

Don't forget to add the cost of a new fire extinguisher and a pair of undies to your claim!

They need to replace your fire extinguisher as well.

I will never again use Lowes for appliances or delivery again.

Bought a washer and dryer. Said they would install the washer and dryer, hook everything up, at time of sale, "no hassle, easy as pie", the salesman said. When the delivery guys arrived they literally dropped the washer and dryer off in the driveway, and left, before I noticed them leaving. WTF? Called them back, they came back a few hours later to install it. Guys had a huge attitude, said, our order says to deliver it, not install it. I dont care what your order says, that's not what was promised. They "hook" up the washer and dryer. Yeah right.
'
After they leave, go to use the washer, the washer doesn't work. The idiots didn't turn the water on before sliding the washer back in. Sigh. I have to pull the washer out, shimmy my way back into a 8 inch hole, and barely fit an arm in there so I can turn the water on. Perfect. The washer works now.

Now to the dryer. Throw my first load into the dryer. Hit the on button. Clothes dry. Awesome. I go to empty the dryer, and the laundry room is 145 degrees and 125% humidity. WTF??!! Must be something wrong with the dryer vent. Pull the dryer out to check the dryer vent, and they in their infinite wisdom, saw no need to actually attach a dryer vent to the dryer.

The incompetent boobs that deliver for Lowes in this area are worthless.

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My thoughts exactly. I'd no sooner let a delivery driver wire a major appliance than I would make a NG connection. Same hazard (death) if not done correctly.

I see this all the time in my industry, and to an extent right here on the forum when it comes to where one chooses to spend their money.

Things that rarely matter: Experience, reputation, training, certification, time in business, equipment, insurance.

Things that mostly matter: Price.

Lowe's isn't going to pay the guy that has everything on the first list to install an appliance because they can't afford to for the price they are charging. Another example of getting exactly what you pay for.

This isn't a dig at the OP because I realize there are fewer and fewer options anymore. You can't hire a professional appliance guy when they've all been put out of business by the big box guys. But just wait to see how much better it gets when all we have is Amazon and other online sources!

I'm glad the OP and his property are OK. I'm sure Lowe's will cover the damage while not changing anything about how they do things. Hopefully the next guy doesn't get his house burned to the ground.

A few months ago, we bought a new set from Costco online. The LG set was advertised as $1,100 off. About 2 weeks later a crew from Spokane delivered and installed the new set and hauled away the old. They installed new hoses, pigtail and dryer vent. They leveled both machines and tested them. Absolutely first class. We paid $150 for delivery which was well worth the work these two guys performed. I gave them $25 for a pizza.

As an after thought a Fire Dept. response report would be nice to have in the ongoing discussions.

Glad you had the fire extinguisher, but in the future maybe not stored above the dryer. Maybe a few feet away in case of the fire having a start before you need it.

Back in 1988 we were building our new house. We rented a newly built house close by. We were first tenants to live in the house. Installed washer and dryer. The first time we used dryer a lot of smoke came from back of dryer. After making sure no power to dryer I checked the wiring and someone had wired the dryer outlet with one of hot wires to the neutral lug. We also got lucky no damage or injury.

I wouldn't trust Lowes to "install" ANYTHING.

You are dammed lucky you didn't get electrocuted due to these incompetent boobs.

An update in case anyone is interested.

I spoke to the Lowe's store manager this morning. He was genuinely concerned for what happened and contacted the contracted company who fulfilled and installed the dryer.

About 5 minutes after speaking to the Lowes manager, a person who handles these sorts of issues from the contracted company called me. I informed him of what happened and he basically asked what I wanted.

I just sent him this email of my requests:

Hi Mike,

I'm waiting for the electrician to send me his report. When I receive it, I will forward it to you for your review.

Just an FYI, prior to this incident, your company delivered an incorrect model dryer to us. This faulty dryer was delivered on 9/23/2019 to replace the incorrect model that was delivered prior to this incident.

This incident occurred on 9/23/2019 at approximately 11pm EST.

Here are my requests to make this situation right. 

1) Provide a new Washer and Dryer of the same models/type, including all accessories that were purchased from Lowe's and complete reimbursement of the cost of these items (washer, dryer, accessories, delivery fee, etc.) to us. Please make sure that these items are wired correctly and function tested before and after installation. Please also ensure that these new replacement appliances are covered under manufacturer warranty and Lowe's warranty at no cost to us.

2) Cover the costs of Replacement of the receptacles for both the washer and the dryer by our electrician.

3) Cover the costs of Replacement of the breakers for the washer/dryer/laundry room by our electrician.

4) Cover the costs of repainting the laundry room that was just painted the day before the faulty dryer arrived. There are scorch marks on the wall where the dryer vent hose ignited.

5) Cover the costs of having the inside of the wall where the receptacles were plugged in inspected for any damages related to this incident.

6) Cover the cost of any and all further electrical repair work that our electrician suggests be done in relation to this incident for safety purposes that may have occurred due to this incident.

7) Compensation for work stoppage of our current kitchen remodel due to electrical safety issues related to this incident.

8) Compensation for costs of laundry bills during the time we will be without a washer and dryer.

9) Your company in conjunction with Lowe's is wholly responsible for providing us with an appliance that included faulty wiring that may have led to the death/injury of those who reside in this home. Death/Injury due to electrical shock, as well as the possibility of a catastrophic house fire may have occurred due to the fact that your company wired this appliance incorrectly and negligently and did not test for proper function before and after installation of the appliance.   Therefore, I am requesting compensation to us for the specific inconvenience of having to deal with having a faulty appliance supplied by your company/Lowe's, particularly in regard to me having to experience putting out an electrical fire due to this negligently wired device being installed in our home that put my family, myself, and our property at risk for catastrophe.

10) A new fire extinguisher to replace the one used to put out the fire caused by the faulty appliance.


Please let me know if you have any questions,


Thank You,

The vendor should be licensed and insured in order to perform work for Lowes.
His insurance should cover such an incident.
But since you’ve paid Lowes they are the ones who should reimburse you and deal with the vendor on their end, in my opinion.
Will look forward to hearing how this is being handled by Lowes and what the final outcome will be.
Glad you are all ok and you could prevent a serious fire.