Yes, absolutely. If the installers failed to separate the neutral and ground connections in the dryer when connecting to your 4-wire circuit, it would almost certainly cause a 30 amp double pole GFCI breaker to trip immediately upon reset.Here's why: GFCI Function

GFCI breakers monitor the current flowing out on the hot wires and compare it to the current returning on the neutral wire. If there's a difference (even a tiny one, like 5 milliamps), it assumes current is leaking to ground (potentially through a person) and trips the breaker.

4-Wire System

In a 4-wire dryer circuit, the neutral wire is intended to carry only the unbalanced load from the 120V components (light, control panel) of the dryer. The ground wire is for safety purposes only and should never carry current under normal circumstances.

Neutral-Ground Bond in the Dryer (Incorrect)

Dryers designed for 3-wire connections have an internal bond (connection) between the neutral terminal and the dryer's metal chassis (which is also connected to the ground wire). This bond must be removed when connecting to a 4-wire circuit.



The Problem

If the neutral-ground bond isn't removed, some of the neutral current will flow back to the panel through the ground wire in addition to the neutral wire. This creates a current imbalance, the GFCI breaker sees the difference, and it trips.

Troubleshooting Steps (Safely - Turn off the breaker first!)


Turn OFF the Breaker

Make absolutely sure the breaker is off before touching any wires.2.

Inspect the Dryer Connection

Carefully examine the wiring at the dryer's terminal block.

Locate the Bonding Jumper

Look for a metal strap or wire connecting the neutral terminal to the dryer's chassis (typically near the terminal block). It's often a green or bare wire.

Verify it's Removed

The jumper must be removed or disconnected. There will typically be instructions for how to do this in the dryer's installation manual. The neutral will need to be connected to the white neutral wire. The ground wire needs to be connected to the green ground screw.3.

Double-Check Wiring

Ensure that: The two hot wires (typically red and black) are connected to the correct terminals on the dryer (usually marked L1 and L2). The neutral wire (white) is connected to the neutral terminal. The ground wire (green or bare) is connected to the grounding screw/terminal on the dryer's chassis.

Important Safety Notes



Electricity is dangerous! If you are not completely comfortable working with electrical wiring, hire a qualified electrician.

Turn off the breaker! Always turn off the breaker feeding the circuit before working on any wiring.

Follow the Dryer's Instructions

Always refer to the dryer's installation manual for specific wiring instructions.

Verify Grounding

After making the corrections, use a multimeter to verify continuity between the dryer's metal chassis and the ground wire at the outlet.

If you've removed the neutral-ground bond and are still having problems, there could be other issues, such as



A short circuit in the dryer

A faulty heating element or other component could be causing a ground fault.

A problem with the GFCI breaker itself

GFCI breakers can sometimes fail.

A wiring error in the circuit itself: While less likely, there could be a wiring mistake in the outlet box or at the breaker panel.In those cases, you'll definitely need to consult with a qualified electrician to diagnose and repair the problem. But in most cases when a 4-wire dryer is connected and the GFCI trips, it is because the installers failed to remove the neutral ground bond. Flag for review