Dryer cord question 3 prong vs. 4 prong

[nonhog]

So my in-laws moved into a condo from a house and brought over the washer and dryer.
The dryer which is not very old has 3 prong cord and the condo has a 4 prong
receptacle.
Should it be easy to wire in a new 4 prong cord to the dryer ?
and whats the 4th prong ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Here's how to install a four prong cord on the dryer. The fourth prong separates the neutral and ground. http://fixitnow.com/appliantology/dryercords.htm

 

[cookster]

4 Wire connection. If dryer is installed with 4 wire supply connections. The neutral ground wire must be removed from external ground conductor [green srew] and srewed under the neutral terminal [center of white wire] of terminal block. When the neutral ground wire is secured under neutral terminal [ center of white wire of terminal block ] ,the dryer cabinet is isolated from neutral conduter.
A 4 wire power supply connection must be used when appliance is installed in location where grounding thru neutral conductor is prhibited. Grounding thru neutral is prohibited for [1] new branch installations , [2] mobile [3] recreation vehicals [4] area where local code prohibited grounding thru the neutral condutors.