If there is one area of home maintenance that poses a challenge to homeowners, it has to be electrical repairs. The fact that almost all your appliances use electricity means you will be required to deal with minor wiring problems that do not need the input of an electrician. One of these is, of course, wiring a plug.
Wiring a Plug – Basic
Inside an ordinary plug, you will find three terminals. The earth terminal takes the green and yellow wire. You should note that double insulated appliances do not have an earth wire. The brown live wire connects to the live terminal, while the neutral blue wire connects to the terminal to the left of the plug.
A correctly wired plug protects your electrical appliances while also making your home safer.
Wiring a Plug – Step-by-Step Guide
What do you need for this DIY project?
- A high-quality three-point plug
- Flathead A screwdriver
- Wire strippers
- Pliers to cut the wires
In most cases, you will be replacing an old plug, and you have to unscrew it using the central screw. The back part will come off easily, and you can then unscrew the other two screws on the old plug to unfasten the wire clamp inside.
Step #1
Unfasten the screws at the terminals while also noting which wire goes where. Most brands come with an informational cover showing where each wire goes.
Step #2
If the wires have been damaged, use the pliers to cut back the top layer of the cable to get a longer length of wire, thus making it easier to fasten them. While cutting, make sure you do not damage the wires inside.
Step #3
Get the new plug and start taking the casing off, starting from the center screw. Loosen one of the bottom screws and release the second in order to unfasten the wire clamp completely. Make sure you do not lose any of these screws.
Step #4
Fit the cables into the new plug head and ensure there is an adequate amount of sheath going inside the cable. At this point, you just want to confirm that the wires will fit inside without protruding outside the plug head. The green/yellow wire should be longer than the other two as it will go to the top terminal.
Step #5
Strip a small amount of insulation for each wire to expose thin copper wires underneath. These wires are loose, and you have to twist them gently to ensure no loose endings inside the plug.
Step #6
Using a flathead screwdriver, loosen the terminals inside the plug. Fit in each of the wire endings inside the corresponding terminals and tighten the loose screws into position. Tighten each of the screws one more time just to be sure that they are tight.
Step #7
Secure the wire clamp into position by placing it over the flex and tightening it into position.
Step #8
Replace the back cover of the new plug and tighten the central screw to make sure your plug is now secure.
A Few Safety Measures to Consider
When wiring your plugs, it is important to be careful so as to avoid accidents and incidences that may be fatal or that may lead to injuries. There is primarily the danger of being electrocuted if you handle the process without care. Again, you might end up burning your house should you create a short circuit with your wiring.
Below are a few precautions and safety measures that you should consider during the wiring process:
Switch off the power
A rule of thumb is that any time you are working to repair any electrical gadget, always ensure that you have switched off the power. Most people assume that they have a good grip of physics and thus can work on such gadgets when power is still on.
After all, as long as you do not bring in to contact the positive and negative cables, nothing can happen. Well, this is such a poor attitude and perception. Prevention is always better than cure.
What if you were, for instance, God forbid, to get a heart attack while repairing your plugs when power is on? How fast things would deteriorate. Even a simple bug bite while working on your plugs wiring can quickly turn the odds against you. That sudden reaction can be the beginning of more electrical trouble. Just switch the power off!
Use Dry Hands
Ensure that your hands are completely dry when wiring your plugs. Wet hands may lead to electrocution as you wire the plugs. Again, if you leave your wired plugs being wet, the chances are that the wetness may act as a circuit completion aid, thus causing short circuits.
At the same time, should you wet the screws and other metal parts within the plugs, the chances are that they will rot, eventually becoming ineffective. This shortens the life span of your plugs meaning regular and painful replacements.
Use the right tools
We are all fond of improvising. This extends even to when we are repairing sensitive items like electrical plugs. It is important to note that as much as improvisation saves you on costs, it can turn into a very expensive affair in some instances.
For instance, if you decide not to use screwdrivers and instead use, say, a kitchen knife to unscrew your plug screws, you may end up damaging them such that they no longer fasten.
This will mean you were replacing the entire plug. What a costly mistake. Always have the right tools for the right job.
Hire a professional
Finally, if you are doubtful in any way about your ability to successfully wire your plugs, don’t risk it. Call in an expert electrician to handle this job for you. This may be your cheapest option. You will be assured of a professional job, safety and peace of mind.
Doing it yourself is great, but if you are unsure of the tutorial given, don’t do it! There is no way we can anticipate every situation, and we do our best to inform of any risks for each job. Be sure to check local building codes for proper electrical installation and permits.
Wiring a plug is an easy task for the beginner do it yourself-er. With this tutorial, you can become an expert in handling these wiring tasks at home or in the office. You will not have to worry about electrical emergencies in the evening when your local electrician is unavailable.
