Wiring a plug is one of the simplest electrical procedures, but it is also very easy to get it wrong. An incorrectly wired plug is one of the most common causes of electrical faults.
It is now law in the UK that electrical goods come with a plug fitted, however it may need changing if it becomes damaged or requires a new fuse. A damaged plug should be changed as soon as noticed to prevent any safety risk.
To begin, strip off around 4cm off the outer cable sleeve, minding not to cut into the inner coloured wires.
Separate out the wires and cut about 5mm of insulation off each using a pair of wire cutters. Look at the plug to estimate how much length you may need to cut off each wire, or the live and neutral wires can get crushed when the cover is replaced.
Once your coloured wires are at the correct length and have insulation exposed, twist the ends of the wires.
Now unscrew each terminal as you put the wire in. The screws must be firmly retightened with no bare or loose strands of wire showing.
- The BLUE wire is neutral and goes Bottom Left
- The BROWN wire is live and goes Bottom Right
- Leaving the YELLOW and green earth wire at the top
In older appliances you may find:
- Red - Live
- Black - Neutral
- Green - Earth
When the wires are correctly positioned and firmly screwed in, screw down the cord clamp onto the cable sleeving and not the coloured wires.
Before the replace the plug’s casing, make sure that it has the correct fuse:
- Appliances up to 700w - 3 amp fuse
- Appliances 700w to 1000w - 5 amp
- Appliances 1000w plus - 13 amp
Double check the wiring and the screws, and then firmly attach the cover.
In instances where an appliance has only two wires; live and neutral, these are double insulated and do not require the earth for safety. The plug is wired the same as above but without the earth.
With modern appliances, the new moulded plug cannot be opened. However, you can replace the fuse by levering it out with a screwdriver.