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  |  DIY  |  Electrics  |  Changing a plug
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Changing a plug

Although most new plugs are moulded on to the appliance lead, you may need to renew an old plug if the pins become bent or the casing is broken. When buying new plugs, look for the BS mark 1363. If you are in any doubt about electrical work, no matter how small, always seek help.


Time to complete job: Five minutes.
Approximate budget: Plugs cost from £1.

Suggested ratings for fuses:

For appliances up to 720W: 3amp
For appliances from 720W to 3kW: 13amp

Tools and materials
Screwdrivers, new plug, multi-purpose wire stripper


Removing the old plug
Use a medium-sized screwdriver to undo the screw in the centre of the underside of the plug. Remove the plug's top cover but take care none of the pins or the fuse fall out. Some plugs also have two smaller screws that hold a clamp across the wire. This stops the cord being pulled out of the plug. Loosen these screws and then loosen the brass screws that hold each wire into the pin. There will be either two or three wires to loosen. Remove the old plug. 		Connecting the wires
Modern wiring is coloured: Blue for neutral, Brown for live and Green & Yellow for earth. The new plug will have clear markings on the plastic case for E (earth), L (live) and N (neutral). If the
bare flex at the tip of each wire is in good condition, connect the wires to the terminals of the new
plug. Double check you have the correct colour of wire connected to each terminal. Use a small screwdriver to secure each flex into its terminal. Some plugs have a cylindrical post terminal with a hole for the flex. Twist the flex wires neatly together and fold over before pushing into the post hole. All the wires must be inside the hole and firmly held by the top screw. If you have a plug with clamp terminals, again twist the flex together and bend neatly around the post in a clockwise direction so that it will not loosen as you tighten the top screw.

Tip: Always make sure the wires lie flat and aren't trapped across part of the plug casing.

Making new connections
If the wires are frayed or damaged in any way, cut through the cord and strip away enough sheathing to make new wire connections. Cut the wires to the length required and use wire strippers to remove 12mm (1/2in) of insulation from the end of each wire.

Next page: fitting the plug



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