A Phillips-head screwdriver usually does the job, but you may need a flat-head one:
- Using a screwdriver, unscrew the plug cover or plug jacket. Depending on the replacement plug, the screws are near the prongs or on the side of the plastic plug cover.
- Set the screws aside so you don’t lose them.
- Pull and wiggle the plug open. You should have two parts.
How do you replace a plug?
Steps to Replace a Plug on an Extension Cord
- Remove the screws holding on the original plug end, and pull away the cover.
- Loosen the screws holding the wires and pull off the plug so that only the insulation and bare wires remain.
- Put the new plug housing on the existing wire and tighten the wires into the new terminals. ...
How to rewire a plug?
This page breaks down wiring a plug into 5 easy steps:
- Preparing the wires
- Cutting the wires to the right length
- Opening the plug and preparing the terminals
- Putting the wires into the terminals
- Sealing the plug back up
How to fix a broken clean out plug?
Tools
- 2 Polarized and Non-Polarized Plugs. Polarized plugs have one prong blade bigger than the other. ...
- 3 Vintage Plugs and Fabric Electrical Cords. Antiques or vintage appliances often have a fabric-covered power cord. ...
- 8 Insert Cord Through Plastic Plug Cover. ...
- 9 Wrap Wires Around Terminal Screws. ...
How do you fix a broken plug from an appliance?
- These standard two-prong plugs aren’t usually polarized.
- They're the easiest plugs to replace.
- The installation is straightforward even if you use a polarized self-connecting plug.
- If you don't see any screws on the plug, it's likely this type.
How to remove old plug from appliance?
Some appliances have removable plugs. In this case, remove the old plug by removing the screws holding the body together and open it up. If the cord is connected to screws inside the body, unscrew these as well to remove the cord. Then cut the wire below where the plug ended to use the fresh parts of the wire.
How to attach a wire to a plug?
Bend the copper portion of each wire into a U-shape. Grab the end of each wire and bend it backward to make a hook. This makes attaching them to the new plug much easier and more secure.
How to put a plug base on a cord?
Some plug types, particularly extension cord plugs, have a removable base. In this case, slide the base onto the cord right-side-up first. Otherwise, you won't be able to fit the base over the plug after you've installed the wires.
How many terminals does a plug have?
Depending on the cord type, the plug will have 2 or 3 terminals, each with a screw and a small metal covering. These are on different sides of the plug so the wires don't touch each other. Locate all the terminals by looking all around the plug housing.
How to cut wires in a cord?
Strip off 3⁄4 in (1.9 cm) of the cord jacket to expose the wires underneath. Use a wire stripper and wrap it around the cord 3⁄4 in (1.9 cm) from the end. Squeeze it and rotate it around the cord to cut through its outer housing. Then slide the jacket off. This exposes the 2 or 3 wires underneath, depending on the type of cord.
How to remove a plug from a cigarette lighter?
Cut the wire just below the base of the plug. Take a wire cutter and align it about 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) below the end of the plug. Cut straight through the wire to detach the old plug.
How to cut wire jackets?
If you don’t have a wire stripper, you could also use a utility knife or razor blade. Cut around the wire jacket with the edge of the blade. Be very careful with these tools. Wear thick gloves and place the cord down on a flat surface so you don’t slip.
Types of Electrical Plugs
You can figure out what type of plug you have by looking at the prongs and the screws on it. There are three major types of straight blade electrical plugs: self-connecting, terminal screw and three-prong.
Vintage Plugs and Fabric Electrical Cords
Antiques or vintage appliances often have a fabric-covered power cord. On these items, it’s likely best to replace the whole cord instead of just the plug. A cloth-covered wire may look beautiful, but proceed with caution. The insulation in old cloth wiring deteriorates over time. As the insulation breaks down, the fire hazard goes up.
Assess the Damage
If your cord is not cloth or fabric, examine it closely. Assess the damage to the plug and cord while the appliance is unplugged.
Prepare Replacement Plug
Make sure the plug matches the voltage rating and amperage of the wire. The number should be printed on the old and new plugs, so just make sure they match. Don’t replace a three-prong plug with a two-prong plug or vice versa. If you’re replacing a polarized plug, make sure the new plug is polarized too.
Cut Off Old Plug
Once you’ve determined that the plug is the only damaged area, it’s time to remove it:
Open Plug Cover
Open the new plug housing to fit it onto the cord. A Phillips-head screwdriver usually does the job, but you may need a flat-head one:
Insert Cord Through Plastic Plug Cover
Now it’s time to put the plug back together on the electrical cord. Thread the cut end of the cord through the plastic cover.
Why does my plug fall out of the outlet?
When the plug continually falls out of the outlet, it is simply a physical malfunction of the outlet.
What to do if your outlet is not working?
Check that all of the wires are properly connected to the outlet and that all pigtailed wires are firmly connected underwire nuts. Bare copper or green plastic-coated wires are ground wires; they will generally not cause an outlet to stop working.
What to do if you have a problem with just one outlet?
If this is an isolated problem with just one outlet, a defective outlet may be to blame. In this case, replace the entire outlet. If the outlet is a GFCI outlet (the kind with the on/off buttons on the face), reset the button.
How to reset a GFCI outlet?
Check whether this is a GFCI outlet. If so, press the reset button. Reset buttons are spring-loaded and can be hard to reset. Press with the tip of a flat-head screwdriver.
How to check if an outlet is not powered?
Before working on an outlet, turn off the circuit breaker on the service panel. Test the outlet with a voltage tester to double-check that it is not powered. If you feel unsafe in any way, call an electrician .
Why does my breaker trip?
Sometimes, devices plugged into an outlet cause a circuit breaker to trip. With this issue, it might be a simple case of lightening the load on a circuit. Eventually, if the problem persists and affects other parts of the system, you might need a project called a heavy-up, an upgrade from 100 or 150 amp service to 200 amp service.
What happens if a GFCI is not installed?
If it is not a GFCI outlet, there is a chance that a different GFCI outlet has been installed upstream or line (on the same circuit, but between the problem outlet and the service panel) which trips everything else downstream or load. The best way to determine if you have a downstream GFCI outlet is with a tiny, cheap device called a GFCI tester.