Installing a new power plug is one of the few electrical works that any homeowner can undertake by themselves. All it takes is to follow proper safety and procedural guidelines.
We’ve prepared a comprehensive do-it-yourself (DIY) guide on how to replace an electrical plug. But first, let’s start by familiarizing ourselves with what this electrical component is all about.
Demystifying Electrical Plugs
An electrical plug, also known as power plug, is one of the most common electrical components in modern homes and offices. It refers to a detachable connector inserted into a receptacle or wall socket to deliver electricity from a power source to an electrical device or appliance.
Electrical plugs are instantly identifiable by their plastic-capped prongs. The prongs can be two or three, depending on the plug’s power ratings.
Regular electrical plugs are two-pronged while most heavy-duty plugs are three-pronged. The additional prong leads to a grounding wire that safeguards connected appliances from adverse current fluctuations.
Power plugs come in many designs. A popular option is the C13 plug, which is commonly used to power computer monitors or PCs from NETIO 4C outputs. Most C13 plugs connect into devices with C14 sockets.
Reasons for Installing a New Electrical Plug
Worn-out prongs are the biggest reason to install a new power plug.
Below are other grounds for replacing your electrical plugs;
- Loose-fitting prongs
- Arced, bent, or damaged prongs
- Old-fashioned plugs (common in older homes)
- Cracked or missing outlet covers
- Overheating plugs
Procedure for Installing a New Electrical Plug
- Remove the old plug
In most cases, installing a new electrical plug involves adding the plug to an existing power cord. Therefore, the first step would be to remove the old plug.
Use a wire stripper to cut off the old plug. Remember to hold your wire stripper perpendicular to the cord to achieve a clean cut.
- Prepare the cord
Using a wire stripper, cut off about 1 ½ inches of the cord’s outer covering.
Do not use a knife, as you may accidentally nick the interior wires that house the conductors.
Repeat the process if your wire stripper inadvertently cuts through the interior wiring.
- Identify the conductors
Remove the interior cloth insulation to expose the hot and neutral wires. These are usually black and white, respectively.
If you’re working with a three-pronged plug, the extra wire would be the ground wire.
- Prepare the new plug
Insert a screwdriver into the new cord and push it up to remove the yellow piece from the plug’s center. Set the yellow piece aside for later reassembly.
Carefully remove the blades from the plug, noting their respective orientations.
Complete preparing the plug by sliding its case onto the cord.
- Strip interior wires
Use a wire stripper to strip off about ½ to ¾ of an inch of the insulation material from each interior wires, exposing the conductors.
Slice off any visible strands. This helps achieve a clean cut while also preventing accidental contact between the conductors.
If all looks good, tightly twist each strand between your fingers to form a hook shape.
- Screw the wires to the terminals
Attach the black and white wires to their respective terminals using a screwdriver. The hot wire goes to the brass blade and the neutral wire to the silver blade.
Loosen the screws slightly and wind the hook-shaped wires around each screw. Remember to wrap the wires in a clockwise direction. This prevents them from coming loose when tightening the screws.
Now, tighten the screws as you hold the strands in place.
Visually examine that all wires are properly wound around the tight screws, then slip the insulated ends of each conductor through the notches in their respective blades.
- Reassemble the parts
Congratulations for acing the most critical part of plug installation! However, the process isn’t done until you reassemble all components.
Start by sliding the plug case up the power cord, and then fit back the blades as they were before.
Note that the blades will need to be well-aligned for the new plug to work properly. To achieve excellent orientation, ensure the blades fit snugly in an upright position, and perpendicular to the plug case.
The next component to put back is the yellow tab.
Gently slide the tabs between the blades. This helps to separate the hot and neutral wires, while firmly holding each blade inside the plug.
- Test the new plug
Your new plug should be able to work by now. But to be 100% sure, plug it into the relevant appliance.
If the appliance doesn’t work, there’s a high chance you’ve missed a critical step in this guideline. Carefully take the plug apart and repeat the process more diligently.
If you hear a pop sound, that indicates loose connections. Disassemble the plug and check that each conductor is perfectly in contact with its terminal.
Don’t hesitate to contact a licensed electrician if things don’t pan out as expected.
Summary
Replacing an old or worn-out electrical plug can go a long way in minimizing property damage and human fatalities caused by electrical fires. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a certified electrician to install a new power plug.
Just be sure to invest in a premium replacement plug, preferably one rated for the electrical appliances you intend to use it with. High-quality plugs guarantee long-term reliability and cost-effectiveness. They’re also safe to use with different electrical appliances, including the power-hungry ones.
