How to Replace Electrical Plugs

A quick guide to replacing round and flat-cord electrical plugs

Smoke alarms may get all the home safety attention, but broken, damaged, or bent electrical plugs pose some of the greatest shock and fire hazards to any home. If you notice that the electrical plugs or cords for your home appliances are frayed or worn down, the smartest and safest thing you can do is replace them right away. For those who aren't sure how to do this, we offer this guide on how to replace electrical plugs.

Basic electrical plug rules

Whether you're replacing the electrical plug on a table lamp or clothes iron, the number one rule is that you must replace the electrical plug with the same electrical plug type is already has.

Do not change from a type B 3-pin electrical plug to a type A 2-pin electrical plug just because it will fit better into old electrical sockets. That round prong beneath the 2 flat parallel pins is needed for grounding and helps ensure your safety. Appliances that didn't originally have a grounding prong on their electrical plugs do not require one.

How to replace an electrical plug is also determined by the electrical cord's shape, e.g. round or flat. If you're working on an appliance with a heavy-duty 3-pronged plug (the 3 pins will be positioned diagonally on a light bulb-shaped head), we recommend buying a replacement electrical plug with an electrical cord already attached.

How to replace a round-cord electrical plug

To replace a round-cord electrical plug you'll need a replacement plug as well as a wire stripper, screwdriver, and pliers.

These directions are for round electrical plugs without the round grounding pin: 1.Begin by cutting off the old electrical plug. Then slide the severed cord through the new electrical plug.

2.Next, use the wire strippers to remove about 3 inches of the electrical cord's outer insulation and 1/2 inch of wire insulation from the 2 inner wires.

3. Now tie the 2 wires together in a very secure knot near the edge of the outer insulation. With the pliers, take the wire strands sticking out from the knot and straighten them, and then bend the exposed 1/2-inch into hooks that can wrap around the screw shafts.

4.Fasten the black wire's hook to the brass-colored screw and the white's to the other, making sure all thin wire strands have been tucked in. Then tighten the screws. Then slip the outer cover over the parallel pins to shield the screws and wiring.

How to replace other electrical plugs

The process for replacing a rounded cord 3-pin electrical plug is similar to the above, except a third hook will be necessary on the green wire. For your safety, the green wire must be attached to the grounding blade. Not connecting this wire will create a safety hazard.To replace quick-connecting flat-cord plugs, cut the end of the cord. Then take either of these steps:

1. Open an arm on the electrical plug body and insert the cord before pressing the arm closed.

2. Pull the terminal block and prong assembly out of the electrical plug shell. Then slide the cord through the shell and into the terminal block. Finally, squeeze the prongs to push the two parts of the electrical plug together.

More information on electrical plugs