Change Electric Cord Plug

To see if a cord is working properly plug it into a three prong receptacle.

Change electric cord plug.

Wiring an electrical plug is a project you can easily do yourself with just a few common tools. If you decide to buy both the cord and plug you only have to attach the cord to the appliance. Extension cords can be damaged in many different ways from dragging then along the ground to running over them with vehicles or closing them in a door. Perhaps the most common damage comes from pulling out the cord by the cord not the plug.

Replacing the male or female plug on a cord is far less expensive than replacing the entire cord and it s easy to do. While plug designs may vary this project guide will show you how to replace a two wire non polarized plug on a power cord. Check the instructions on any new plug you get. Then fit a plug in circuit tester onto the cord s other end.

Then attach the new cord to the base in reverse order for taking it off. If the pigtail cord or the appliance is not color coded first attach the center wire of the pigtail to the center terminal screw on the appliance and then connect the remaining wires to the other. Replace the plastic insulator. A new plug can help extend the life of your electrical devices.

This guide will teach you how to change a dryer cord and how to meet the proper electrical regulations related to the appliance. Most hardware stores will have replacement plugs in their electronics sections or near the extension cords. Get a 3 pronged plug for a 3 pronged cord and a 2 pronged plug for a 2 pronged cord. The main thing to remember is to buy a plug designed for the wire gauge of the cord.

Reassemble the replacement plug and tighten the screws holding it to the cord. Eventually this stretches out the cord wires and separates the sheathing or outer jacket from the plug exposing the cord wires. Buy the new cord before you take the old one off the base of the appliance. To replace cords and plugs on a 240 volt appliance such as a dryer or other large appliance purchase a pigtail cord with a plug molded to it.

Electrical codes place restrictions on changing the outlet but codes permit changing dryer plug types to match the existing outlets. Make sure you match the new plug with the type of cord you have.