How to wire a plug

Learn how to wire a plug correctly.

All electric plugs need a cartridge fuse. Many are fitted with a 13 amp fuse when you buy them, but you should make sure that the plug has the right fuse to protect the appliance. It will only need a 3amp fuse if the appliance is, say, a table lamp or a hair dryer. The more powerful 13amp fuse could damage the wiring or even cause a fire.

Unscrew the cover of the plug with a screwdriver and take care not to lose the screw.

Prize out the fuse if it's covering one of the terminals. Loosen the flex grip if necessary. Plastic flanges grip the flex in some plugs, and they don't need loosening; but in other the flex is held by a screw down bar.

Put in the flex, pressing it between flanges. Or push it under the bar and tighten the screws. Make sure the bar grips the outer sheath, not just the wires.

If the flex has to pass through a sleeve in the cover, do it now.

Cut the wires to the right length to reach the terminals and strip off some insulation from each wire if necessary. Connect the wires to the correct terminals. The brown wire is connected to the terminal marked L, the blue wire goes to the terminal marked N, and the earth wire (green and yellow) goes to the terminal marked E.

Wind the top of each wire round the correct terminal and tighten the screw. Wind the wire clockwise round the terminal or it will be loosened as you tighten the screw. Alternatively, if the terminal has a hole, push the wire into it until no bare wire is showing, and tighten the screw.

Replace the fuse if you had to remove it to reach the terminal. Make sure it has the correct amp rating.

Screw the cover back onto the plug and bobs your uncle…

Article Tags: Make Sure, Terminal Marked

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