Gallery, Projects and General > How to's

How To Wire a Plug

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Darren:
Usual disclaimers, this is how I do it and I never put the other end into the mains electricity supply. And I'm not suggesting you do either...
I just wire plugs up for the fun of it... :) :)


Ok, I bet you are all thinking "What the f***"

But the truth is not many people actually know how to wire up a simple plug properly, even though they may have done it many times. Even many electricians get it wrong..!!


This example is for a 3 phase lead, but the principles apply for ordinary domestic 13A three pin plugs that you use at home.

First you need to strip the insulation from the lead to expose the copper wire within. If you knick the copper, even if only slightly then you need to cut back and start again.

Do not knick the wire..... :poke:

If you have solid core then you can skip the next step. If you have multistrand as shown here then twist the strands between your fingers, flux and solder as shown.
This is because when you clamp the wire in the plug the fine strands can break thus reducing the capacity rating of the cable. The solder toughens then up into a solid mass.



Notice how the earth wire is much longer than the others.
This is very important and it is what most people get wrong. Making this mistake could cost you your life.  :zap:



The reasoning is this, and applies more in a domestic situation that anywhere else.

Cables get tugged regularly as part of their normal service. Be it a hoover, radio or whatever. Some items get well and truly tugged by their cords. Eventually the connections work loose and no matter what comes out first the earth should always be the last....!!

The earth won't come out cos the appliance will stop working first, but at least it's still earthed while that live wire is flapping about....!!!

John Hill:
Ummmm.... did you remember to thread the cap on the cable before wiring the plug? :coffee:

Darren:
 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Yep..... :thumbup:

Bernd:
Darren,

I was told once to not solder the stranded wire because if there is any vibration it will crack and break eventually. How true this is I don't know but it does make sense.

Bernd

foozer:
Not my favorite chore, only thing I ever remember for normal house wiring is "Black to Brass and Green to Ground." If I knew where the other went I could get rid of the candles.

Robert

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