How to Replace an Electrical Cord

Have you ever had a lamp that only worked when you wiggled the wire? Or perhaps the fan was fine, but thank God it wasn’t plugged in while the puppy chewed the cord in two. I could go on, but you understand. The appliance is worthless now unless you can plug it into the wall. It needs a new cord, so how do I do that? It really isn’t rocket science. Most electrical appliances are relatively easy to repair once you know how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
Replacement cord (or extension cord)
Screwdriver
Wire Cutters
Wire strippers (or knife)
Wire connectors (three)
Electrical Tape (optional)
Solder gun (optional)

Step 1:
Open the appliance by removing the screws that hold it together. Some appliances are held together with safety screws and are next to impossible to open without the proper tool. You can buy the tool or forget it. However, most common appliances like hair dryers, irons, mixers drills, etc. use a straight or phillips screwdriver.

With a lamp you only need to lace the cord through.

Always be careful when opening the appliance incase there are any parts that might fall out.

TIP: Take a picture with your cell phone or camera if necessary so that you put everything back the way you found it.

Step 2:
Remove the cord from the appliance. Different appliances use different switches and relays. Usually the cord is connected to a switch. It may be screwed on, soldered on, or connected with a wire connector. The only one that might cause a problem is if it’s soldered on. If you don’t know how to use a soldering gun (or don’t have one), I suggest cutting the cord you are replacing about 2-3 inches from the switch with the wire cutters. Wire cutters are usually a part of most wire strippers.

Step 3:
Get your replacement cord ready to install. If you want an exact match, I suggest taking your old cord to the local hardware and asking them for one. If you are using an extension cord, keep the male end (the end that plugs into the wall) as long as you want it and cut off the rest. Separate the wires approximately 2-3 inches long and use your wire strippers (or knife) to remove the insulation off of the individual wires. Strip the insulation off about ½ inch from the end. Then place the cord through any openings that might be necessary to get the cord into the appliance the same way the old one was installed.

Step 4:
Attach the new cord to your appliance. If you unsoldered the wires, then solder the new ones in. Make sure you put the same colored wires back on the same connection. If you cut the wires, then strip them about ½ inch and connect the new wires using the wire connectors.

To connect the wires with wire connectors, you just put the wires together and screw them on. It’s really THAT easy.

If you unscrewed the wires from a screw, then just reattach them.

If you have electrical tape, it never hurts to use it to help insulate the wires from touching anything. You can wrap it around the places that you attached wires.

If you took a picture, it might help you to be sure all of your wires are connected properly.

Step 5:
Close up your appliance. Be sure that all of the components are where they belong and put the appliance back together. Tighten down all screws to secure it.

Step 6:
Plug in the appliance to test it out and enjoy the rewarding feeling that you did it yourself.