Contents
1 – Not All Domestic Plugs Are The Same2 – Standard Plug3 – Tools For The Job4 – The Inner Workings Of The Plug5 – Replacing The Fuse6 – The Last Bit7 – Insulated Or Moulded Plugs8 – What If It Blows The New Fuse
We all have appliances in our homes, whether it is the TV set, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, alarm clock, toaster, or chargers and one thing they all have in common is the plug. Some will be from new devices and others from old ones, but all should have the same interior wiring design.
Three wires need to be connected, and they are three different colours, and each colour signifies a specific use.
From time to time, you may need to open the plug to remove and replace the fuse, and some may have never done this before. Have no fear. It is straightforward, and there is no need to call an electrician.
Today we can teach you something and save you money on an electrician. Learning a new skill which will last you a lifetime in the process.
Not All Domestic Plugs Are The Same
Some eagle-eyed readers will have noticed that not all plugs are the same in the UK; some appliances will have an insulated or moulded cable that goes into the actual plug cover, as in this picture.
These are usually found on kitchen items and any electrical appliance that may be in contact with water and are a fantastic safety feature that is not just a safety feature but an idea to make changing the fuse easier for the average consumer.
Plugs in the UK do NOT have to be moulded as standard, but the regulator seriously considers this a future requirement for all electrical appliances.
We will show you how to change the fuses on these types of plugs later on.
Standard PlugUK plugs have three pins that plug into a terminal (plug socket)
Most of us will have this type of plug cover on at least one electrical appliance that we own, which has been the most common for many years. The main reason for needing to open this is that the fuse would have blown and therefore need to be replaced.
This is a very easy job to replace, but first of all, you must ensure that you have the correct new fuse for the appliance, as there are two standard fuses in most UK appliances.
For any appliance with a rating of 700 Watts and BELOW, you will need a 3amp fuse.
For any appliance with a rating of 700 Watts and ABOVE, you will need a 13amp fuse.
These are available at any hardware store or do-it-yourself shop and will cost anything from 50p for one or £2.50 for a packet of 10.
The exterior of the plug will generally have this embossed into it, but no need to worry if you can’t see that, as the blown fuse will have it printed on the side.
Tools For The Job
No need to crack out the whole toolbox on this one, as all you will need is a couple of screwdrivers. Both flathead screwdriver and Phillips screwdriver as the screw heads will often differ from the exterior plug cover to those on the interior, but not in all cases.
The interior screws are generally very small and almost always a flathead, so if you do have a small flathead screwdriver, it will make this job so much easier.
The exterior casing will have three screws that you can see, and all three will need to be loosened but not entirely removed, as most of these screws will have a wonderfully handy device that prevents them from being entirely removed, which means you have less chance of losing them while unscrewing.
The Inner Workings Of The Plug
Once you have done that, then the plug can come apart to reveal the inner workings. As per the diagram, you have three different coloured cables, and each one has a specific job and therefore has to be returned to its original place.
The wires for the plug of any consumer unit should look like thisBlue Wire: This is the neutral wire, and it carries the circuit back to the power source, which in most cases is the fuse box.Brown Wire: This is the live wire, and this is the one that actually feeds the power to the plug. It carries 220-230 volts, and this is the one that can give you an electric shock.Green & Yellow Wire: This is known as the earth wire, and although not necessary for the power to the plug, it is vital as it is the safety feature that will shut off the power supply in the event of a fault.
Top Tip: Even if you are only changing the fuse, it is a great idea to tighten up any of the screws that retain these wires whilst the plug is open, as any preventative maintenance is always a good idea.
Replacing The Fuse
This today, is a much easier task to replace than that of yesteryear when the old fuse house casing would have to be removed entirely (I am showing my age here, I know). Still, this is the most straightforward part of the process in today’s modern world, as the fuse is held at either end and can be gently pulled out of its housing.
The next job is to push the new fuse into the fuse holder, and that is the job done.
The Last Bit
Simply fit the two pieces of the plug casing together and tighten down the three holding screws, ensuring they are fully tightened, and then plug in the device to the mains and switch the appliance back on to test.
Insulated Or Moulded PlugsWith all electricals you should unplug the device before undertaking any maintenance
As we mentioned before, modern plugs are fast becoming insulated or moulded versions as health safety standards become more stringent and, therefore, safer for the consumer. You will find more and more electrical appliances have them fitted as standard.
This is making us a safer environment to live in and much easier to replace fuses once they have blown.
A small, rectangular box on the back cover of one of these moulded plugs is usually between the top and bottom pins, and on either side of the box are two tiny holes. These holes allow your small flathead screwdriver to be inserted and gently removed. This cover will flip open, but as with the screws on the standard UK plug, these flaps are usually still connected to the main body of the plug, thus ensuring, once again, you do not lose this vital part of the plug.
Here is the house of the old fuse, which is housed in two small clamps at either end and can be removed easily by hand, or if a little tight, you can use the small screwdriver to prize the fuse out. With that done, you can insert the replacement fuse and return the rectangular cover back to the plug.
Once again, plug in the appliance and switch it on as a means of testing.
What If It Blows The New Fuse
If, for any reason, the replacement fuse does blow again, causing faults like a short circuit, then seek the advice of a qualified electrician, as the issue may be more severe than just the fuse.