1 Check plug
2Check fuse
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS
197
FAULTY APPLIANCE
1 Check plug
• Loosen the large screw between the pins and remove the plug cover.
• Check the wiring inside the plug for loose connections.
• Check that each wire is securely attached to the correct terminal – black to Hot, white to Neutral, and brown( if present) to Ground( see Rewiring a plug, below).
• If the plug is a sealed unit, you will have to call an electrician to check why the appliance is not working.
DO’ S AND DON’ TS
DO
• Turn off appliances at the wall outlet when not in use.
• Switch off the wall outlet and remove the plug before you attempt to repair an appliance
• Have your wiring checked by a professional at least once every 5 years.
DON’ T
• Touch plugs, outlets, or switches if your hands are wet.
• Replace a blown fuse with one of higher amperage: this can result in overheated wiring and fire.
• Attempt electrical work unless you are confident that you know what to do.
ESSENTIALS
ELECTRICITY TOOL KIT
• Flashlight and batteries
• Spare plugs
• Plug fuses
• Fuse wire( for rewirable fuses) or cartridge fuses( for replaceable fuses)
• Outlet analyzer
• Voltage tester( for checking whether live electricity is present)
• Small screwdriver
• Wire cutters / strippers
2Check fuse
• Turn off appliances on the circuit, if known.
• Locate the fuse box and examine the filament strips visible through
the mica window of each fuse.
• A blown fuse has a melted strip, seen through a halo of smoky
metallic residue.
• Unscrew the threaded ceramic fuse from its receptacle, and replace it
with one of the same amperage.
• Turn fixtures and appliances on again, one by one.
REWIRING A PLUG |
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• Remove the plug cover, loosen the terminal screws,
and ease out the cord.
• Position the cord on the plug with the wires placed in
their correct positions to gauge whether you need to remove any of the cord’ s outer insulation.
• If necessary, use wire strippers to cut away 2 in( 50 mm) of
the outer insulation, then reposition the cord.
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• Cut each wire to length( each one should be long enough
to reach its terminal) and use wire strippers to remove 1 ⁄ 4 in( 6 mm) of insulation from the end of each wire.
• Replace the cord in the plug, fit the cord grip
loosely, and push each wire carefully into its terminal.
• Tighten each terminal screw down on to its wire and refit
the plug cover.
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Hot wire( black) |
Ground wire( brown)
Neutral wire( white)
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