How To Repair A Lamp Cord That Is Cut

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Over time, the electrical cord around the lamp plug may get damaged and finish working. If you accept a damaged lamp plug, try to supercede it equally before long as possible to reduce the risk of stupor or electrical burn down. Luckily repairing your lamp by replacing the old plug is a pretty easy set. It simply takes a few minutes of work and supplies you tin can get from your local hardware store. Exist sure to pay attention to which wires connect to the prongs and then you're able to adhere them correctly to the new plug.

1
Unplug the lamp from the electrical outlet. Plow off the lamp at the switch for added protection against electric daze. Grab the base of operations of the plug and pull it straight out from the wall outlet. Avoid touching the prongs since they may even so have a minor charge left in them.^[1]
- Never cut a cord while it's yet plugged in, or else you lot could go seriously injured from electrical shock.
- If there's impairment on the power cord near the plug, wear rubber insulated gloves so you don't take to touch on whatsoever exposed wires.
2
Cut the erstwhile plug and 1–2 in (two.v–5.ane cm) of the cord with a utility knife. To start the process of replacing the plug, measure 1–two inches (2.v–five.1 cm) down from the plug and carefully slice through the cord with a utility knife. Make the cut equally directly as possible so you're less likely to fray the wires. Throw away the old plug as soon as you cutting it off.^[two]
- If you have trouble cutting the string with a utility knife, endeavor using a pair of pair of scissors instead.
Tip: If there are cracks, holes, or frays anywhere else on the cord, remove the damaged section too.

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3
Separate the wires on the last 1 in (2.5 cm) of the cord. Look for the thinner section of insulation running through the middle of the lamp string. Brand a ¹⁄₂ in (i.three cm) cutting in the middle of the cord, making certain you don't damage any of the internal wires. Hold onto the each side of the string and gently pull it apart until you carve up i inch (2.5 cm).^[3]
- If your lamp cord doesn't have a thin slice of insulation running down the eye, carefully slice through the cord's insulation to betrayal ane inch (two.5 cm) of the wires inside of it.
4
Remove ⁱ⁄₂ in (1.three cm) of insulation off of each wire with wire strippers. Grip 1 of the wires in the jaws on a pair of wire strippers so it's ⁱ⁄_ii inch (ane.3 cm) from the finish. Squeeze the handles together to clamp down on the insulation and pull the strippers toward the end of the cord. Throw away the piece of insulation that comes off of the wire. Repeat the process on the other wire so they're both exposed.^[4]
- If your lamp has a 3rd wire for a grounding port, strip it as well.
5
Twist the frayed ends of the exposed wires and so they're easier to attach. Grip the exposed end on one of the wires and squeeze together whatever frayed ends. Rotate them clockwise so they form into a solid wire that doesn't fray. Repeat the process for the other wire on the power cord.^[five]
- Don't twist the 2 wires together since you lot won't be able to attach them to the plug.
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ane
Get a polarized replacement plug for your lamp. Opt for a replacement plug that has 1 prong that's wider than the other since it provides the most protection against electrical overload. Avoid using non-polarized plugs, or plugs where the prongs have the aforementioned width, since they aren't up to electrical lawmaking. Choose a plug that has a like colour to the lamp's ability cord and then it doesn't clash.^[half-dozen]
- You tin buy polarized replacement plugs from your local hardware store.
- If your original lamp plug had a grounding prong, make sure you buy a replacement plug with ane besides.
two
Unscrew the back embrace from the replacement plug. Utilise a screwdriver to remove the screws belongings the replacement plug together. Pull the plastic comprehend off of the plug to separate it from the section that contains the prongs and screws. Set the screws aside while y'all're working so you don't misplace them.^[7]
- Some replacement plugs have a hinge rather than a cover. Remove the screw property the plug together and pull the sides autonomously to open the hinge.
3
Slide the encompass onto the lamp's string. Concur the 2 wires from the lamp together and so they're able to fit through the back pigsty of the embrace. Button the embrace onto the wires and pull them through to the other side. Go along the encompass about three–iv inches (7.half dozen–ten.two cm) from the end of the cord while you lot work and then information technology doesn't get in the style.^[8]
- If the replacement plug you're using has a swivel instead of a divide cover, you may skip this step.
4
Secure the wire with ribbed insulation to the plug's silver neutral screw. Await at the insulation on each wire and find the one that has the ribbed edges, which means it's the neutral wire. Bend the wire into a small hook and put information technology underneath the silvery spiral on the replacement plug's prongs so the wire goes around information technology clockwise. Tighten the screw with your screwdriver so information technology firmly presses confronting the wires.^[nine]
- The silver screw connects to the wider prong on a polarized plug, which is the neutral or negative side.
- If your lamp has 3 wires, and then the neutral wire may take white insulation rather than having a ribbed texture.
Variation: If neither of the wires has ribbed insulation, then information technology doesn't thing which one you adhere to the screw.^[ten]
5
Hook the wire with the polish insulation on the plug's brass screw. Locate the wire that has smooth edges along the sides of the insulation, and bend the exposed end into a hook. Put the wire underneath the brass spiral on the side of the replacement plug so it wraps around the screw clockwise. Tighten the screw with your screwdriver and so the wire has a firm connection.^[11]
- The brass screw connects to the smaller prong, which is the "hot" or positive side.
- If your lamp has 3 wires, so use the wire that has red or black insulation.
6
Adhere the ground wire to the green screw, if your lamp has 1. Await for the green wire from the lamp string and bend a small-scale hook shape on the exposed end. Locate the green spiral on the replacement plug and tuck the wire underneath information technology. Tighten the screw so the wire doesn't come loose.^[12]
- Most household lamps don't have a footing wire, only they may if they are industrial-forcefulness lights or use high-wattage bulbs.
vii
Screw the plug back onto the encompass to hide the wires. Slide the plastic cover dorsum over the ends of the wires and hold it against the prongs. Bank check the cord to make sure none of the exposed wires stick out from the back of the plug. Identify the screws back in the holes and plow them clockwise to tighten them.^[13]
- If you're using a hinged replacement plug, then guide the cords into the hole at the back of the plug before snapping information technology closed. Tighten the screw on the plug so information technology stays airtight.
8
Plug in your lamp to test if information technology turns on. Employ an outlet that yous know works then y'all know there aren't whatsoever other electrical problems preventing the lamp from turning on. Plug the lamp into the outlet and switch it on to see if it lights up. If it works, then put the lamp back on its original outlet.^[14]
- If the lamp still doesn't work, take apart the plug and cheque that yous connected the wires to the correct screws. Switch them if you demand to before trying the lamp again. If it still doesn't piece of work, then there may be a problem with the lamp'due south bulb socket instead.
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Never work on a lamp plug while it'due south still plugged in since you could shock or electrocute yourself.
Don't get out whatever exposed wires outside of the plug because it could increase the take a chance of stupor or fire.

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Things You'll Demand

Utility pocketknife
Wire stripper
Polarized replacement plug
Screwdriver

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