Replacing Moulded Plug on Vacuum Cleaner

[witchqueenalex]

My daughter's puppy has chewed the moulded plug on my vacuum cleaner; it is no longer attached to the flex... Of course the (expensive) machine cannot function. How do I resolve this issue please without having to replace the vacuum cleaner? Is there a simple way to attach another plug? Many thanks for reading this.

 

[ericmark]

See this advert as example the plug

simply screws together.

 

[winston1]

But if you don't know how to fit a plug get someone who does to do it.

 

[ericmark]

Just a thought do some cleaners have a plug at cleaner end like with lawn mowers? If that is case then picture please.

I do remember pre-RCD my wife's sausage dog attacked the vacuum cleaner lead while every one was out. No bit was longer than 6 inches when we returned and fuse had not blown how the dog survived I don't know.

 

[Jackrae]

DIY Hot-Dog ?

 

[MarkBarl]

Replacement plugs can be purchased from any DIY store and probably many supermarkets as well. The following youtube video gives a good tutorial for wiring a plug including good tips to ensure that it is done correctly and avoid any simple mistakes. I would encourage you to give it a go and if you are at all unsure, get someone who knows to check it when you have finished.

 

[333rocky333]

Before throwing away the old plug, check the fuse size in the old plug, it may be that you need a lower rating than a 13 amp fuse, which is likely to be in your new plug

 

[Jackrae]

Not one of the world's better videos. Clearly produced by a DIYer without appreciation of the substandard quality of the plug used. Obviously she didn't know that side-cutters aren't pliers and failed to emphasise that the clamp must clamp onto the outer sheath. Also suggested that the fuse was there to protect the appliance - which it isn't.

 

[seasickstevie]

Started off saying you will need a phillips screwdriver ... what happened to it?



Unless the core of the flex is particularly thick, I always strip extra length and double it over.

 

[Jackrae]

I was taught to ensure that if the cable grip failed it was essential to ensure the line connection was pulled out first . ie ensure there was sufficient loose length of earth wire to avoid it being the first wire to fail. As to personal preference, I always go for MK plugs. Yes they may be expensive but their core clamping screws are far superior to the style where a screw bears down onto the wire with the risk of cutting strands. Their wedge type cable clamp is fairly fool-proof (well maybe not FOOL-proof)

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Before throwing away the old plug, check the fuse size in the old plug, it may be that you need a lower rating than a 13 amp fuse, which is likely to be in your new plug

It would never occur to me to not keep the fuse from a plug I was throwing out (assuming it was intact)

 

[PBC_1966]

A mention that some appliances might have no earth wire wouldn't have gone amiss either. Or that an old appliance cord might be red/black/green.

 

[seasickstevie]

... old appliance cord might be red/black/green.

I suspect she's far too young to ever have come across such a thing.

 

[bernardgreen]

Or that an old appliance cord might be red/black/green.

I recall a German washing machine "rescued" by a UK soldier about 1955 and bought home as a present for his wife. The Earth wire in the cable was red and he had fitted a UK plug on it.

Making off the brown without any slack and leaving as much slack as possible in the green/yellow mean that if ( when ) the cable is tugged partly
out of the plug the Live breaks before the Earth.

EDIT sorry missed Jakrea' post. He has already mentioned live breaking first

 

[PBC_1966]

I recall a German washing machine "rescued" by a UK soldier about 1955 and bought home as a present for his wife. The Earth wire in the cable was red and he had fitted a UK plug on it.

I believe a couple of other Germanic-influenced countries also used red for earth, as did one or two of the Scandinavian countries.