How NOT to wire a (UK) mains plug: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "This page illustrates a number of different faults in wiring a mains plug, , all of them dangerous. ==Summary== Wiring a mains plug is not hard, and most of the ptfalls are easy to recognise. Retaining the basic structure, replace all the text of this page with your own content. ===Safety=== 30px|left ::A badly or incorrectly wired mains plug can create a risk of electric shock or fire. ==Ho NOT to do it!== File:BadPlug.jpg|600px|A mains plu...") Â |
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This page illustrates a number of different faults in wiring a mains plug | This page illustrates a number of different faults in wiring a mains plug, all of them potentially dangerous. | ||
==Summary== | ==Summary== | ||
Wiring a mains plug is not hard, and most of the | Wiring a mains plug is not hard, and most of the pitfalls are easy to recognise. | ||
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===Safety=== | ===Safety=== | ||
| Line 10: | Line 8: | ||
::A badly or incorrectly wired mains plug can create a risk of electric shock or fire. | ::A badly or incorrectly wired mains plug can create a risk of electric shock or fire. | ||
== | ==How NOT to do it!== | ||
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[[File:BadPlug.jpg|600px|A mains plug with multiple faults.]] | |||
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See how many faults you can spot before revealing the answers by clicking the down-arrows on the right. | |||
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
<div>'''Fault 1:'''</div> | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | |||
[[File:BadPlug-1.jpg|250px|text-bottom]]The plastic shell of the plug is broken. There must be '''no''' physical damage or signs of overheating. | |||
</div></div> | |||
 | |||
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
<div>'''Fault 2:'''</div> | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | |||
[[File:BadPlug-2.jpg|250px|text-bottom]]There is a piece of wire in place of the fuse. The plug '''must''' contain a suitably rated fuse, otherwise in the event of a fault, a dangerously large current may flow before one of the house fuses blows. | |||
</div></div> | |||
 | |||
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
<div>'''Fault 3:'''</div> | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | |||
[[File:BadPlug-3.jpg|250px|text-bottom]]The live (brown) and blue (neutral) wires are the wrong way round. The brown '''must''' go to the screw terminal next to the fuse and the blue to the screw terminal opposite. | |||
</div></div> | |||
 | |||
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
<div>'''Fault 4:'''</div> | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | |||
[[File:BadPlug-4.jpg|250px|text-bottom]]There is no screw in the earth screw terminal (with the green/yellow wire). All screws '''must''' be tight, otherwise the plug may overheat. In addition, the lack of a proper earth connection could be highly dangerous. | |||
</div></div> | |||
 | |||
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
<div>'''Fault 5:'''</div> | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | |||
[[File:BadPlug-5.jpg|250px|text-bottom]]The insulation on brown wire has been stripped back too far, leaving exposed copper. | |||
</div></div> | |||
 | |||
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
<div>'''Fault 6:'''</div> | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | |||
[[File:BadPlug-6.jpg|250px|text-bottom]]The blue wire has loose whiskers of wire which could cause a short circuit. | |||
</div></div> | |||
[[File:BadPlug.jpg| | <div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | ||
<div>'''Fault 7:'''</div> | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | |||
[[File:BadPlug-7.jpg|250px|text-bottom]]The cable clamp is clamping the inner wires, causing strain on the insulation. The outer sheath of the cable '''must''' be firmly clamped to prevent any strain on the connections or the inner (brown, blue and green/yellow) wires. | |||
</div></div> | |||
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | |||
<div>'''Fault 8:'''</div> | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | |||
[[File:BadPlug-8.jpg|250px|text-bottom]]Look carefully: in removing the outer sheath, the insulation on the brown wire has been nicked. The copper of the live wire is exposed. | |||
</div></div> | |||
[[Category:General]] | [[Category:General]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:44, 12 November 2022
This page illustrates a number of different faults in wiring a mains plug, all of them potentially dangerous.
Summary
Wiring a mains plug is not hard, and most of the pitfalls are easy to recognise.
Safety
- A badly or incorrectly wired mains plug can create a risk of electric shock or fire.
How NOT to do it!
See how many faults you can spot before revealing the answers by clicking the down-arrows on the right.
The plastic shell of the plug is broken. There must be no physical damage or signs of overheating.
There is a piece of wire in place of the fuse. The plug must contain a suitably rated fuse, otherwise in the event of a fault, a dangerously large current may flow before one of the house fuses blows.
The live (brown) and blue (neutral) wires are the wrong way round. The brown must go to the screw terminal next to the fuse and the blue to the screw terminal opposite.
There is no screw in the earth screw terminal (with the green/yellow wire). All screws must be tight, otherwise the plug may overheat. In addition, the lack of a proper earth connection could be highly dangerous.
The insulation on brown wire has been stripped back too far, leaving exposed copper.
The blue wire has loose whiskers of wire which could cause a short circuit.
The cable clamp is clamping the inner wires, causing strain on the insulation. The outer sheath of the cable must be firmly clamped to prevent any strain on the connections or the inner (brown, blue and green/yellow) wires.
Look carefully: in removing the outer sheath, the insulation on the brown wire has been nicked. The copper of the live wire is exposed.