How to Replace Appliance Cords

On occasion, the electrical cord on an appliance will go bad and require fixing. Shorts, broken internal wire connections or some other flaw can stop electrical delivery to the appliance. Lamps and other small appliances use flat cords, while medium and larger-sized appliances use heavily insulated round cords. Obvious signs of cord damage are the best way to verify the need for a new cord. In some cases, only by replacing a cord is it possible to know the cord was the source of power loss. Thankfully, when a cord becomes damaged, it's not an impossible task to replace it.

Things You'll Need

• Electrical cord
• Wire stripper
• Screwdrivers
• Electrical tape

Instructions

1. Unplug the appliance, and remove any attached accessories, including light bulbs, lampshades, covers, adapters, etc. Open the appliance casing to get to the attached end of the power cord.

2. Disconnect the wires from the unit's power supply, and if necessary, remove any connectors or brackets that hold the cord in place within the appliance.

3. Thread a new cord into the appliance, being sure to replace the old cord exactly. It should follow the same path and be restrained again under any brackets or connectors.

4. Using wire strippers, remove the insulation from the ends of the two wires in the new cord. Make sure there is enough wire exposed to reconnect to the appliance.

5. Connect the loose wire ends to the appliance power supply, knotting or twisting the wires together or around the proper pole screws in the power supply. Wrap any remaining exposed wire with electrical tape to eliminate the risk of power shorts.

6. Reattach any cover over the appliance, but be sure not to pinch the new cord in its opening while doing so.

7. Plug the appliance into a power outlet, and activate the unit to make sure it works without any problems.

Tips & Warnings

• Verify the number of wires needed in the cord and gauge of wire needed to carry the proper current.

• If the old cord had a ground wire, it is important for the new cord to have one also.

• Be sure not to use a light-duty cord for an appliance that requires a heavy-duty cord.

• Some appliances with delicate circuitry like DVD players and computers are sensitive to power surges and are not ideal items for cord replacement.

• Never replace a three-prong grounded plug with a standard polarized two-prong plug.

References

• "Troubleshooting and Repairing Major Appliances, 2nd Ed.;" Eric Kleinert; 2007
• "Compact Disc Player Maintenance and Repair;" Gordon McComb; 1987