If you have just moved into your first home its useful to know a little electrical maintenance work in case of emergencies. The following article is a practical guide to wiring a plug safely and some general information on fuses.
How to wire a plug
Wiring a plug is not a difficult process but extreme care and attention must be taken so that no wires get crossed resulting in electrocution or electrical fires.
1. Strip off the outer insulation of the wire approx 4cm (advised)
2. Once you have removed the insulation to leave about 1cm of exposed metal core on each wire. Twist the strands of wire together tightly.
3. Connect the wires to the correct terminals. The brown Live wire to the terminal on the fuse holder marked L, the blue Neutral wire to the terminal marked N and the green and yellow Earth wire to the terminal at the top of the plug marked E or .
Some appliances do not have an earth wire because they are double insulated and have no exposed metal parts - marked
4. Fit the exposed metal core of each wire through or each terminal and tighten the terminal screws. Ensure that the insulation reaches right up to each terminal and that there are no loose strands of wire.
5. Fit the flex firmly into the cord-grip making sure that the grip fastens on the outer insulating sleeve of the flex.
6. Read the instructions on the appliance to see what rating of fuse is required and input the correct fuse in the plug.
7. Fit the plug cover - make sure that none of the outer insulation has been split, cracked or chipped.
Fuses
A fuse 'fusible link', is a type of protection it’s use is to help control the follow of current to a device and cut out with damaging the device. As its critical component, a metal wire or strip will melt when heated by a prescribed electric current, opening the circuit of which it is a part, and so protecting the circuit from an over current condition.
A practical fuse was one of the essential features of Edison's electrical power distribution system. An early fuse was said to have successfully protected an Edison installation from tampering by a rival gas-lighting concern.
Properly-selected fuse are an essential part of a power distribution system to prevent fire or damage due to overload or short-circuits. Usually the maximum size of the over current device for a circuit is regulated by law.