Do you have a household lamp that is in need of a new polarized plug? The good news is that it isn’t that difficult or expensive to do. Based on my experience, a polarized plug with screw terminals will cost you anywhere from $2 to $7 through a lighting or home improvement store. The new installation will also take you roughly 10 minutes to complete. Here’s how to do it:
Supplies
In order to install a new polarized plug onto your household lamp, you will need to make a handful of purchases. For starters, you’ll need to buy the replacement plug. Keep in mind that there are different kinds of polarized plugs. As such, you will want to make sure that you purchase one that is identical in amperage and design to the old one. You’ll also want to have a retractable utility knife, a Phillips screwdriver and a flat-head screwdriver nearby.
Remove the Old Polarized Plug
Begin by unplugging the lamp. With the aid of your retractable utility knife, cleanly cut the old polarized plug off of the lamp’s cord. Next, separate and remove less than an inch of insulation from the lamp’s cord. Once that is done, remove your new polarized plug from its packaging.
Install the New Polarized Plug
Using your screwdriver, remove the new polarized plug’s cover. Doing so will give you access to the polarized plug’s terminal screws. Once the terminal screws are exposed, you’ll need to attach one section of un-insulated lamp cord to each one. In order to maintain the integrity of the plug’s polarity, you will need to use caution when attaching the wires to the terminal screws. The neutral wire gets attached to the silver terminal screw and the hot wire gets attached to the brass terminal screw.
If you are not sure which wire is the neutral one, take look at the lamp cord’s existing insulation. In general, the ridged side of the cord contains the neutral wire. You can also test the wire with a voltmeter. Voltmeters may be purchased through most home improvement stores. A basic voltmeter will tend to cost you $20. Of course there are more expensive models of voltmeters available as well. After you have attached the lamp’s cord to the terminal screws, replace the polarized plug’s cover. Finish the job by plugging in the lamp and making sure that it works.
Potential Problems
If after replacing the polarized plug the lamp still doesn’t work, it could mean one of several things. You may have inadvertently crossed the wires or purchased a faulty polarized plug. In addition, there could be something wrong with the lamp’s cord, socket or light bulb. In any event, you’ll want to test the lamp’s electrical parts, one-by-one, until you figure out what went wrong.
Source: Personal Experience
Killeen Gonzalez has a history of completing DIY home improvement projects with her family.
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