Can You Replace the Cord on an Electrical Appliance to Fix It?

Reasons to Replace Cords

• Cords can easily be damaged by yanking on the cord to unplug it, which could rub the cord on other objects or wall corners and lead to exposed wires. Pets might also chew on a cord. Outside of a cord being damaged, it could also be short, tempting you to use an extension cord to connect the appliance to a nearby outlet. However, replace the original cord with a longer one instead, because you shouldn't use an extension cord with such appliances as a microwave, space heater or iron.

Removing the Cord

• Always unplug the appliance before you begin working on it in any way, including when you are replacing the cord. Disassemble the appliance to reach the cord's connection to it. The cord can be connected in different ways, meaning you might simply have to take out a knot and disconnect the wire ends, remove a clamp or you might need to use a screwdriver to remove terminal screws. Just reverse the steps when you install the new cord.

Use the Right Replacement

• Different types of electrical appliances use different types of cords, so make sure that you install a replacement cord sized to fit the specific appliance. For example, smaller appliances like toasters and blenders use either 10-gauge or 12-gauge wire, while large air conditioners use 3-wire, 6-gauge or 8-gauge cords. 3-wire cords signify the appliance has to be grounded to operated safely. The wire gauge refers to the diameter, or thickness, of the wire, with lower numbers denoting thicker wires. You can make certain you get the right size by taking the old cord with you to obtain the replacement, after you remove it.

The Plug

• When you get a new cord, it might come with an attached plug or it may not, in which case you need to wire the plug. Also, if the problem with the appliance cord is very near the plug, or the problem is with the plug, you can remove the plug and replace just the plug, instead of replacing the whole cord.