How to Change a 120-Volt Electric Plug

Replacing a 120-volt electric plug is a common do-it-yourself home repair that requires little in the way of skill and few tools. The secret to this repair is to select the right male cord cap or plug for the electrical wire. There are two basic types of 120-volt plugs, two-prong polarized and three-prong grounding. The easiest way to buy the right replacement cord cap is to take the old plug to the hardware store or home center with you.

Replacing a Two-Prong Polarized or Three-Prong Grounding Plug

• 1

  Cut the old plug off the electric cord and take it to the hardware store or home center to buy a replacement. Most modern electrical plugs are molded plugs and have to be cut off the cord. Cut the cord with the wire-cutting pliers as close to the plug as possible.

• 2

  Remove 1 1/2 inches of the wire's outer jacket. Using the wire-cutting pliers, carefully cut around the outer jacket. Slide the jacket off the wires.

• 3

  Remove 1/2 inch of insulation from the white, black and green insulated wires with the wire strippers. Be careful not to cut any of the thin copper strands while stripping the insulation from the wire. Twist the stranded ends tightly together in a clockwise direction.

• 4

  Slide the body of the new plug over the cord. Connect the black wire to the brass terminal, the white wire to the silver terminal and the green wire to the green terminal. Slip the stripped ends of the wires behind the terminal screws and tighten the screws down on the wires. Check to make sure that none of the insulation got under the screws.

• 5

  Push the prong assembly into the plug body and tighten the screws. Tighten the cord clamp down on the cord.

Installing a Polarized Quick-Connect Plug on Lamp Cord

• 1

  Cut the molded plug off the lamp cord. Lamp cord is the common name for any flat, two-wire electrical cord. Cut the wire square.

• 2

  Slide the plug body over the lamp cord.

• 3

  Spread the prongs apart on the prong assembly and insert the lamp cord into the assembly with the ribbed side of the cord on the side with the widest prong. The side of the cord with the rib is the neutral side of the cord.

• 4

  Push the prongs together and shove the prong assembly into the plug's body until it clicks into place.