How To Check The Home Electrical Installation

To maintain your electrical installation in perfect conditions it is necessary to check the plugs periodically. When one of them gives problems, it is advisable to fix it as soon as possible. In this post, we explain how to change a plugging step by step, as well as the safety parameters and necessary material.

Material To Change A Plug

A flathead screwdriver will be the only tool needed to change a plug. There is a wide variety of screwdrivers in the market, but in the case of the plug, you only need the best-known one. According to your preferences, you can use a manual or electric screwdriver.

New Plug

Before starting to remove the broken plug, have the mechanism to replace it by hand. In addition to the plug, you must acquire the base of the plug and frame that will accompany it. To choose the new plug, value the design and aesthetics of the article. It is also important that it matches the size and proportions of the mechanism that will replace it.

Although there are multiple models on the market (glass, wood, striped, metallic plugs...), remember that all the mechanisms work exactly the same. Next, to the plug, remember to acquire a new base for the plug you are going to install and everything will be ready for the installation to begin.

Step-By-Step Plug Installation

When changing the old mechanism for the new one, the first step is to close the general house light to avoid any risk of electric shock. Therefore, it is necessary to make the change during the day to have the necessary visibility thanks to sunlight.

Below we detail the steps to follow for the installation;

1. Remove the frame from the old plug. This piece is fixed under pressure and its extraction is done in the same way. You can insert the tip of the screwdriver between the frame of the plug and the wall to pry.

2. Unscrew the old plug and cover. First, unscrew the central cover, which is the plug itself. Normally it is provided with a screw in the center that you must unscrew. Next, remove the mechanism where the lid is embedded. This usually has two screws on the sides, one on the left and one on the right, which are usually hooked directly to the universal box. When you loosen the screws, you will see that the mechanism is already hanging outside the wall and with the cables on.

3. Disconnect the cables.  To disconnect the cables, pay attention to the connection system. The trimmers are small levers are placed by the back of the mechanism, in the area where the cable is connected. To release the mechanism, you must squeeze these levers and this pressure will cause the cable to come out. This operation should be repeated with the three cables, two above and one below, which are differentiated by colours:

•  Phase: is the blue or black cable, is on the top.
•  Neutral: it is the brown cable and it is also at the top.
•  Earthing: this is the green and yellow cable that is located in the lower part.

4. Connect the cables to the new mechanism.  Have both parts of the new plug at hand: the loose mechanism and the frame. Take the mechanism first to connect it to the cables. You must place two cables on top and one on the bottom:

• The blue/black cable is inserted into the hole marked with the letter L line.
• The brown wire is inserted in the letter N of neutral.
• The green and yellow wire are inserted in the lower hole.

To insert the cables, the procedure is simple: insert the cable into the remaining gap, release the lever and check that it has been properly secured. When making the change, make sure there is no loose copper wire. (You always need a reliable electrician, so make sure you reach them before something goes wrong) 

5. Insert the mechanism in the flush-mounted box. To fit the mechanism, insert the mechanism into the hole in the wall making sure that the long cables are bent at the back. Check that the cables have been left inside and no cables are left.

6. Screw the new mechanism. Once the mechanism has been fitted, you must put back the screws on the sides of the universal box. Normally this one has two small holes in each of its ends, which is where the screws should be fitted.

7. Place the frame and lid, if you prefer to use a trim. Once the mechanism is installed, only the plug cover and its corresponding frame need to be replaced.