New plug shorting out circuit
#1
12-04-13, 06:54 PM
New plug shorting out circuit
I'm new to this forum so please tell me if there is information I haven't included. So I am trying to instal a new plug end to a space heater. The previous plug had a corroded tip. I believe I replaced the plug properly, green to green then hot and neutral. Although when I removed the sleeve the hot and neutral had no sleeves so I'm not sure which was which but from my understanding it was unimportant which was which when reconnecting it. When I plugged it in, before even turning it on, it shorted out the circuit. Any help would be great?
#2
12-04-13, 07:07 PM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
You did put the ground on the green screw, right.
Most likely cause is you have a loose wire touching the ground screw.
Most likely cause is you have a loose wire touching the ground screw.
#3
12-04-13, 07:09 PM
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From a safety stand point it really should be wired with the correct polarity.
Your heater cord likely has stranded wire in which case one side of the cord will have either markings or ribs on the outer cover. The other side will be smooth and unmarked.
The wire side with the rib and/or markings will be the *neutral*.
When your are securing the stranded wire to the plug --- twist the strands before securing to the terminal. Ensure there are no strands from the wires sticking out from it's terminal which can brige over to another prong causing a short.
Are you also certain there isn't a problem with the heater that could also be causing a short ? Could even be the cord inside the heater is broken.
Your heater cord likely has stranded wire in which case one side of the cord will have either markings or ribs on the outer cover. The other side will be smooth and unmarked.
The wire side with the rib and/or markings will be the *neutral*.
When your are securing the stranded wire to the plug --- twist the strands before securing to the terminal. Ensure there are no strands from the wires sticking out from it's terminal which can brige over to another prong causing a short.
Are you also certain there isn't a problem with the heater that could also be causing a short ? Could even be the cord inside the heater is broken.
#4
12-05-13, 07:16 AM
Welcome to the forums!
Was there a reason, other than you just didn't like the way it looked, for replacing the plug? IOW, was the heater working the way it should before?
Was the plug you removed a 3-prong plug?
It sounds like you're saying that when you stripped the outer sheath off the old cord you found two conductors - presumably the hot and neutral - that has no insulation. If so, you need to strip the cord back further, until you see all three conductors with pliable insulation on them. Then strip each conductor, carefully, and attach the new plug.
Lack of insulation on the ungrounded (hot) conductor creates an opportunity for a direct short and creates a hazard of a fire. If you can't find good insulation on each conductor in your existing cord, you'll need to replace the cord. You should be able to find a proper-size replacement cord with a plug already installed on one end.
I am trying to instal a new plug end to a space heater. The previous plug had a corroded tip.
Was the plug you removed a 3-prong plug?
when I removed the sleeve the hot and neutral had no sleeves
Lack of insulation on the ungrounded (hot) conductor creates an opportunity for a direct short and creates a hazard of a fire. If you can't find good insulation on each conductor in your existing cord, you'll need to replace the cord. You should be able to find a proper-size replacement cord with a plug already installed on one end.
