Something I really should be capable of - plug wiring

bbill335

After reading this thread and getting fed up with the short power lead on my PPjr, I've done the snip and am ready to connect the male IEC C14 connector to the PPjr.

But I can't work out how to do it. It's not like a mains plug, nor is it anything like the IEC plugs I used when my mom went through the lead on her hedge trimmers.

It looks a bit like this on the inside


I was expecting to be able to just screw down the copper core like a mains plug but... can't get it to work 

Sporky

Make sure you've wrapped the wire around the screws so that it's pulled in when you tighten them.

bbill335

Sporky said:

Make sure you've wrapped the wire around the screws so that it's pulled in when you tighten them.

I've tried that and the screw threads cut the wire as a screwed it down? Or do you mean just wrap it around the very top of the screw so that it sandwiches the stripped copper?

Veganic

Why not just put a 13A plug on it?

bbill335

Veganic said:

Why not just put a 13A plug on it?

Because it's really bloody short

Sporky

bbill335 said:

Sporky said:

Make sure you've wrapped the wire around the screws so that it's pulled in when you tighten them.

I've tried that and the screw threads cut the wire as a screwed it down? Or do you mean just wrap it around the very top of the screw so that it sandwiches the stripped copper?

The copper should go between the washer under the screw head, and the contact itself.

randella

bbill335 said:

Sporky said:

Make sure you've wrapped the wire around the screws so that it's pulled in when you tighten them.

I've tried that and the screw threads cut the wire as a screwed it down? Or do you mean just wrap it around the very top of the screw so that it sandwiches the stripped copper?

Yep - the stripped copper should be sandwiched between the head of the screw and the washer.  Wrap it round clockwise so as the screw tightens, it pulls in the wire - i.e. if the wire is coming into the plug from the bottom (like a mains plug), start to the left of the screw and wrap it around to the right.

Leave as little bare wire showing as possible and don't overtighten the screw.

randella

Pah, @Sporky wins again

bbill335

Sporky said:

bbill335 said:

Sporky said:

Make sure you've wrapped the wire around the screws so that it's pulled in when you tighten them.

I've tried that and the screw threads cut the wire as a screwed it down? Or do you mean just wrap it around the very top of the screw so that it sandwiches the stripped copper?

The copper should go between the washer under the screw head, and the contact itself.

No washer on this (I'm assuming cheap piece of shit) plug but I'll keep trying to get it right.

I'm surprised there aren't more pictures/videos about how to do this. You can google how to do most things on most models of car and get a detailed explanation but wiring up a kettle lead? You're on your own, Billy!

Veganic

bbill335 said:

Veganic said:

Why not just put a 13A plug on it?

Because it's really bloody short

Must be really really short then. Won't you  be putting it into a extension of some kind anyway?

Then I agree with the other posters except I'd call it anti-clockwise wrapping? Lay the end then wrap anti-clockwise.

Sporky

It'll be darned hard if there's no washer. Can you clamp under the contact? Or do you have washers?

bbill335

How does that look?

Veganic

Have a wisdom - on condition that you put the plastic top on.

BigMonka

I thought the cable clamp should be on the outer cable insulation rather on the individual cores (i.e. I'd say you've stripped the insulation too far back)
Edit: and I think you should use washers under the screw head to make a more secure wire-squasher

bbill335

BigMonka said:

I thought the cable clamp should be on the outer cable insulation rather on the individual cores (i.e. I'd say you've stripped the insulation too far back)
Edit: and I think you should use washers under the screw head to make a more secure wire-squasher

I'll put some tape around it, for now, to make the stress reliever more snug as well. I'll try and find some washers but my flat ain't exactly CPC. Once I get the washers I can redo it so the outer insulation is in the right place.

BUT it should be good to go, right?

BigMonka

Yeah it should be fine, it's robustness which it looks like it's currently lacking.
The plus side is that you're wiring the load side of the connection, so if you pulled the cable and it came out you'd be safe as the live parts (i.e. the pins) would be left within the insulated plug housing.

bbill335

Thanks for the guidance, everybody!

I wonder what it was I used to fix those hedge trimmers. It was a lot easier to put together and was a lot more secure, like a 13a