How to wire a plug
Quick answer: Unplug the appliance, open the plug, strip the outer sleeve, connect brown to the live terminal (bottom right, fuse side), blue to neutral (bottom left) and green and yellow to earth (top), fit the right fuse, and clamp the outer sleeve under the cord grip.
Most appliances now come with a moulded plug that cannot be opened, so rewiring a plug is mainly for older appliances, extension leads, or when a plug has been damaged. Wiring one wrongly is dangerous, so take your time and check it twice.
If the appliance has a moulded plug that is damaged, do not cut it off and refit a new one unless the manufacturer allows it. Some people replace the whole lead or have the appliance repaired.
What you will need
- A new 13A plug (BS 1363 marked)
- A small screwdriver
- Wire strippers or a sharp craft knife
- The correct fuse (3A, 5A or 13A), see below
- A cable that is in good condition
Step by step
Unplug and check the cable
Make sure the cable is disconnected from the mains. Check the cable is not frayed or damaged. If it is, replace the whole lead.
Open the plug
Undo the screw in the middle of the plug and lift off the cover. Undo the cord grip, the clamp at the bottom, and the three terminal screws.
Strip the outer sleeve
Take about 3 cm of outer sleeve off the cable, without nicking the wires inside. Then strip about 1 cm from the end of each inner wire.
Connect the wires
Hold the plug with the earth pin (the top one) at the top. Green and yellow goes to the top terminal (E, earth). Blue goes to the bottom left terminal (N, neutral). Brown goes to the bottom right terminal (L, live), next to the fuse.
Tighten and check
Tighten each terminal screw firmly. No bare copper should show outside the terminal, and no stray strands. Tug each wire gently to check.
Clamp the cable
Put the cord grip over the outer sleeve (not the inner wires) and tighten. The grip must hold the cable, not the wires, so a pull cannot yank the wires out.
Fit the right fuse
Use a 3A fuse for appliances up to about 700 watts (lamps, radios, TVs, laptops). Use 5A for 700 to 1,200 watts. Use 13A for anything above that, like kettles, toasters and heaters. If the appliance gives a rating, use the nearest fuse above it. Close the cover and refit the screw.
Tips
- Double-insulated appliances (the symbol of two squares, one inside the other) have only two wires, brown and blue, and no earth wire. The earth terminal stays empty.
- If the appliance label says what fuse to use, follow it.
- If the plug gets hot or the fuse keeps blowing, stop using it and get the appliance and wiring checked.
Stop and get help if
- The cable is damaged, melted or has had electrical tape on it: replace the lead.
- You are not sure which wire goes where. Ask a qualified electrician: a wrongly wired plug can cause shock or fire.
- The appliance has a moulded plug. Do not cut it off and fit another unless instructed by the manufacturer.
- It is a fixed fitting, a cooker or a shower. Those are not plug-in jobs.
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Common questions
What colour wire goes where in a plug?
Brown to live (L), blue to neutral (N), green and yellow to earth (E). The live terminal is bottom right with the fuse, neutral is bottom left, and earth is at the top.
What fuse should I use?
3A for items up to about 700W (lamps, TVs, laptops), 5A for 700 to 1,200W, and 13A for items over that such as kettles and heaters.
Is it legal to wire my own plug?
Yes, you can fit a replacement plug to an appliance lead if you do it correctly. If you are unsure, use a competent person.
More guides
Last reviewed 17 October 2026. This guide is general information for UK homes and is not a substitute for the manufacturer's instructions. If the job involves gas, mains wiring, asbestos, structural work or working at height, or you are unsure, ask a suitably qualified person.