What to do when a plug breaks?

What causes a plug to break?

There are a few common reasons why a plug may break:

• Normal wear and tear – Plugs can become loose or deteriorate over time with repeated use. The constant plugging and unplugging of cords can eventually cause the prongs to bend or break.
• Faulty wiring – Faulty electrical wiring in a home can lead to power surges that can damage plugs. This excess electrical current passing through the plug can overheat the metal and cause it to become damaged or deformed.
• Poor quality – Low quality plugs made from inferior materials can be prone to breaking more easily. Cheap metal parts may bend or snap off with frequent use.
• Overloading – Plugging too many high wattage appliances into one outlet can overload the circuit. This can generate excessive heat in the plug and receptacle leading to melting or breakage.
• Damaged outlet – Outlets that are cracked, loose or corroded can damage plugs as they are inserted and removed. Any wiggle room can bend the plug prongs.
• Electrical fault – Specific faults in an appliance can send abnormal electrical flows back through the plug. This can blow a fuse or destroy the plug.
• Pets or pests – Rodents may chew on wiring which can compromise plug integrity. Pets may also play with and damage cords and plugs.
• Moisture – Exposure to liquids or damp environments can short circuit plugs and cause electrocution risks or fires.
• Physical force – Accidentally hitting, jamming, stepping on or bending a plug can knock the prongs out of alignment or snap them off entirely.

Signs that a plug is broken

There are some clear visual signs that indicate a plug is broken or damaged:

• Bent or wobbly prongs – Prongs that are askew, bent out of shape or loose indicate damage.
• Burn marks or melted plastic – Evidence of overheating from excess current flowing through.
• Exposed wires – Inner wires poking out signal the outer insulation has cracked open.
• Cracks or chips – Cracks in the plastic body or chips in the prongs are red flags.
• Corrosion – Rust, green oxidation or bluish deposits on the prongs from moisture.
• Blackened tips – Sooty black or charred prong tips indicate arcing or short circuiting.
• Loose connection – Plug wobbles or falls out of the receptacle indicating a loose fit.
• No electric flow – Appliance turning off unexpectedly or refusing to power on points to a bad plug.
• Buzzing, sizzling or popping sounds – Unusual noises from the outlet indicate arcing.
• Sparks – Seeing sparks or electrical arcing when plugging an appliance in is extremely dangerous.
• Burning smell – A distinct burning odor emanating from the plug or outlet suggests overheating.

Dangers of using a broken plug

It is unsafe to keep using an electrical plug once it has become damaged. Here are some of the major risks:

• Electric shock – Exposed wires on a broken plug can electrocute anyone who touches them.
• Electrical fires – Arcing and sparks from a faulty plug can easily ignite nearby flammable objects.
• Damage to devices – A malfunctioning plug can send irregular power flows that fry electronics and appliances.
• Injury from sparks – Small pops and sparks from a bad connection can burn skin.
• Damage to outlet – Continuing to use a bad plug may damage the electrical receptacle making it unusable.
• Appliance failure – Insufficient power from a loose connection can cause devices to malfunction.
• Short circuits – Severely damaged prongs may contact incorrectly leading to dangerous short circuits.
• Electrocution – Broken ground prongs disable this vital protective feature leading to lethal shocks.

Due to these major hazards, damaged plugs should never be inserted into outlets. Usage should be immediately discontinued and repairs made.

How to remove a broken plug

When detaching a faulty plug here are some guidelines to follow:

• Turn off power supply – Switch off electricity via circuit breakers to safely handle the damaged plug.
• Unplug carefully – Wear gloves and grip plug firmly while pulling straight out of outlet to avoid bending prongs further.
• Do not touch bare wires – Avoid contact with exposed copper wires in damaged plugs to prevent getting shocked.
• Check for sparks – Watch to make sure no sparks appear as you disconnect the plug, if so stop immediately.
• Inspect plug – Check if prongs are cracked, corroded or loose. Note any burn marks or melted areas.
• Label damaged – Use a tag or colored tape to clearly identify the defective plug for disposal or repair.
• Replace plug – Either replace just the plug head or cut damaged section off cord and install a new plug.
• Test before reusing – Ensure replacement plug is firmly attached and appliance functions normally before putting back into use.
• Discard severe damage – Plugs with considerable damage to wiring or prongs should simply be discarded and replaced entirely.

Removing damaged plugs properly reduces the risks of electrocution, sparks and further outlet damage. Examine closely for the cause prior to installing a new plug.

How to replace a broken plug

Replacing a broken plug helps get appliances and devices running safely again. Follow these steps:

1. Obtain replacement plug – Purchase a plug designed for the outlet type, voltage and amperage rating of the appliance.
2. Choose plug style – Match the prong shape and layout of the original for a compatible replacement plug.
3. Cut off old plug – Cut away any damaged sections of the cord leaving enough length to connect to new plug.
4. Strip insulation – Remove about 1⁄2 inch of outer insulation to expose inner wires using wire strippers.
5. Trim inner wires – Cut away frayed copper ends leaving 1⁄2 inch exposed wire for the terminals.
6. Connect wires securely – Match wire color codes and connect to corresponding terminal screws.
7. Wrap connections – Wrap each wired connection with electrical tape for protection from touches and moisture.
8. Attach cover – Screw on the outer plug cover securely until all wires are tucked inside.
9. Test connection – Plug into outlet and turn on device to verify proper electric flow with no hazards.
10. Consider GFCI – For added protection, connect the plug to a GFCI outlet to help prevent shocks.

Replacement is quick and easy in most cases. Ensure a tight connection and compatibility with the outlet to avoid repeated failure. Contact an electrician for complex wiring jobs.

How to repair a broken plug

Rather than fully replacing a plug, just the damaged components can be repaired in some instances:

• Straighten prongs – Carefully bend bent prongs back into proper parallel position using pliers.
• Tighten terminals – Use a screwdriver to tighten any loose side terminal screws holding wires.
• Rejoin broken wires – Strip back insulation and reconnect snapped inner wire ends by twisting tightly together.
• Insulate wires – Wrap all bare wire connections with electrical tape or heat shrink tubing.
• Fill cracks – Use strong epoxy resin to mend any cracks and chips in the plastic housing.
• Clean contacts – Use steel wool or emery cloth to polish corroded or dirty prongs.
• Replace broken parts – Swap out cracked, burned or faulty prong or terminal pieces.
• Add heat shrink – Slide over cracked areas and apply heat to create a durable seal.
• Test repair – Check that the appliance now has continuous power flow through the plug before using regularly.

Simple repairs can extend the life of damaged plugs. However extensive damage or hazardous conditions still require a full plug replacement.

When to replace vs repair a plug

Determining whether to replace or repair a broken plug depends on the extent and type of damage:

Replace plug	Repair plug
Exposed inner wiring	Loose terminal screws
Melted or burn marks	Cracked plastic housing
Short circuit damage	Corroded prongs
Charring or blistering	Wobbly prongs
Broken ground prong	Snapped internal wires
Incorrect wiring polarity	Broken/missing prong pieces
Frayed or cut wires	Powdery green corrosion

Replacing is best for severe internal wiring problems. Simple fixes can repair external housing cracks, loose parts, and surface corrosion.

Conclusion

Broken plugs are a common issue and indicate it is time to replace or repair for safety. Closely inspect the damage then discretion on whether a quick fix is suitable or if replacement is needed to prevent electrocution or fire hazards. Take immediate action anytime sparks, exposed wires or cracking occur since these risks are substantial. With the right repairs, many plugs can keep working dependably. However replacing very deteriorated plugs gives peace of mind of reliable function.