Can you put on a mains plug?

Feek · 27-04-2009, 23:19

I had reason tonight to fit a couple of mains plugs and it got me thinking that it's something that people simply don't have to do these days. Everything comes with a moulded plug now and so there's just not the need to cut off [for example] European plugs and fit a standard 13 amp plug instead.

It used to be taught in school - I remember the science lesson where we were shown how to fit them and then everyone had a go but that's just not done any more. My kids don't know and that's something I shall teach them.

Incidentally, the method I taught myself (pre the school lesson I mentioned) was by remembering Brown starts with BR which stands for Brown Right and Blue starts with BL which stands for Blue Left. I still thought that to myself today when I put those two plugs on.

So, be honest. Can you put on a mains plug?

Mark · 27-04-2009, 23:31

Yes, and I have. Wired up light switches too. Given my eyesight I have to be very careful (usually break out a magnifier to check for stray wires). Not done one in ages though for the reasons stated.

I have far more trouble stripping wires. I asked a friend to do my last plug wiring job because I couldn't safely strip the wires in the flex (my tools are intended for speaker wire and the like, not flex).

Ben M · 27-04-2009, 23:32

I was shown at school. It's not part of the national curriculum so I doubt that it is taught at most schools.

divine · 27-04-2009, 23:33

Yes, though I took electronics to A2, so i'd be ashamed if I couldn't

Mark · 27-04-2009, 23:33

I only took it to GCSE, and I'd still be ashamed if I couldn't.

Psymonkee · 27-04-2009, 23:50

Was part of the curriculum when I was somewhere in 1st - 3rd year (94 - 97)

Took me 2 lessons to get it (ham fisted

) but I'm sure I could do it much quicker now

Chuckles · 28-04-2009, 00:34

Yeah. I've wired in a cooker and some light switches as well. Nothing to it!

iCraig · 28-04-2009, 00:38

Yes my Dad taught me how but I must admit I've never had to actually put the knowledge into practical use.

Zico · 28-04-2009, 00:42

Yes but none in recent years.

Haly · 28-04-2009, 00:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by iCraig

Yes my Dad taught me how but I must admit I've never had to actually put the knowledge into practical use.

What he said

I suspect I'd be crap now though as it was years ago!

View Poll Results: Can you put on a mains plug?
Yes	44	95.65%
No	2	4.35%
Voters: 46. You may not vote on this poll

27-04-2009, 23:19	#1
Feek ex SAS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: JO01ou Posts: 10,062	Can you put on a mains plug? I had reason tonight to fit a couple of mains plugs and it got me thinking that it's something that people simply don't have to do these days. Everything comes with a moulded plug now and so there's just not the need to cut off [for example] European plugs and fit a standard 13 amp plug instead. It used to be taught in school - I remember the science lesson where we were shown how to fit them and then everyone had a go but that's just not done any more. My kids don't know and that's something I shall teach them. Incidentally, the method I taught myself (pre the school lesson I mentioned) was by remembering Brown starts with BR which stands for Brown Right and Blue starts with BL which stands for Blue Left. I still thought that to myself today when I put those two plugs on. So, be honest. Can you put on a mains plug? __________________

27-04-2009, 23:32	#3
Ben M Columbian Coffee Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chester/ Bristol uni Posts: 66	I was shown at school. It's not part of the national curriculum so I doubt that it is taught at most schools. __________________ Click to see details of my upcoming cycle tour =]

27-04-2009, 23:33	#4
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	Yes, though I took electronics to A2, so i'd be ashamed if I couldn't __________________

27-04-2009, 23:50	#6
Psymonkee A cat wearing a wet suit Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St.Andrews Posts: 2,023	Was part of the curriculum when I was somewhere in 1st - 3rd year (94 - 97) Took me 2 lessons to get it (ham fisted ) but I'm sure I could do it much quicker now __________________ Sonisphere FMC Code: 1k949178

27-04-2009, 23:31	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Yes, and I have. Wired up light switches too. Given my eyesight I have to be very careful (usually break out a magnifier to check for stray wires). Not done one in ages though for the reasons stated. I have far more trouble stripping wires. I asked a friend to do my last plug wiring job because I couldn't safely strip the wires in the flex (my tools are intended for speaker wire and the like, not flex).

28-04-2009, 00:34	#7
Chuckles '09 sexual conquests: 4.5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,075	Yeah. I've wired in a cooker and some light switches as well. Nothing to it! __________________

28-04-2009, 00:38	#8
iCraig iCustom User Title Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,250	Yes my Dad taught me how but I must admit I've never had to actually put the knowledge into practical use. __________________

28-04-2009, 00:42	#9
Zico Shacked up with the Archbishop Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canterbury Posts: 378	Yes but none in recent years. __________________ 360 Blog - My Flickr - TopCashBack Link