How to Repair a Vacuum Cleaner Cord
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I have a vacuum cleaner, the plug was acting up, it started to smoke and melted into the socket. Can this be fixed? © By: Dave Rongey |
Repair a Vacuum Cleaner Cord
Electrical Question: I have a vacuum cleaner, the plug was acting up, it started to smoke and melted into the socket. Can this be fixed?
Rick in Pennsylvania asks:
- I have a Kirby vacuum cleaner, the plug was acting up, only supplying electric to the vacuum when it was in a hand held, bent position.
- I used it the other day and the one metal part of the plug that goes into the receptacle started to smoke and melted into the socket.
- I cut off the end, of course after I unplugged it, I cut off the end about 4 inches from the plug and was going to just attach an new plug, do you think that would be safe or should I trash the machine.
- It’s a 2004 Kirby and it doesn’t have two different size ends, you can plug it in either way.
Thank you for your time.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Rick.
Repair a Damaged Cord on a Vacuum Cleaner
Application: Repair a Vacuum Cleaner Cord.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the Outlet, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the Outlet should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
How to Repair a Damaged Cord for a Vacuum Cleaner
A Damaged Vacuum Cleaner Cord
- Rick, from the information you have provided, No – don’t trash the vacuum cleaner, the cord can be repaired!
Why a Vacuum Cleaner Cord Goes Bad
- This is a very common problem that affects so many electrical devices, such as:
- kitchen appliances
- crock pot cord
- blow dryer cord
- drill cord
- saw cord
- computer power supply cord
- headphone cord
- Basically, anything that has a wire attached and the wire is moved around a lot, or the wire is bent at a sharp angle, the cord can get damaged and eventually the device will stop working.
- Commonly one of the wires breaks inside the cord insulation where the cord is bent or flexed back an forth a lot where it is plugged into the wall, or attached to the device. The repair job is relatively simple, as you have discovered.
Repairing the Vacuum Cleaner Cord
- It just sounds like a wire broke inside the insulation.
- Unplug the device.
- Cut out the bad section of cord wire.
- Rewire the plug or cord section.
- You have just fixed the problem. (atta-boy – way to go!).
So Rick, (and everyone else) – Keep the equipment or appliance (In this case, Rick’s Kirby!
NOTE: Yes – if the old unit is really old (and fried), then you may want to upgrade to a new model!
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