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Original poster

Fix a broken plug

19 replies

BodegaSushi · 24/07/2023 14:15

Please can anyone help me, I'm so upset in on holiday in the UK and am sleeping on a newly purchased blow up bed. It wasn't cheap.

It's one of those that has a plug attached and you just plug it in and it fills up.

I've just tripped on it and have broken 2 of the prongs of the plug, they have broken clean off.

Please is there any place anyone knows of that can repair it? I've just bought the bloody mattress and it was too expensive to replace.

Im so upset with myself right now 😢

OP posts:
Thisisnowmyusername · 24/07/2023 14:19

If it is just a standard three pin electrical plug, you can just buy a new plug and change it. You will need a screwdriver. I'm sure there will be plenty of videos on You Tube that explain how to change a plug.

Destiny123 · 24/07/2023 14:23

If its a standard plug just chop the plug off an old kettle or something and youtube change it...we were taught how to in school science lessons it's not hard

Original poster
BodegaSushi · 24/07/2023 14:27

Ok I will have a look, I didn't have those lessons at school, we had sewing!

OP posts:

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Home improvement
RecycleMePlease · 24/07/2023 14:29

We learned at Brownies! If you go into a hardware store you can get a new plug - I'd get some wire strippers too just to make it easier.

RecycleMePlease · 24/07/2023 14:30

You can't 'chop one off a kettle' - those are moulded plugs (well, I suppose you could, but I wouldn't be splicing cables myself - especially since kettles are higher wattage than an airbed). You need one that's not moulded that you can screw the wires into and screw back together.

AnSolas · 24/07/2023 14:35

Buy a new plug in a proper electrical suppler.
If needs be bring the materess with old plug attached and a sharp blade.
The new plug should have a little paper instruction popped over the pins.
But you (as a woman) may find the counter staff offer to supervise.

Walkden · 24/07/2023 14:37

As previous posters stated, replacement plugs are available and plenty of guides online of how to do it.

It might be more complicated if it has a moulded plug. This will have a plastic to to hold the fuse whereas replaceable plugs have a screw in the middle between the prongs.

It can still be done but will need wire stripping etc.

Cupcakequeen75 · 24/07/2023 14:54

Off topic but what the hell!

Do you remember when appliances didn't come with the plug already fitted (pre-1992).
At Christmas It was a bit like the modern thing of making sure you have enough batteries in the house. You unboxed your TV computer game, keyboard, Scalextric etc and your poor old dad was rummaging around in the garage to find an old plug that he had cut off some old appliance before throwing it away. 😆
That said, fitting a plug (correctly) was something we were taught to do at Guides (can't remember the badge).

HakunaMatiÅ‚da · 24/07/2023 14:55

What type of air mattress and plug is it? Can you post a picture?

Original poster
BodegaSushi · 24/07/2023 15:42

Walkden · 24/07/2023 14:37

As previous posters stated, replacement plugs are available and plenty of guides online of how to do it.

It might be more complicated if it has a moulded plug. This will have a plastic to to hold the fuse whereas replaceable plugs have a screw in the middle between the prongs.

It can still be done but will need wire stripping etc.

Oh dear I might have a moulded plug...is this one?

Fix a broken plug
OP posts:
billyt · 24/07/2023 15:47

yes, that's a moulded plug top.

You need one you can unscrew the cover and connect your cable into. If you're not sure please ask someone to help. You need to cut that one as close to the plug top as you can, strip back the outer sheath, cut the cores to length, strip back the ends and connect to the terminals, etc.

But again, if not confident don't try. You'll probably make a mess.

billyt · 24/07/2023 15:48

Do you have a Screwfix or B&Q nearby? 89p

Original poster
BodegaSushi · 24/07/2023 15:48

billyt · 24/07/2023 15:47

yes, that's a moulded plug top.

You need one you can unscrew the cover and connect your cable into. If you're not sure please ask someone to help. You need to cut that one as close to the plug top as you can, strip back the outer sheath, cut the cores to length, strip back the ends and connect to the terminals, etc.

But again, if not confident don't try. You'll probably make a mess.

Yes I'll show the picture to someone in a DIY shop. Thank you

OP posts:
RoseBucket · 24/07/2023 15:50

You can still cut it off, use pliers to strip the plastic down and then re attach to a new plug.

Original poster
BodegaSushi · 24/07/2023 17:24

Thanks for the advice. I really don't feel equipped to do it myself, not with wires etc. wish there was just a place I could take it to and pay to get it done 🫤

OP posts:
DinnaeFashYersel · 24/07/2023 17:43

I have a plug air bed too but it can also be inflated with a pump. Is that possible with yours.

AnSolas · 24/07/2023 17:47

BodegaSushi · 24/07/2023 17:24

Thanks for the advice. I really don't feel equipped to do it myself, not with wires etc. wish there was just a place I could take it to and pay to get it done 🫤

Turn up at your local electical supplier at opening time. There will be a large number of professional electricians picking up supplies in branded vans.🤷

Helenahandkart · 24/07/2023 17:57

It is REALLY easy to change a plug, you just need a screwdriver and a knife/scissors. It doesn’t matter that it’s a moulded plug. Cut through the cable next to the broken plug, buy a new one from a hardware shop, there are instructions on the new plug or (no doubt) a million how-to guides on YouTube. All you need to do is cut away a bit of the cable insulation and attach 2 or 3 wires. Honestly, just watch a YouTube clip. It’s easypeasy.

rainbowunicorn · 24/07/2023 18:04

BodegaSushi · 24/07/2023 17:24

Thanks for the advice. I really don't feel equipped to do it myself, not with wires etc. wish there was just a place I could take it to and pay to get it done 🫤

It is very simple, takes 5 mins at most. Both my kids could change a plug by the time they were 12. Just Google it and you will get a thousand step by step videos.

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