Changing and wiring a plug may seem like one of the easiest tasks in the world, but you'd be surprised how many people get it wrong. And getting it wrong can cause a serious risk of fire of electric shock. Follow this how to guide when you're wiring your plug, but if you have any doubts whatsoever, consult a qualified electrician.

Your electrical appliance has broken down, and you've identified that the plug is at fault. To do the job you'll need a new plug fitted with a fuse, screwdrivers and a good knife with a wire cutter attachment if possible.

Carefully remove the old plug, making a note of the fuse rating inside. You may have lost the instructions to your appliance, so this could be the only reference that you have. Strip off the outer cable cover to expose 4cm of the insulated wire. When preparing the individual wires to go inside the plug, the yellow and green earth should be the longest, followed by the blue neutral wire, with the brown live wire being the shortest. Remove the insulation to leave about 1 centimetre of exposed metal core on each wire. Make sure you don't cut any of the strands of wire when you remove the insulation. Twist the strands of wire togther neatly.

Connect your wires to the correct terminals - the brown live wire to the terminal on the fuse holder marked L, the blue neutral wire to the terminal marked N and the green and yellow earth wire to the terminal at the top of the plug marked E. Some appliances do not have an earth wire because they are double insulated, but if you have one, you must fit it.

The design of plugs can very, but fit the exposed metal core of each wire through or around each terminal, tightening the terminal screws with a screwdriver. Ensure there is no exposed loose strands of wire, and that the insulation reaches right up to each terminal.

Modern plugs can have cord grips, but some have a bar to hold the flex, secured by two screws. Push the flex firmly in to the cord grip, making sure that the grip fastens on the outer insulation and not the insulation wires.

Check your instructions on the appliance to see what rating of fuse is required, and fit the correct one.

Screw the plug cover back on, making sure that none of the outer insulation is cracked or chipped.

Time for one more look - there are many wrong ways to wire a plug, but only one right way.