For a questions such as this let me tell you about cable and electricity. I am in U.K I say this because its a world forum.
This relates to most but mainly U.K. as far as changing the plug.
First electricity takes no prisoners its a killer and I was lucky to be insulated from an electrical explosion when excavating for telephone cables and hit a 450volt cable. Had I not been insulated I would not be writing this now but fodder for the worms.
Old cable had three conductors red(live) black(Neutral) and green (Earth) and all three connected to a plug. The earth protected the user and was mainly found on metal body electric tools.
New technology insulated tools by forming the body of plastic/ no conductive material so the user could not receive a shock if the unit shorted out and a fuse added to the plug to protect the unit.
However some metal cased tools and appliances do have the 3 conductors Brown (live) Blue(Neutral) green and yellow (Earth ).
Procedure for changing a plug on appliance in U.K
Remove old plug cutting close to the plug.
strip back the outer sheathing to reveal the conductors (wires) inside. These will be Blue, Brown and MAY BE green and yellow if earth required.
you will need about 3/8" brown (shortest to plug connection) 3/4" for blue and 1" for green and yellow IF NEEDED.
Strip back on each about 1/8th sheathing to reveal the copper strands.
Open the plug (13amp) remove the cable clamp.
Wire in the Earth if required first. then the Blue to Term marked N then the brown to the terminal L the one with the fuse on it. Make sure all screws are tight. Fit the cable clamp over the cable to secure it from being pulled from the plug. If you find the conductors wires are too long remove, snip off excess re strip end/s refit.
Before closing the plug check what fuse rating is for the planer most are 13 amp (brown fuse) you can find this info in searches on the net with pictures and close ups of a plug wired up.
Bob UK, October 2013
