# Replacing power cord **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [April 15, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-power-cord/618864 "2012-04-15T17:19:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tavaritz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71e660/32.png) [@tavaritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavaritz)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-power-cord/618864/1 "2012-04-15T17:19:32Z")
In staff report: > **[Is poking a knife into the toaster really dangerous?](https://www.straightdope.com/21343258/is-poking-a-knife-into-the-toaster-really-dangerous)** > > A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD Q.E.D. writes: "Inspect cords periodically for damaged insulation or exposed wire and replace those in bad condition. " Do not replace power cords by yourself but let a qulified electrician do it. In most countries it is even unlawfull for a layperson to change a powercord of an appliance. Topi ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-power-cord/618864/2 "2012-04-16T00:37:42Z")
\*\*Most \*\*countries? Really? ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-power-cord/618864/3 "2012-04-16T13:39:19Z")
**even unlawful**? ``` Electrical cords on a household appliance should be replaced by an experienced and competent person but a licenced electrician is not required by law anywhere that I have heard. ``` That said, your insurance company might have this requirement in the small print on your policy. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-power-cord/618864/4 "2012-04-16T14:24:26Z")
repair shops and repair depots repair many appliance types in the USA, people should be qualified though there is no technical license needed. agree that an experienced and competent person can repair it. there may be some cultural misinterpretation involved here. electrician is often used to mean (USA) a person who works with the electrical infrastructure in a building and would have a license from the government. an electrician could repair appliances safely. replacement parts might be less generic than previous. ---
**Author:** ![Michael63129](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@Michael63129](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael63129)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-power-cord/618864/5 "2012-04-16T19:31:25Z")
> [@tavaritz](#): > > In most countries it is even unlawfull for a layperson to change a powercord of an appliance. Really? If that is true, then I have broken the law more than once (I have fixed broken cords on a hairdryer (not actually replaced, I just cut it where the wire internally broke at the strain relief and reconnected the remaining cord, which was intact and long enough), soldering iron, and and a hot-melt glue gun). Never mind whatever it might say about stuff made by hobbyists (which of course is almost certainly exempt from any such laws, since this is stuff I made for personal use with no intent to sell or anything). Probably referring more to the danger of the average layperson trying to replace a cord than it being illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2012, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-power-cord/618864/6 "2012-04-17T13:23:26Z")
I imagine if your average even electrically adept person changes out a power cord on a commercial appliance, it voids the UL certification. It almost certainly voids any warrantee from the manufacturer. But if you’re changing out the cord yourself, you’re not availing yourself of any warrantee anyway. I suppose I technically voided whatever on a hairdryer I used to own. I took it apart and put it back together a couple times. No modifications to the wiring or anything, just inspection and IIRC cleaned the screens once. ---
**Author:** ![woodrowjween](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/aca169/32.png) [@woodrowjween](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodrowjween)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-power-cord/618864/7 "2012-04-20T02:06:44Z")
So this is what we’re woried about; violating the law by replacing a bad cord? But driving 75 on the expressway, while weaving in and out and texting is okay.