The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

First Aid For The Ailing Houses

When electrical cords are frayed, they should be repaired promptly lest the insulation underneath become broken and a short circuit result. Most of the time, cords fray at the end where the plugs fit into the wall outlet or where the cord enters the lamp or appliance. (Right here, it should be urged that one should never unplug an extension cord from the outlet by pulling the cord; the plug itself should be grasped.)

Provided the insulation covering the wire is not broken or cracked, the simplest way to protect a frayed area is to wrap it securely with friction tape or plastic tape. While effective as a temporary measure, this certainly isn't handsome . . . especially if a cord has several such patches. A coat of shellac will also serve.

It is much better to cut out the frayed end entirely and replace the plug, provided, of course, that this will not shorten the cord too much. In this case, the whole cord should be replaced.

To replace the cord in a conventional plug, simply strip the insulation about an inch from the end of the cord, and twist the two newly exposed wires around the terminal screws in the plug in the same manner the old ends were fastened. (You can note this when you remove them from the plug.)
There are several exceedingly handy plugs available which require no stripping of the insulation whatsoever. These plugs are equipped with sharp prongs which, when closed on the cord, bite right through the covering and insulation and make a firm connection with the wires. The plugs are simplicity itself, and cutting off a frayed end of cord and putting on a new plug is literally a matter of seconds.

Repairing Heating Clements The coils of wire comprising the heating elements of toasters, hot plates, etc., are usually made of a combination of nickel and chrome wire. If the wire breaks, it can be repaired quite simply, if the element itself can be removed.

The repair is made by looping the two ends of wire together and then covering the joint with a dab of nichrocite paste (available in electrical and hardware stores). This paste is made to fuse with the nickel and chrome wire. The current is turned on, and the heat will melt the paste, thus soldering the joint.

APPLIANCES

Appliance Care Electric irons should be polished occasionally with waxed paper. Heat the iron on low, then slide it over the paper once or twice. This will melt a bit of the wax onto the base plate of the iron and make it easier to glide over the clothes. If stains occur on the bottom, they may be polished off with silver polish. Do not use harsh abrasives on iron base plates; once scratched, they are harder to slide.