Best electrical tape?

[dwasifar]

I bought an eight-pack of no-name electrical tape at Menards. It is ****. Barely sticks to anything, including itself; starts coming unstuck as soon as you let it go.

Obviously I'm not going to make that mistake again, but it got me thinking I should ask you guys if you have a favored brand and where you get it.

EDIT: I suppose I should specify that the primary use here is residential wiring; wrapping receptacles and so forth.

 

[Shiftless]

I don’t know anybody who wraps receptacles in plastic tape. Is that a thing I should be doing?

 

[yatg]

wrapping receptacles and so forth.

who does that?

scotch 33

 

[The Cobbler]

electrician I use always wraps outlets & switches . it's a good practice IMO

 

[mike93lx]

3m 88.

Wrapping outlets is a great indicator an amateur was in the box. Gives you an advance heads up that you may be in for some shenanigans in there

 

[Sumboodie]

I don’t know anybody who wraps receptacles in plastic tape. Is that a thing I should be doing?

I've seen it done with metal boxes. I suppose it could prevent a short when installing or removing the receptacle.


I keep a few rolls of 3M 33+ when I need "good" tape, and I buy a sleeve or two at a time of the cheap stuff for when I don't need good tape. The 3m stuff is kind of pricey to use it all willy nilly like

 

[archtimb]

I agree with the Cobbler.
After 48 years in the residential trades, 6 of those as a leader on an electrical crew, I tape all receptacles. It shows you care about the next guy and the other trades.

 

[The Cobbler]

3m 88.

Wrapping outlets is a great indicator an amateur was in the box. Gives you an advance heads up that you may be in for some shenanigans in there

sorry, I don't get the correlation of taping , with amateur and shenanigans

 

[sparky 1971]

I use 33 almost exclusively, mostly for taping wires for pulling. When in cold weather the 88 comes out, but that isn't very often. Menards carries both, but I usually buy it at a supply house.

The only time I tape a device is when I'm installing it hot and it's going in a metal box.

 

[Lassen Forge]

3M 33 - I will pay for it when I find it if it's hard to get, because it works. If you can't get 33, then give it up...

 

[4xdog]

Definitely 3M Super 33+ (the latest incarnation of this long-running product line). Not a single thing to complain about -- I even think the price is fair for its function.

Here's the 3M electrical tape selection guide, FYI.

 

[Duke74]

We wrap switches and receptacles if the devices are installed and have to be left hanging out for some reason Sometimes in construction, lights and receptacles are energized, so workers have light and places to plug their power tools into. That’s the only time really. I guess if the side of the metal box Is bowed in a bit, also.

 

[dwasifar]

who does that?

scotch 33

I have metal boxes and conduit. I don't always wrap, but if the box is crowded I will.

Plus which, that was just a for-instance. It's not the only thing one might need tape for.

 

[dwasifar]

Wrapping outlets is a great indicator an amateur was in the box. Gives you an advance heads up that you may be in for some shenanigans in there

I agree with the Cobbler.
After 48 years in the residential trades, 6 of those as a leader on an electrical crew, I tape all receptacles. It shows you care about the next guy and the other trades.

@archtimb, after all that time and experience, I'll bet you're surprised to find out here that you're still an amateur.

 

[egdede]

The only time I tape a device is when I'm installing it hot and it's going in a metal box.

Often, I bet, after pulling it out live un-taped.

 

[dchawk81]

I bought a 10 roll pack of Cambridge Vinyl that's sticky as all get out.

 

[mcbane]

We wrap switches and receptacles if the devices are installed and have to be left hanging out for some reason Sometimes in construction, lights and receptacles are energized, so workers have light and places to plug their power tools into. That’s the only time really. I guess if the side of the metal box Is bowed in a bit, also.

Does OSHA ever visit these sites? Sometimes they get irate when energized parts are hanging out and tape would be unlikely to appease them.

 

[dchawk81]

Does OSHA ever visit these sites? Sometimes they get irate when energized parts are hanging out and tape would be unlikely to appease them.

OSHA is for safety in the workplace. You might be looking for code enforcement.

 

[Retroman]

OSHA is for safety in the workplace. You might be looking for code enforcement.

Not a big fan of OSHA un-elected bureaucrats making it up as they go along.

 

[Feralghoul88]

Does OSHA ever visit these sites? Sometimes they get irate when energized parts are hanging out and tape would be unlikely to appease them.

This is why I leave my stuff untaped....just in case OSHA shows up hopefully they will take themselves out.

 

[CJM8515]

at least 33, i prefer 88 though.

i made the mistake of buying a 10 roll pack of harbor freight tape once...i think i finally threw what was left out like 5 years ago

 

[alfredeneuman]

Not a big fan of OSHA un-elected bureaucrats making it up as they go along.

Their rules are clearly posted for all to see. (The officials that make up the Code Making Panels are unelected as well.)

 

[FrancisJ]

Tape = amateurs and a future problem (all but guaranteed)

 

[Wiz02]

Tape = amateurs and a future problem (all but guaranteed)

On the rare occasions where you have an unused wire in a box, how do you terminate it? I wire nut it and wrap it with tape (3M 33). Admittedly this is not a common occurrence and while a do a fair amount of resi work for a non pro, I have to admit that my tape probably dates back to the Reagan administration.

 

[mike93lx]

sorry, I don't get the correlation of taping , with amateur and shenanigans

Amateurs do all kinds of stuff that is unnecessary thinking it might be beneficial . This is just a nice way to know you might have other wierd stuff ahead of you

 

[Duke74]

Does OSHA ever visit these sites? Sometimes they get irate when energized parts are hanging out and tape would be unlikely to appease them.

In Canada we have OHS. They don’t come around too much, unless someone calls them, or there has already been an incident. Sometimes some devices have to be energized. It’s just a fact of the construction business. If you are working in a multi floor building. Workers don’t want to run long cords to the temporary panels on the lower level. Plus, cords running down stair wells are a bad tripping hazard.

 

[mcbane]

OSHA is for safety in the workplace. You might be looking for code enforcement.

Code specifies aspects of the finished product. At least in my experience, osha is looking at hazards that may be present in the workplace. Even a damaged extension cord that is patched with electrical tape can earn you a citation.

 

[FrancisJ]

On the rare occasions where you have an unused wire in a box, how do you terminate it? I wire nut it and wrap it with tape (3M 33). Admittedly this is not a common occurrence and while a do a fair amount of resi work for a non pro, I have to admit that my tape probably dates back to the Reagan administration.

I never use black electrician's tape -- frankly :

(1) It has NO insulation rating in V, kV, so how can anyone / anywhere say it's an "insulation" for a given voltage? Nonsense.

(2) It has a relatively low melting point ( 140 F) and we all know where heat builds up --- near electrical things.

(3) Thin -- vulnerable to mechanical damage.

(4) How many "layers" of electrical tape does the NEC call out? (They don't)

Only amateurs, maybe even journeymen use it --- the "glue" gets sticky, moves, drips/runs, then loses adhesion, peels off -- guaranteed failure over time.

 

[unslow1]

Myself and all the other guys in our class were taught to wrap the switches and outlets. The only two guys I ever worked for also insisted they be wrapped.

 

[nadogail]

Scotch 33 or 33+ is the GOLD Standard.

 

[JunkBonds]

My father was IBEW and did his apprenticeship in 1950. He always wrapped plugs and switches. So, I also do that now.

 

[unslow1]

On the rare occasions where you have an unused wire in a box, how do you terminate it? I wire nut it and wrap it with tape (3M 33). Admittedly this is not a common occurrence and while a do a fair amount of resi work for a non pro, I have to admit that my tape probably dates back to the Reagan administration.

That's how we were taught and it was the Bush Sr. administration.

 

[Max]

I never use black electrician's tape -- frankly :

(1) It has NO insulation rating in V, kV, so how can anyone / anywhere say it's an "insulation" for a given voltage? Nonsense.

Scotch 33+ is 1150 V/mil thickness.

(2) It has a relatively low melting point ( 140 F) and we all know where heat builds up --- near electrical things.

Scotch 33+ is 221 deg F operating max.

(3) Thin -- vulnerable to mechanical damage.

So is wire insulation. What is your point?

(4) How many "layers" of electrical tape does the NEC call out? (They don't)

Only amateurs, maybe even journeymen use it --- the "glue" gets sticky, moves, drips/runs, then loses adhesion, peels off -- guaranteed failure over time.

I’m not a huge user of electrical tape except when I’m pulling cable. But your facts are off.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00034650/

Hmm. I also use Scotch 2228 or the like outdoors a lot - like for cat 6 connections to IP cameras. But that is for weatherproofing and not any kind of protection from voltage.

 

[unslow1]

I just Googled it to check for a discussion. It seems this has been an ongoing argument for a long time. Many were taught that way in school. Many think it's a waste and potential problem. Some are required to do it on job sites and some aren't. Who knows maybe it was a regional thing. Maybe it's a leftover from when the boxes were all metal. It's obviously not going to get settled here. I checked with a friend of mine that works for the city and he says they do it. I know the township I worked for required it.

 

[yatg]

A long long time ago I do remember seeing the "electrician of the month" on TOH advocating wrapping receptacles with tape. Could be a regional thing, or something that's passed down over time. In the several houses I've owned, never seen a tape wrapped device.

Pretty easy to make sure that the wires are neatly folded in the back and the screws don't make contact with the sides.

For an unterminated wire, I'll take a smaller wire nut, like an Ideal blue, and screw it on the unstripped wire. No tape.

 

[billconner]

Their rules are clearly posted for all to see. (The officials that make up the Code Making Panels are unelected as well.)

There is a huge difference between how the bureaucrats that write OSHS regs and how the volunteers who write the NEC are appointed, not to mention how transparent and open to public input the NEC is compared to OSHA regs. While they may be clearly published, they are not at all clear. And try to get some help on OSHA compared to NEC.

 

[Buckgnarly]

What's the negatives of wrapping, specifically what damage can it do?

 

[JunkBonds]

This advertising poster was done about 1970.

 

[archtimb]

@archtimb, after all that time and experience, I'll bet you're surprised to find out here that you're still an amateur.

Yeah. That stings a little. Maybe after another 20 years...

It is so much fun needing to pull receptacles or switches with attached grounds where some idiot not only did not tape, but also left unused screws sticking out. That's the real mark of an amateur, or maybe they just don't give a ****. Never sacrifice production for safety!

I was taught to wrap by a second generation electrician. Do it right, do it clean and leave it better than you found it. Many years of experience in renovations too. Devices are left unfastened or loose until the end. Otherwise painters and plasterers cover them, or make them part of the finished wall. Workers still need power and light. I have seen the results of exposed devices. Do what you like. I will continue to wrap. I can wrap a device in less than 10 seconds. Pride in my work is more important than skipping such a small detail.

What about the next guy that needs in that box? You know, the one that you overstuffed with conductors, did not lay the wires neatly into place, where you didn't leave enough wire to pull the device clear of the box and backstabbed using the cheapest devices from some home center? It might be you.

 

[RPH]

Specifications are available if you look.

I never use black electrician's tape -- frankly :

(1) It has NO insulation rating in V, kV, so how can anyone / anywhere say it's an "insulation" for a given voltage? Nonsense.

(2) It has a relatively low melting point ( 140 F) and we all know where heat builds up --- near electrical things.

(3) Thin -- vulnerable to mechanical damage.

(4) How many "layers" of electrical tape does the NEC call out? (They don't)

Only amateurs, maybe even journeymen use it --- the "glue" gets sticky, moves, drips/runs, then loses adhesion, peels off -- guaranteed failure over time.