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TAPE EVERYWHERE!

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Chuckster in NJ

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I was at a job last week at a local resturant that lost power to an island food prep area. It took me about an hour of troubleshooting to discover a broken wire.
My big complaint was that EVERYTHING had 25 year old CHEAP black electrical tape on it…….. Taped wire nuts, devices along with wires taped together. What a effin sticky mess to deal with let alone working a nasty grease laden area. Whenever I see taped wire nuts it just screams: "A rookie was here so be prepared for problems."
I have never used tape on devices or wire nuts and I don’t understand why people do this especially on exterior splices where it can trap moisture.…… Tape is OK in certain situations but NOT on everything.
END OF RANT and now I feel better! :soapbox:
 
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PCustoms

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Hmmmm....

WAGO Retainers

I just started using WAGO connectors. They seem to be perfect for making connections between stranded and solid wire. I’m mildly concerned about the lever catching something when all the wire is getting put into the box and possibly opening the lever. So, I put a wrap of tape around the...
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M

mm08822

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And the black slime gets all over your fingers and then everything you touch afterwards unless you have a good cleaner available.

Taped recepts in plastic boxes is another stupid thing.

Only time I have every taped anything was a gfci recept in a metal box held in with dog ears.
 
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C

Chuckster in NJ

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PCustoms said:
Hmmmm....

WAGO Retainers

I just started using WAGO connectors. They seem to be perfect for making connections between stranded and solid wire. I’m mildly concerned about the lever catching something when all the wire is getting put into the box and possibly opening the lever. So, I put a wrap of tape around the...
www.garagejournal.com www.garagejournal.com
Click to expand...
The idiots would probably tape these too! :soapbox:
 
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sparky 1971

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Tape is mainly for three things: the occasional device being installed in a single gang metal cut in box supported by F clamps though that's usually limited to GFCI receptacles, taping the head when pulling wire, and keeping a bandage on finger cuts. There are exceptions, but wire nuts isn't one of them.
 
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C

Chuckster in NJ

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When I worked in a oil refinery we had a lot of 460 and 2300 volt pump motors so when I would wire up a motor I always used varnished cambric tape as a "first layer" so the next time the motor had to be pulled out it was easy to "just cut the tape" without a messy sticky mess on bugs or lugs that sat in high heat motor pecker heads. Some of the lazy guys would just use tape without the varnish cambric and it was a total gummy mess that took triple the time to clean up the wires, bugs or lugs with tetrachloroethylene (now classified a carcinogen) and wire brushes.…….. Some of these wires to motors were up to 500 mcm.
 
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Bert_

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Chuckster in NJ said:
When I worked in a oil refinery we had a lot of 460 and 2300 volt pump motors so when I would wire up a motor I always used varnished cambric tape as a "first layer" so the next time the motor had to be pulled out it was easy to "just cut the tape" without a messy sticky mess on bugs or lugs that sat in high heat motor pecker heads. Some of the lazy guys would just use tape without the varnish cambric and it was a total gummy mess that took triple the time to clean up the wires, bugs or lugs with tetrachloroethylene (now classified a carcinogen) and wire brushes.…….. Some of these wires to motors were up to 500 mcm.
Click to expand...
I wire 460v often and never tape wire nuts. Motors and a different story. Some guys like the Polaris connectors but I still like split bolts much over #10 wire. Obviously going to have to tape them.

I've never done 2300v but I'm guessing you aren't using a wire nut :)
 
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C

Chuckster in NJ

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Bert_ said:
I wire 460v often and never tape wire nuts. Motors and a different story. I still like split bolts much over #10 wire. Obviously going to have to tape them.

I've never done 2300v but I'm guessing you aren't using a wire nut :)
Click to expand...
Split bolt "Bugs" were the norm on all motors.…….. We never used wire nuts on any motor.
On 2300 volt motors I used varnished cambric, rubber #23 and final wraps of 33+ vinyl tape………. Bend the wires into the pecker head and make sure they fit nice and neat then install the cover.

I also worked on 4160 motors too.…… These motors used lugs (no tape) after the stress cones.
Working in a refinery with class 1 division 1 explosion proof areas was very interesting including the TWO incoming utility 26.4 feeds transformed to 13.8 to 4160 to 2300 down to 480 volts.
 
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PCustoms

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WillyBoy said:
Vertically, just like clocking the screws on receptacle covers. So they don't collect saw dust, which would be a major problem if they're horizontal.
Click to expand...

If an outlet is horizontal, do you still align vertical?
 
M

mm08822

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WillyBoy said:
Vertically, just like clocking the screws on receptacle covers. So they don't collect saw dust, which would be a major problem if they're horizontal.
Click to expand...
Maybe try weatherproof covers in your shop instead of needing a level to set screw position.
 
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C

Chuckster in NJ

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PCustoms said:
Can I just squirt loctite in the nut as I tighten it? NO! Apply loctite on the wires and let it "set up" for 10 minutes before installing the wire nut.

What is the proper torque for the nut? Ask the GJ experts.

If I'm using the wing style, how do I align the wings? Wings should point east to west to prevent north/south magnetic lines of flux creating a skin effect on the conductors.
Click to expand...
 
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wyliesdiesels

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Modesto, CA
sparky 1971 said:
Tape is mainly for three things: the occasional device being installed in a single gang metal cut in box supported by F clamps though that's usually limited to GFCI receptacles, taping the head when pulling wire, and keeping a bandage on finger cuts. There are exceptions, but wire nuts isn't one of them.
Click to expand...

bingo
 
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rjn2649

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Il, A little west of Chicago
Funny, I just did a little favour for a friends mom. She a had a bathroom remodel done and the contractor couldn't come back, So I got tasked with a punch list. And yes, all the wire nuts taped. Tape around all the switches, Tape around all the devices. It was old work they didn't get to it. yes a sticky mess.

My biggest use of tape has been to attach the wire to the fish tape/stick, and scraped knuckles and cut fingers.
 
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dscheidt

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rjn2649 said:
Funny, I just did a little favour for a friends mom. She a had a bathroom remodel done and the contractor couldn't come back, So I got tasked with a punch list. And yes, all the wire nuts taped. Tape around all the switches, Tape around all the devices. It was old work they didn't get to it. yes a sticky mess.

My biggest use of tape has been to attach the wire to the fish tape/stick, and scraped knuckles and cut fingers.
Click to expand...
I'd be surprised to pull a device in Chicagoland and not find it taped.
 
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JohnX14

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Jun 2, 2014
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550
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Boston 'burbs
Funny thread.

I'll add that for residential new construction, we usually power up 2 receptacles for job-site power. Usually refrigerator which we put on an individuial 20 amp circuit (I know that isn't required) and the Laundry if it is on the 2nd floor, otherwise it's the bathroom home run. Either way, the point is we tape up whatever we put in, as we cut off the ears, and don't instqall a plate, so that the temp receptacles can be removed after board and plaster.

Aside from this, and the tape used in lieu of bandaids, the only true use is for service upgrades, where the poco here allows us to do the permanent connections. (They provide the connectors if you are enrolled.) We can use the cheap plastic "pocket book" covers, or tape them I'll choose tape.
 
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