Insulating tape is a material that is constantly consumed when installing wires and cables to ensure safety. The products are widely used in electrical engineering and everyday life, as well as for many household needs, sometimes not for their intended purpose.
Heat-resistant electrical tape, in addition to its elasticity, good adhesion, resistance to water and chemicals, demonstrates the ability to safely withstand high and low temperatures. The sum of useful qualities has ensured that the products are in constant demand among professionals and ordinary people who like to do something with their own hands.
What is electrical tape
The abbreviated name of the material “insulating tape” is derived from the full name “insulating tape”. The main purpose is to isolate problematic areas.
Externally, it is a plain blue or black tape with one or two adhesive sides. However, other color variations are acceptable on the market today. Electrical tape can be used in domestic or industrial applications.
Technical data
The material is quite strong and differs in different characteristics: type, grade and manufacturing features. Let's look at the standard data:
- Temperature restrictions: - 30 and + 60 degrees.
- Stretch up to 150 percent.
- Permissible voltage - up to 5000 V.
- Permissible load - 14.7 MPa.
Thanks to the above advantages, it has great prospects. Easily withstands temperature changes, high levels of humidity and electrical load.
Other benefits
Electrical tape is a worthy choice for the following reasons:
- Sticks well;
- Current resistant;
- Tolerates any temperature;
- No toxic substances;
- Durable and elastic;
- Moisture resistant;
- Does not ignite;
- Affordable price.
The technical features of the insulation tape have made this product popular enough for use by beginners or professionals.
However, many people wonder: is it possible to use regular adhesive tape instead of insulating tape? At first glance, this saves money and time. But common wisdom confirms that such material is not suitable for electrical wiring.
Characteristics
If for some reason the temperature at the place where the cotton tape is applied exceeds 100 degrees, the fabric will begin to fade and melt. But due to the fact that the protective fabric is wound in several layers, they all coke, merging into a single whole. Moreover, even if the contacts burn or in places where there is knocking, twisting of wires and the release of a significant amount of thermal energy, the fabric will not catch fire. Compliance with fire protection standards and regulations will be ensured.
Also, fabric insulating material can be used at subzero temperatures. In such conditions, the PVC film curls, tans and loses its properties. But cotton tape, due to the presence of a fabric layer at the base, does not have such disadvantages.
This material has one minor drawback - the tendency for threads to peel off along the edges of the fabric. Also, the appearance of the finished twist cannot be called aesthetic. But if insulating material is used outdoors, in places where strength, reliability and durability come first, cotton fabric is out of competition.
This material can also be used to temporarily eliminate small water leaks from cold water supply or sewerage systems. Home craftsmen often use electrical tape to temporarily fasten broken wooden parts (table or chair legs, shelves, etc.).
Insulating tape made from cotton fabric is an affordable and effective material to use.
Manufacturing process
Production takes place in accordance with GOST standards. A wide range of materials are used in pure or combined form: polyvinyl chloride or cotton raw materials. These are common materials widely used in various fields of work.
Natural materials, woven materials that provide electrical conductivity, deserve special attention. There are a wide variety of electrical tapes on the market with their own pros and cons.
Type and use of electrical tape
The product is divided into several types, differing in grade and materials used. The product is based on various fabrics and polyvinyl chloride. The first material produces durable and heat-resistant products.
There are cotton products that are not considered insulating. Their area of application is towing. Next, we will consider the popular materials from which electrical tapes are made.
PVC
Well-known and in demand material. The product has a smooth surface; the manufacturer uses blue or red color. We are talking about the same electrical tape that was used back in the last century.
Has the following characteristics:
- Width - from 14 to 20 mm;
- Voltage withstand up to 5000 V;
- Temperature withstand - from - 30 to + 50 degrees;
- Possibility of extension up to 150%.
This is a universal, high-strength material with an operating voltage of 0.4 kV.
The material is less durable and weather-resistant, but is used for simple installation. Often used with the previous above product to improve reliability.
cotton fabric
- Voltage withstand up to 1000 V;
- Operating temperature from - 30 to + 30 degrees, storage from 0 to 24 degrees;
- Low elasticity.
This type of product is more often used in the household sector than in the industrial sector. Often used at high temperatures, which causes the electrical tape to ignite and harden.
This provides a protective coating. Due to its electrical conductivity and the above-mentioned characteristics, CB tape is widely in demand in the market.
From lavsan
Not the most common choice, but the material has acceptable strength indicators and reacts normally to weather changes; it is used at moderate temperatures.
Adapts well to metal surfaces and is quite resistant to mechanical damage. Can be used additionally with PVC electrical tape.
Silicone, fiberglass
A product made from such materials is quite reliable due to its high strength. Used for household electrical appliances and other powerful equipment (withstands up to 300 degrees).
Melting temperature
Tape storage temperature is from +5 to +40 degrees Celsius. It can also be used with higher parameters. Of course, you won’t be able to wind it in the cold - it will simply “stuff.” As the manufacturers assure, the maximum heating temperature should not exceed +80 degrees. Melting occurs only with an open flame. If we talk about high-quality tape, it can withstand heat up to +150 degrees, although the properties are lost.
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Based on the official characteristics, the maximum resistance of the tapes is maintained when heated to +105 degrees. If the joint of the wires is of poor quality or the load is greater than normal, the tape will begin to melt.
Electrical specialists put forward their recommendations: to make the twisting as high quality as possible, first glue the fabric insulation, and only then PVC. The first does not melt when heated, and the second protects from moisture.
This is what “burnt” insulation looks like
Electrical tape is a practical consumable used to protect connections. The main thing is to choose it correctly, based on specific working conditions. Knowing what PVC electrical tape is made of, it is easier to decide on this issue. However, no one forbids using several types of tapes at once to achieve the desired result, each with its own properties.
Where applicable
The material is widely used in engineering, construction, and installation work. This is also used to mark and secure electrical or internet cables.
In general, the main task is connection and isolation. Some consumers believe that regular packing tape can be used. However, this material is not intended for securing electrical or other wires.
It cannot withstand temperature pressure and begins to melt. Therefore, you should not use it for serious tasks.
Insulation tape
Electrical insulating tape is a consumable material designed for hermetically sealing wires and cables from the negative effects of sunlight, solvents, moisture and other adverse environmental factors. Electrical tape is also used to electrically insulate exposed conductors from accidental contact with a person or other conductive materials. The use of electrical tape prevents electrical short circuits.
Other methods of operation
On thematic forums you can learn about standard methods of using insulating tape. However, such material has found wide application in non-standard areas of activity.
You only need your own ingenuity to use the material as follows:
- If, under unexpected circumstances, someone is injured and there is no bandage at hand, it is worth trying to apply a tourniquet with electrical tape.
- When carrying out painting work, you can also use electrical tape.
- Spending time in the forest is sometimes fraught with ticks and other insects that usually crawl up your sleeves. There is a creative way to solve this problem: wrap your sleeves with electrical tape.
- Is a rug or track constantly moving when you walk? Then use double-sided tape and secure the product for safe movement.
- When transporting objects, it is difficult to find a rope. Insulating tape will do its job just as well as rope.
During repair work, electrical tape not only plays a functional role. Often used to highlight interior decoration.
Purpose
Due to its versatility, this material is used in various areas of human activity. It is applicable both outdoors and indoors. In stores you can find ribbons of different colors, but the main thing is that they do not have any unpleasant odors - this indicates low quality.
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PVC tape is not recommended for insulating polymers or silicone surfaces that contain fluorine. If the surface to be treated has defects, pores or other damage, it must first be prepared by applying a primer material. PVC tape is applied only to a dry and clean surface.
Key function is insulating
Areas of use:
- work with electrical engineering. Electrical cables are insulated with tape, wires are connected, and bundles are marked;
- household work. PVC tape is useful if you need to repair various things, from tools to other household items;
- car repair. For example, if necessary, insulate wires and other places;
- package. Thanks to the adhesive coating, this tape makes it easy to pack small boxes. Packaging work is increasingly being automated;
- boat repair. To do this, use a special reinforced tape;
- pipeline protection. Pipes laid in the ground are constantly affected by the negative influences of the soil, so pipelines require reliable protection. PVC insulation helps protect the outside of pipes from rust. But here it is important to use it correctly, namely, wind it in a spiral to avoid distortions. The tape, resistant to moisture, waterproofs the highways.
This is not the entire list of areas where electrical tape is used. In addition to repair work, it is also widespread in creative activities.
It is also used in design
A Question of Choice
Before purchasing a tool, it is always wise to check its specifications and other features. You should take into account the wide range of types of insulating tapes.
In this case, we start from width, length, material, grade and adhesion. And most importantly, we define our goals.
Useful tips
- When choosing insulating tape, a number of parameters should be taken into account:
- base material;
- degree of adhesion;
- thickness and width;
- temperature conditions for using electrical tape;
- ability to stretch.
- Products are used not only for their intended purpose. The number of unconventional solutions depends on the user’s imagination.
- Hidden fastening of materials. Double-sided electrical tape helps.
- Homemade medical tourniquet.
- Surface decoration. Electrical tape is green, red, yellow - a large selection of colors will allow you to decorate the room in an original way.
- An alternative to masking tape, cord, and rope.
You can buy any type of electrical tape from us. Contact us, our specialists will assist you in choosing the right consumables depending on the conditions of use, and will suggest the best solution to the problem.
