IQS Newsroom Articles on Electrical Tape
Electrical Tape
Electrical tape is made from materials that don't conduct electricity and therefore is very useful for insulating electrical wire or other conduits and securing lighting cables. It is sometimes made out of plastic, but mostly vinyl because of its ability to stretch, tear easily, and last long. These useful properties led electrical tape to become an all-purpose tape used not only by electricians, but by athletes, musicians and homeowners. All electrical tape has been UL certified not to catch fire or burn if overheated, and therefore is safe to use when wrapping exposed wire. Electrical tape is most often black because of its ultraviolet resistance, but many electricians use different colors to identify voltage levels and phases of wires. For example, blue tape signals a low voltage, phase C wire, brown represents a high voltage, phase A wire, and green tape is used on earth ground wires.
Electrical tape is often adhered to exposed wires by wrapping the roll around the wire so that the tape comes off the roll. Light tension should be applied to keep the tape on the wire, where it becomes waterproof, insulated, and safe to touch. The tape needs to be wrapped tightly so there are no gaps where moisture can get in, but not too tight or else it will stretch too far, change shape and loosen as it returns to its original state. Electrical tape is able to stay put for many years, and may be easily removed without leaving adhesive on the wire. It may also sometimes be referred to as PVC electrical insulation tape (if it's made out of plastic), insulating tape or friction tape.