# Electrical tape. What is it used for? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 30, 2017, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550 "2017-04-30T01:48:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/1 "2017-04-30T01:48:40Z")
I’ve done a lot of electrical work over the past 30 years. Have never used it for electrical work. Not even temporary stuff. So i have to wonder… what is it actually used for? Are there other uses besides temporary electrical stuff? ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/2 "2017-04-30T02:20:32Z")
Not a statistically significant use, but … When you assemble a composite [sailplane](https://www.schempp-hirth.com/en/sailplanes/ventus-2.html), white electrical tape is very commonly used to seal the small gap between the wing root and the fuselage. Ditto for the gap between the wing and a separable wingtip or winglet. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/3 "2017-04-30T02:37:31Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I’ve done a lot of electrical work over the past 30 years. Have never used it for electrical work. Not even temporary stuff. > > So i have to wonder… what is it actually used for? Are there other uses besides temporary electrical stuff? As an electrician back in the 60s-70s, I used it all the time for splices. I also used it to insulate my tool handles (not a great idea, by the way). Also used it when pulling wire through a conduit; you stagger the wires and wrap tape around them to make it easier for the bundle to go through the pipe. That was before pulling socks were very common. ---
**Author:** ![trylikeafool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@trylikeafool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trylikeafool)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/4 "2017-04-30T02:40:09Z")
I use it to cover exposed wire if the rubber insulation is torn off. We used it in theatre production for various SFX things. Sometimes they put it on the floor of the stage in theatre and in Hollywood to mark spots where actors or cameras are supposed to be. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/5 "2017-04-30T02:57:50Z")
I use it to wrap around the screw terminals of receptacles and switches. Not strictly necessary but it’s a nice safety add, especially if you have metal electrical boxes. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/6 "2017-04-30T04:10:40Z")
Code allows you to use the white wire as a hot if the ends are color coded with tape. For example, if you are running a line from a ceiling light to a wall switch, then you can tape the ends of the white wire (usually neutral) and use it as a switched hot. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/7 "2017-04-30T04:21:17Z")
In Canada, the generic name for the stuff is “Hockey Tape”. It’s used to reinforce hockey sticks. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/8 "2017-04-30T04:26:47Z")
The late punk rock singer Wendy O. Williams sometimes performed wearing nothing above the waist except strategically placed electrical tape. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/9 "2017-04-30T04:32:02Z")
My uses: 1. Temporarily to hold splices before I take it off and then put the wire nut on 2. Tool handles (not for insulating, i agree with **Chefguy** here) 3. Keeping rolled fabrics together (easy to peel off later) 4. I always bump my xbox, nearly knocking it over, so with a combination of mending plates and screws, to hold it in place, I used a bit of it nicely covering the screw threads to prevent scratching. 5. Holding already intact wires together (for organization, i don’t like how zip ties are either loose and serve no purpose, or compress the wires) 6.) For temporarily mending while I use glue, no marring from clamps (even with blocks under) this way, doesn’t leave a residue. 7.)temporarily taping a piece of paper to painted drywall or whatever (won’t take paint off and it comes off in one piece unlike masking tape where a thumbnail is used) 8.) On corners of furniture when moving. Anything where slight, temporary adhesion with no resulting damage is necessary, essentially. EDIT: I also use it for friedo’s same purpose, to cover terminals on outlets/switches. I know there is debate about this and safety, but whatever, different subject for a different time. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/10 "2017-04-30T04:53:17Z")
It can be used pretty much anywhere that you would use duct tape when you don’t actually have duct tape. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/11 "2017-04-30T05:00:14Z")
I use it occasionally in electrical work but not too often. I gather it was used a lot more in the past. When changing out old fixtures or ceiling fans I often find after applying wire nuts the whole shebang was wrapped in tape, presumably as a safety precaution. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/12 "2017-04-30T06:35:31Z")
> [@trylikeafool](#): > > Sometimes they put it on the floor of the stage in theatre and in Hollywood to mark spots where actors or cameras are supposed to be. I thought that was what gaffa tape was for. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/13 "2017-04-30T06:49:01Z")
Elephant boo-boos. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/14 "2017-04-30T09:09:22Z")
Bondage. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/15 "2017-04-30T09:32:43Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > The late punk rock singer Wendy O. Williams sometimes performed wearing nothing above the waist except strategically placed electrical tape. :dubious: I was gonna say it’s for sexy “club girls” to maintain nipple privacy. Seriously though, girls, don’t let my dumb jokes change your pastie material choices, I bet it’s pretty darn practical for that purpose. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/16 "2017-04-30T12:25:53Z")
I use it quite a bit for insulation for low voltage jobs. Prefer to avoid it for 120V lines but if there’s an insulation issue, it’s better than nothing. I’ll put it _over_ wire nuts to hold things in place if the box is cramped and I don’t want anything jiggling loose while working things into position. Etc. I have some shrink wrap tape. Looks like electrical tape but thicker. I feel safer using that in some situations. I also use it cover idiot lights on electronics. (E.g., had a DVD player in the bedroom that had a red light come _on_ when powered _off_.) I remember electrical friction tape\*. The glue was on both sides (deliberately or not). Incredibly sticky stuff. A real pain. - Some of the posts above seem to be referring to regular friction tape. Not advised for use as electrical tape. Just because it’s black doesn’t mean it’s electrical tape. And standard PVC electrical tape makes for a poor grip. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/17 "2017-04-30T12:59:09Z")
I use it to secure handlebar wrap on my bicycle. Brian ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/18 "2017-04-30T13:22:13Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I use it quite a bit for insulation for low voltage jobs. Prefer to avoid it for 120V lines but if there’s an insulation issue, it’s better than nothing. I’ll put it _over_ wire nuts to hold things in place if the box is cramped and I don’t want anything jiggling loose while working things into position. Etc. Dittoed. Also: To bate some hard material that may have snapped and left a sharp corner. If colored, I use it for identifying my luggage. Its usage as fetishwear has already been brought up, I’m so proud of us. Some time when you are not at work look up The Black Tape Project. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/19 "2017-04-30T13:23:06Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > It can be used pretty much anywhere that you would use duct tape when you don’t actually have duct tape. Yes - and given that most duct tape turns into a gooey “can’t clean it up without brutal effort” mess in a surprisingly short time, electrical tape may be a far better choice. ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/20 "2017-04-30T16:24:10Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > In Canada, the generic name for the stuff is “Hockey Tape”. It’s used to reinforce hockey sticks. Hockey tape is fibrous, and usually wider. It is easy to tear a straight, clean end with one’s hands. Electrical tape is plastic/vinyl/fiberglass and damn well next to impossible to tear a clean end. Hockey tape has very little stretch to it, as well. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550.md?page=2)