# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/21 "2017-04-30T16:32:26Z")
> [@cornflakes](#): > > 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. If I’m not mistaken, this isn’t allowed any more. You now have to have a neutral at the box, so instead of using the neutral in that manner you’d have to use 3-conductor cable. I also used it most recently to repair the outer sheath of cable that I had caught with the edge on my hammer while stapling. Individual insulation was fine, just a couple wraps around the outside. ---
**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, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/22 "2017-04-30T17:25:01Z")
Electrical tape. What is it used for? Absolutely nuthin’, say it again. Good god, y’all. ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/23 "2017-04-30T17:28:54Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > If I’m not mistaken, this isn’t allowed any more. You now have to have a neutral at the box, so instead of using the neutral in that manner you’d have to use 3-conductor cable. Maybe so, but if you’re wiring up a 240V appliance in the US, you can run regular romex and mark the white wire with black tape. So the white and black wires are now both hot, and the ground wire is still ground. You don’t generally need a neutral - some appliances want the neutral so they can use 120V inside as well as 240V, but I suspect that this is rare, since it is straightforward to convert 240V to whatever voltage you need. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/24 "2017-04-30T17:47:55Z")
I use it to cover soldered splices when heat-shrink tubing is impractical (or when I don’t have any of the right size). I also use it to make a water-shedding cover for cable junctions that might be exposed to weather. > [@voltaire](#): > > I was gonna say it’s for sexy “club girls” to maintain nipple privacy. I’ve also seen it used by male cosplayers at conventions in venues that have a gender-neutral no-nipples rule. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/25 "2017-04-30T18:57:19Z")
Already mention wrapping wire nuts in crowded boxes, low voltage connections, and marking 240V wiring. I also wrap the wire nuts in outdoor boxes for extra moisture protection. Also had to use a high current aluminum to copper connector that had to be wrapped in silicone tape and then covered in electrical tape to hold it all together. I wrapped splices for welder cables with it. At times I’ve used it to temporarily hold wires together while sorting out a crowded box. And it’s just good general purpose tape. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/26 "2017-04-30T19:02:29Z")
Racing Stripes. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/27 "2017-04-30T20:01:50Z")
**Electrical tape. What is it used for?** To wrap around the muzzle of my dog when she barks too much.\* …and on my ex, for pretty much the same reason. \*just kidding…too much of an animal lover to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Beren\_Erchamion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90ced4/32.png) [@Beren\_Erchamion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beren_Erchamion)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/28 "2017-04-30T20:04:52Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I also used it to insulate my tool handles (not a great idea, by the way). Why? Is it just not as effective as one might hope? Or does it have side effects that make other means of insulation preferable? Or is it that the very project of insulating tool handles i itself a bad idea (this one seems unlikely, but just wanted to make sure I covered all the bases)? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/29 "2017-04-30T20:10:28Z")
> [@Drummond\_Bays](#): > > 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. Right, IOW, the only commonality between electrical tape and hockey tape is that they are both tape, usually colored black! 😃 The salient characteristic of hockey tape is a durable, rough, high-friction surface. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/30 "2017-04-30T21:20:26Z")
Covering up the LEDs and backlit ASUS on the front of my PC. It makes enough noise when it’s running, there’s no way I need light bright enough to read a newspaper by to let me know it’s on. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/31 "2017-04-30T21:21:34Z")
Friction tape was cloth soaked in asphalt and was used as insulating tape. Anyways, ten-speed bikes used to have Maes handlebars which were covered with thick plastic tape-grip material. I found plastic electrical tape stayed on much better. Other than that, I also used to do a lot of car stereo work on my old beaters. Twist and tape worked every time. Speaker connections were soldered, of course. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/32 "2017-04-30T21:29:18Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > 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. Or gaffer tape, which looks almost just like duct tape, but without the ultra sticky mess. Of course, it comes at a premium price compared to duct tape ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/33 "2017-04-30T21:37:16Z")
Electrical tape comes in many, many varieties, with equally many uses. The standard black vinyl tape is ideal for repairing the sheathing on extension cables after they have been properly spliced - several layers of tape, starting far down the cord, and wrapping tightly at first, then gently at the last layer, so that it doesn’t tend to unwind. As mentioned above, there’s friction tape, which is pretty useless for electrical work, but makes great handle grips. Recently I found the holy grail. Apple uses this, thin, yellow super-adhesive tape in their laptops (to hold cables in place). I finally figured out what it is (Mylar tape), and bought some. It’s great for computer repairs. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/34 "2017-04-30T22:04:33Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > 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. This! Makes the life of other trades during renovations and new construction that much easier. I see it as the mark of a responsible electrician that understands the needs of other trades and future electricians. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/35 "2017-04-30T22:06:11Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > In Canada, the generic name for the stuff is “Hockey Tape”. It’s used to reinforce hockey sticks. I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that you have never actually touched a hockey stick or hockey tape. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/36 "2017-04-30T22:39:23Z")
> [@Beren\_Erchamion](#): > > Why? Is it just not as effective as one might hope? Or does it have side effects that make other means of insulation preferable? Or is it that the very project of insulating tool handles i itself a bad idea (this one seems unlikely, but just wanted to make sure I covered all the bases)? I don’t know which particular issue **Chefguy** is thinking of, but electrical tape tends to ooze a little of its glue around the edges, especially under pressure or when warm. This makes it seal better, so it’s a useful feature for many applications, but wrapping around handles is likely to make them perpetually sticky. Dip-coating handles is a better solution, and products for doing so have been available for quite a while. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/37 "2017-05-01T00:59:39Z")
My husband uses it to secure wire nuts in junction boxes. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2017, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/38 "2017-05-01T01:16:55Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Covering up the LEDs and backlit ASUS on the front of my PC. It makes enough noise when it’s running, there’s no way I need light bright enough to read a newspaper by to let me know it’s on. God yes! I have a generic USB power supply wall wart with an electrical outlet and two USB outlets on it. I thought it would be great for charging my phone and iPad in my bedroom until I realized the blue LED was like a full moon on a clear night. Fixed by a small piece of black electrical tape. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/39 "2017-05-01T01:32:39Z")
As an electrician I’d use it to color wires, attach wires to fish tapes or pull strings, hold things in place, as a weight for throwing pull strings. taping off wires temporarily(as opposed to capping them with a wire nut), occasionally tape outlets in metal boxes, tape up signs. Doing well work I go through more electrical tape in a week than I ever did as an electrician. I order it by the case. A case has 240 rolls. We use a majority of it taping submersible motor leads to the drop pipe in the well. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2017, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550/40 "2017-05-01T01:48:02Z")
Outdoor extension cords. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electrical-tape-what-is-it-used-for/785550.md?page=3)