Electrical tapes, also known as ‘electrician tapes’, are primarily used to insulate wires and protect workers from direct contact with electricity. From backings to their adhesives, they are made from insulative materials.
For wires and components that might carry electricity, electrical tapes ensure safety during exposure to humans. In addition to that, electrical tapes protect wires from environmental conditions like high-temperatures, moisture and chemicals.
Electrical Tapes by Material
From type to type, electrical tapes can be quite different in specific applications.
- Rubber and Synthetic-rubber Tapes
Rubber-based adhesives have shared stickiness and insulation to electricity; however, rubber and synthetic rubber are slightly different. In general, synthetic rubber is modified to have better flexibility and heat resistance, while rubber tape adhesives are less common but seen in some specialty tapes.
- Acrylic-based Tapes
Acrylic is another insulative material. Unlike synthetic rubber, acrylic is purely formulated and does not exist in nature. Acrylic performs some semi-resin features and does not adhere immediately compared to synthetic rubber in tape adhesives. Acrylic adhesives last longer than rubber-based adhesives, but they are less cost-effective.
- Silicone Tapes
Silicone adhesives are the most expensive of all insulative tape adhesives. They excel in thermal resistance and they are water-proof once the application takes shape.
- Vinyl Electrical Tapes
Vinyl, made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the most common backing material for electrical tapes. It meets the primary needs for wiring and offers good stretchability.
- Fiber Glass Tapes
Fiberglass is known for its strength and is often used as tape reinforcement. It is also a good insulation material. As fiberglass does not have good resilience, fiberglass tapes are often used for heavy load bundling and strapping.
Common Electrical Tapes’ Applications
Along with primary insulating, bundling, and strapping of the cables, electrical tapes can be used for various purposes, depending on the environment.
- Wire Splicing
Instead of replacing the whole circuit, we can group the existing wires by weaving them together. The wires have to be securely bundled to safely and consistently carry the current.
- Emergency Repair
In addition to immediately insulating the broken parts of electrical components, electrical tapes also serve as a temporary repair before further restoration. They can patch minor cracks on the surface and reinforce connections within some loose internal structures. Wire splicing is also one example of giving emergency repair using electrical tapes.
- Manufacture
During the manufacturing process, electrical tapes can be used to secure the wires and piping, improving the quality of the products. For some specific uses, tape adhesives are modified to leave no residual after removal.
Dependable Tapes for Multiple Applications
Electrical tapes are commonly seen in manufacturing scenarios, providing insulative adhering to surfaces, and therefore enabling safe and professional operations. With insulation efficiency and ease of use, electrical tapes have become indispensable yet all-purpose tools across industries.
Kingnode is a leading supplier of industrial tapes. We offer electrical tapes for varied purposes, promoting safety and efficiency for your business. With optimized cost-efficiency and insulation, our electrical tapes excel in different industries. We specifically recommend our residue free products, with high bonding strength while leaving no residue when peeled off. View our series of electrical tapes.