How to insulate wires with electrical tape or heat shrink tubing. Tape manufacturing technology First of all, we need a heat source

Insulating tape is a useful and indispensable material used for repair, household and other work. With its simplicity and ease of use, it has several characteristics and properties that must be taken into account during the purchase.

Types of insulating tape

There are two types of insulating tape:

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

• Cotton (C/B).

PVC insulation tape is made from polyvinyl chloride. It is widespread, unlike cotton tape. PVC tape is produced in various colors. The most popular colors are: black, blue, red. The adhesive part of the PVC tape consists of a rubber or acrylic adhesive coating without toxic harmful substances, which makes it safe for human use.

Cotton tape is made from cotton fabric, coarse calico and other materials. The main advantage of cotton electrical tape is the fact that it can quickly harden when in contact with a heated surface. It is recommended to use cotton tape for insulating wires of electric stoves, ovens, heating elements, and other heating electrical devices.

Cotton insulating tape creates insulation, protecting against voltage up to 1000 V. It retains its operational properties at a temperature of -30 +30 degrees. This type of electrical tape has not found wide application, compared with PVC electrical tape.

Peculiarities

With the help of PVC electrical tape, it is possible to achieve tightness of the joint of various joints during technical, electrical installation, repair work, and protection from various factors. The use of such insulation is recommended for isolating live parts and, which is protection against touch and electric shock.

Basic properties

PVC tape has the following characteristics:

• Width 13-20 mm.
• Thickness 0.13 mm or more. As the thickness increases, its insulation properties increase.
• Increased breakdown voltage. Some manufacturers give a guarantee for the high values ​​​​of the dielectric properties of the insulating tape.
• High quality insulation is achieved by winding several layers of tape.
• The tape is resistant to heat, so it is used in a wide range of temperatures.
• Excellent adhesion is created by a combination of thickness and type of adhesive layer.
• Strength. Good strength indicators make it possible to use the tape for electrical work of particular complexity.
• Fire resistance. Tape is used to insulate wire connections, so this property plays an important role.

Advantages and disadvantages

PVC insulating tape has the properties of a dielectric, can create tightness, has good extensibility.

However, at elevated temperatures, PVC tape is prone to melting, so it is used in places that exclude heat. When choosing such a material, it is necessary to take into account the voltage, temperature and humidity of the place of insulation, as well as the temperature of the external environment.

Material Features

The composition of PVC electrical tape is based on polyvinyl chloride, the products are produced in rolls up to 19 mm wide. The material of the tape has good performance properties, it is used for insulation, fasteners, packaging and other works.

Tapes with an acrylic tack coat develop adhesion over time, while the rubber tack shows its tack immediately upon application. A feature of such an insulating tape can be called difficult flammability, explosion safety. However, if the tape does catch fire, then toxic substances are formed that are harmful to humans.

The insulating properties of the tape make it possible to use it in places with voltages up to 5000 V. This is enough for domestic and industrial use. The standard PVC insulation tape according to GOST 16214 - 86 has gained popularity in the insulation of cables, wires, pipes.

For the correct use of the tape, it is necessary to know the methods of application: during the insulation of the junction of the wires, the tape is wound, starting from a thinner place to a thicker one. With special care, you need to approach the bare places of the wires, while not pulling the electrical tape too much, as it may break.

The PVC tape is equipped with a sticky layer that has protective properties. When taping the pipeline with an adhesive layer, the surface of the pipes is protected from rust, since the adhesive layer insulates and protects the coating of the pipes. To ensure effective and high-quality sealing, the tape should be free of tears, defects and missing places of the sticky layer. Most often, the adhesive composition is based on rubber with the addition of a plasticizer, which is designed to create a tape resistance to environmental factors, including low temperatures and humidity.

High-quality PVC tape should be smooth, elastic, securely fixed to the surface. High stickiness guarantees its fixation on any surfaces of complex shape.

Application

PVC electrical tape is inherently universal, so it is used in different areas. The temperature range for using the tape is 0-90 degrees. It is used outdoors and indoors. In the trading network, the tape has a wide range of colors. High-quality electrical tape should not have an unpleasant odor, otherwise we can conclude that the material is of poor quality.

If the surface is destroyed, has pores and other damage, then before applying the PVC tape, the surface is put in order, treated with a primer. The tape should only be applied to a prepared, dry and clean surface.

PVC-based electrical tape is used in many areas:

• In the production of work with electrical engineering. In this case, such material is used to insulate electrical cables, wire connections during repair work, and mark wire harnesses.
• In household work around the house of various types, when repairing various things, tools and other household trifles.
• When repairing a car to insulate wires and other places.
• In the packaging of goods. The special adhesive-coated packaging tape is widely used for packaging light weight boxes. Packing can be carried out both manually and automatically.
• PVC electrical tape can also be used to repair boats using a special reinforced tape.

Pipeline protection

Let's take a closer look at the use of PVC electrical tape to protect pipelines. Much attention is paid to this protection, since the reliability of the pipeline and the entire system depends on it. Pipes laid in the ground are under the influence of the negative influences of the soil. Therefore, pipelines must be reliably protected.

For this, PVC tape is often used, which protects the outer surface of the pipe from corrosion. But for high-quality protection, the tape must be wound correctly. The tape is wound in a spiral, with an adhesive layer to the surface of the pipe. This makes it possible to avoid distortions and wrinkles on the tape.

Benefits of insulating PVC pipes with tape

• The tape is resistant to moisture, which allows for complete waterproofing.
• The tape material is not subject to corrosion and fungi.
• The adhesive layer provides high strength protection of the pipe with tape.

Use colored duct tape when tagging something in the system or when marking boxes when you move. Unlike stickers, it will not peel off, tear or fail.

2. Fix the binding

When the binding is frayed or the cover is torn, and the book is still read and read, seal the damage with a wide electrical tape. Attach the tape to the entire spine at once, fix it around the edges, or even wrap the entire cover with strips of strong adhesive tape.

3. Make a neckline

Insulating tape is the secret of a seductive neckline and generally revealing outfits. Yes, we are talking about Kim Kardashian and her duct tape bra (does not hold so well, falls off).

4. Protect surfaces when painting

When you paint something and it is very important that the drops of paint do not fall down and do not spoil some part (baseboard, visor, window sill), just seal this part with electrical tape. Then remove it along with the paint.

5. Make an airtight package

Any package becomes airtight if you have electrical tape. Just glue all the seams and joints with it additionally.

6. Fix the tent

There is no better material in the world for a quick tent repair than duct tape. In the place where the patch will be, the camphouse will be stronger than in all the others.

Also, tape must be put in a backpack if you went on a kayaking or cycling trip. As a temporary measure to seal a tire or boat, that's it.

Insulating tape works in general everywhere and everywhere. Electrical tape is a gift from the gods, it must be worshiped.

Andy Weir, The Martian.

Electrical tape will even help to hide from: if you wrap her legs in the place where the pants end and the socks begin, then the ticks will not have a chance to get under the clothes.

7. Make a bottle cap

Another reason to always carry at least a small roll of duct tape in your bag. You have a bottle of water but no lid. Wrap the throat with electrical tape more tightly, then hold out even without a lid.

8. Make a strap

When you need to move a box or some kind of cargo that does not fit in a bag or bag, and it is inconvenient to carry it in your hands, wrap it with electrical tape and make straps and handles out of it, like a bag. To do this, you need to fold the electrical tape in two layers, sticky surface inside, and make a loop of the desired length. The insulating tape is strong, withstands heavy loads and does not slip. And if you use a wide electrical tape, then the strap will be comfortable and will not cut your arms and shoulders.

9. Organize a playground

For example, you are at home, you cannot go outside (rain, hail, flood), and the child needs to jump into hopscotch, draw a railway on the floor or something like that. Mark up with tape. On it, the child will not slip, then you remove it, and the floor will remain intact. Tape will work on carpet too.

10. Fix the mat

Double-sided electrical tape will hold the rug at the front door or the path in the corridor so that no one accidentally slips on the carpet that has left from under their feet. This is especially true when there are children at home.

11. Make a rope

In general, electrical tape turns into a rope for anything. Two layers glued together, strong enough to hang clothes on. And if you weave a pigtail out of three such ropes, then it will withstand heavy loads. It can come in handy in any situation.

12. Help the person

Insulating tape is the means of the first. She is temporarily repairing objects and people. For example, a tourniquet, a pressure bandage, a tire will turn out from electrical tape. And she will replace the band-aid in extreme situations. And the electrical tape is indispensable if the lung is injured and you need to urgently apply a bandage that will not let air into the chest.

And with the help of electrical tape, splinters are removed. Only for this it is necessary that the splinter does not completely go under the skin.

13. Decorate the room

Any electrical tape is a material for creativity. A black tape that sticks to all surfaces is a designer's dream. She can draw almost anything on the walls.

14. Save yourself from the cold

Insulating tape also protects from cold air. If you get cold in an emergency, wrap yourself with electrical tape over your clothes. So you keep the heat from the body and do not let the cold air inside.

15. Mark the road

If you are walking an unfamiliar route far from civilization, mark the path with two strips of colored electrical tape. When you return, remove one strip at a time so as not to get lost and not go in circles.

How to insulate the wires so that the contact connection lasts you as long as possible, and the insulation resistance in this place is equivalent to the "native" insulation of the cable or wire?

This is especially important if we remember the fact that more than 90% of all damage to cable and wire products, and indeed electrical equipment in general, occur at the place of contact connections. That is why, the application of high-quality and properly executed insulation should be given the closest attention.

But before we analyze the types of insulating materials and how they are used, let's focus on. After all, the type of insulating material largely depends on this factor.

• Most often in everyday life, we are faced with the need to connect several wires. But the connection to the connection is different. Indeed, according to the norms of the PUE, wires can be connected by welding, soldering, pressing and bolting. Note that the method of twisting wires, which is so popular among the people, is not in this list. And this is no coincidence. After all, twisting the wires does not guarantee the quality of the connections and its reliability during operation.

Types of insulating materials and their scope

We decided on the contact connections - now let's figure it out, but how can we insulate the wires? For domestic use, there are usually two options - this is electrical tape or heat shrink. But each of these materials has a lot of varieties and applications. So let's look at them in more detail.

Insulating tape

Let's start with the most common and time-tested material - insulating tape. This material is applied to the conductor by winding on the conductive part. But the properties of this product depend on the material of manufacture. And there are not so few of them.

So:

• The most common option is PVC tape. It is made of polyvinyl chloride film, on the surface of which a special adhesive is applied. This solution should provide good adhesion of the tape to most types of materials.
• In our country, PVC electrical tape is produced with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.2 mm. The composition of the adhesive solution and the base of the sleeve also differ. In addition, the color range of such electrical tape has recently expanded, which in Soviet times was only blue.
• This material can be used to insulate any type of connection. The insulation resistance of such electrical tape, according to the norms, is tested for a voltage of 1000V.

In the electrical industry, it is often necessary to mark or insulate a piece of cable, strengthen wire connections, protect elements from moisture, and so on. The matter is simple. It is enough to have an insulating tape, wind it in the right place and you're done. But as it usually happens, you have to write about such simple things in great detail, since both beginners and fairly experienced electricians make a lot of mistakes.

In this article, we will look at two methods of insulating wires using vinyl electrical tape and heat shrink tubing. You will learn how to do it right and wrong, what tools are needed and some "company secrets".

When is isolation needed?

• Wire color coding. Sometimes there is no wire of the color you need on hand. It doesn't matter—just have the correct color of duct tape or "thermocouple" and use it to indicate proper cable functionality at both ends.
• Cable insulation - during electrical work, accidental damage to the insulation of the wire can be caused. Usually they do not replace the entire wire, but put a patch.
• The housing can touch not only the insulation of cables, but also connectors that do not have their own insulation, or, for example, they need to be protected from mechanical damage and moisture.
• Strengthening connections - sometimes the outer sheath of the power cord of a device is damaged, frayed. Then such a cable hangs on two or three wires without a protective layer. When a complete break occurs is a matter of time. There are also two options: replace the power cord or try to strengthen it in the place of damage.
• It happens that due to the large number of devices or cables, there is a bundle of wires in some area. They can be cabled, secured with cable ties, framed or, if it is a short section, wrapped with a heat shrink sleeve.

Vinyl electrical tape

This item should always be in every electrician's drawer. And preferably several skeins in different colors: blue (for mass), yellow-green (protection) and phase (brown, black, gray, red). With this set, the marking of the ends of the wires will be functional in color.

What is important when choosing electrical tape?

• Colour- it's already been said
• Width- if there are no special preferences, you can take the standard size 19 mm.
• Length- the longer it is, the better
• stickiness is a factor that should also be taken into account. Unfortunately, each manufacturer describes that the adhesiveness is great and the duct tape will stick until the end of the world. It can be assumed that the cheaper the tape, the worse the adhesiveness. So buying a branded electrical tape in an electrical store, most likely it will be of high quality.

How to properly insulate with electrical tape

Suppose you need to isolate shattered insulation. You don't need to wrap the whole section at once, but attach the tape to the cable insulation next to the damaged part of the insulation on the undamaged section. But before you do, make sure that the cord is not dusty, wet or dirty (glue cannot stick in this case).

Sequentially moving the electrical tape to the damage and slightly tightening, wind the tape until you reach the intact wire insulation on the other side of the damage.

If the tape is much wider than the frayed area, simply wrap 3 times in one place so that the damage is in the center.

The insulating tape can be cut qualitatively with the help of side cutters, but this is not always possible and affordable.

You can do without tools at all and firmly grasp the selected place on both sides of the area, stretch the tape and eventually break it. Of course, the edge of the torn ribbon will not be too beautiful, but in many cases it will do.

It is important that the breaks occur quickly. Slowly stretching the tape until it breaks, we get to the point that the tape will be greatly stretched and even more damaged.

Incorrect use of electrical tape

Error 1 - lack of tension

During winding, the electrical tape does not stretch, which means it does not stick to the insulated material.

Mistake #2 - winding back and forth

Winding once in one direction, and then in another, can lead to deformations as in the previous case.

Mistake number 3 - go the easy way

This is well shown in the picture. This option can be tempting when there are a lot of wires and little space. But the small contact surface of the tape with the cable is the basis for disconnecting in a very short time and revealing the bare wire. This is especially important in wires with a small cross section. This method can be used for temporary marking of wires, but not for permanent insulation.

Heat-shrink tubing

Instead of electrical tape, heat shrink tubing can and should be used in many electrical work. What are the differences between these isolation solutions?

• Heat shrink is usually a stronger, more aesthetic and more durable solution.
• To "attach" it to a wire or other element, you need to heat up the tube.
• Heat shrink is not universal, its size must be adapted to the insulated element.
• Unlike electrical tape, heat shrink tubing is rigid and non-separable.

What is important when choosing a heat shrink

1. The size. One of them is the diameter of the hole before heating. And the second is the minimum diameter of the hole after heating. The tube will not shrink indefinitely. Therefore, the tube must not only fit on the cable before insulating, but also pressed against the wire or connector after heating.
2. If you want to use a tube for cable marking, its color is important.
3. Fire resistance. This parameter should also be of interest, especially when we intend to use a lighter to heat the heat shrink tubing.

Heat shrink tubing can be bought in long sections (usually 1m), but you can also buy a set of several short pieces of different colored heat shrink in one package.

How to properly insulate with heat shrink

First of all, we need a heat source:

• Matches- the last resort. Only if the element is small and easily accessible. In addition, you will breathe sulfur and harmful secretions.
• Lighter- for easily accessible items, you can take it too, but be careful! So the insulation of the wire can be generally burned.
• hot air gun- the best, but also the most expensive solution. Unlike open flame sources, the ability to direct heat at any angle is preferable, as damage to the wire will be very difficult. It is best to have a heat gun with adjustable heating temperature to adapt to different occasions.
  You can also try a regular home hair dryer, but this is already a perversion.

Insulation of a thermotube with a lighter

First, we cut the heat shrink tube corresponding to the cable diameter according to the table. It should be slightly longer than the damage, so as to capture the wire insulation on both sides by a few millimeters.

We place a piece on the cable at the point of damage and heat the heat shrink tube until it pinches the cable insulation. If the cord or element is thick, you will have to rotate it so that the heat reaches the tube from all sides.

Attention! The flame must be away from the wire. It's worth practicing before you start the real work.

Standard insulation is designed for a maximum temperature of 70C. Even if the flame does not break the insulation, it may ignite or begin to smolder, especially when the work is long.

Thermal hair dryer for insulation

We can say that such a hair dryer (also called a heat gun) is a slightly more powerful hair dryer (just kidding). It creates an air flow with a controlled temperature from several tens to several hundred degrees.

If the hot air gun has temperature control, start low, it may take longer for the heat shrink to react, but you will safely reach the optimum temperature setting this way. If your hot air gun does not have this setting, start blowing from a distance. If you notice that the heat shrink is not evenly distributed on the cord, you can turn it around to heat the tube on each side.

Attention! When directing the air flow towards the object, be careful, the heat gun can blow out air of the order of 500C. Sometimes after such work with wires in the junction box, the paint begins to peel off the wall!

If you use heat shrink tubing to insulate a solder joint, do not overheat it for a long time.

Mistakes when using heat shrink

Mistake #1 - overheating

You need to be careful not to touch the wire with a flame so as not to ignite it. Also, do not burn yourself or damage the surrounding objects.

Mistake #2 - wrong size

It happens that after shrinkage it turns out that the diameter of the tube is still too large, and the section does not stick to the insulated element. This can be corrected by trying to stretch the still warm tube. When we have a thicker connector and a relatively thin tube - do not try to put an owl on the globe, it is better to just use the right size heat shrink.

Summarize

Now you have learned how to properly use electrical tape and heat shrink tubing, what mistakes can be made and their consequences. What tools are needed to isolate an object. We are sure that the article has added something to your treasury of knowledge in the field of electrical engineering. If something is not clear, ask in the comments below.