How to Use Electrical Tape: 5 Tips to Try

All tangled up when learning how to use electrical tape? A homeowner's best friend when making repairs in a pinch, electrical tape is resistant to moisture, corrosion, and abrasion. However, electrical tape's ability to "hold it all together" is only as strong as your knowledge about how to use it. Luckily, this guide walks you through five big sticking points when using electrical tape.

1. Choose the Right Grade

Avoid mission failure by selecting the right grade of electrical tape from the start. This step requires you to spend a few minutes browsing online or perusing the electrical aisle at the local hardware store. Most high-quality electrical tape is made from some type of plastic, and PVC is generally considered the best option for this type of product.

All electrical tape comes with a minimum and maximum temperature rating. If you’re planning to use the tape outdoors in cold conditions, look for a cold-weather variety to ensure that the adhesive power of the tape endures. For example, this type is best for wiring outdoor kitchen fixes. For indoor projects, any standard electrical tape should be adequate.

You also want to prioritize electrical tape that carries Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approval. This step ensures that a product has been tested based on national safety standards.

2. Check the Current

When using electrical tape to bind wires, it’s essential to confirm that no electrical current is present first. Unfortunately, experiencing an electric shock while binding wires commonly happens because people think that this job is too "simple" to require the need to turn off electricity to the area. Always turn off the area’s power at the circuit breaker box and double-check the current status with a voltage tester before applying electrical tape.

3. Follow the Half-lap Method

The proper technique for applying electrical tape is something called the half-lap method. The half-lap method involves overlapping every turn by half the width of the tape. Even ultra-deluxe, ultra-strong electrical tape needs this technique to be as effective as possible.

Generally, you want to do a minimum of two half-lapped layers when binding wires. Electrical tape should always be thicker than wire insulation. To achieve this, make each layer at least half the thickness of the insulation on your wire.

Why is the half-lap method so important? When learning how to use electrical tape, this technique doubles up the tape to create stronger binding with enhanced insulation. This method is beneficial because it helps the tape to stay in place longer without peeling or wearing away.

4. Mold Your Tape to the Object

Electrical tape works best when you mold it to the object it's being applied to instead of fitting it rigidly over the object. The best way to apply electrical tape is to stretch it as much as you can when you wrap it. Stretching while applying creates a much tighter application, sealing it onto the electrical object.

5. Don't Incorrectly Use Electrical Tape as a Permanent Fix for Every Wire Issue

It’s important to keep in mind that electrical tape should not serve as a permanent fix for insulating outlets or junction boxes. What could go wrong? As electrical currents pass through bare wires, they produce heat. This heat can cause electrical tape to degrade and disintegrate over time. You should replace cords that are severely damaged to avoid dangerous shocks from live wires.

If you're noticing an unexplained uptick in the amount of power being drawn with your electric usage monitoring, it's possible that weak or damaged wiring is increasing energy consumption. It could also be putting you on the brink of an electrical fire.

While electrical tape can be a great temporary insulator while you wait for a local electrician to come out, relying on it as a permanent fix could be a dangerous decision. Instead, hire a professional electrician to repair, replace, or install electrical work in your home to ensure a safe and long-lasting solution.