Electrical tape (or insulating tape) is a type of pressure-sensitive tape used to insulate electrical wires and other materials that conduct electricity. It can be made of many plastics, but vinyl is most popular, as it stretches well and gives an effective and long lasting insulation. Polyester electrical insulation tapes, although thin, are strong, abrasion and tear resistant, and offer excellent conformability. Coupled with thermoset rubber or acrylic adhesives, these high temperature insulation tapes allow for a wide range of serviceable temperatures up to 266⁰F. Additionally, the transparency of the films and their range of colors make these a great choice for color coding and masking while maintaining visibility of covered part. The use of high-quality insulating tapes provides optimum protection against dust, UV radiation, moisture, dirt, acids, alkalis and solvents, and is possible in a broad range of temperatures. It is tough to beat the efficiency, speed, durability and safety of taping, sealing and padding work. Insulating tape is also used in the marching arts (e.g. marching band, drum corps.) Drummers wrap their sticks in electrical tape, which allows for a better grip. It also makes the stick last longer. Color guards also use it on their sabers and rifles. Insulating tape is very frequently used to install low voltage cabling such as voice, data, video, alarm, and access control cabling. For this function it is used to attach the cable to pull strings, fish rods, cable snakes, and other devices. It can also be used to pull new cable by connecting it to old cable and using the old cable to pull the new cable in.Electricians generally use only black tape for insulation purposes. The other colors are used to indicate the voltage level and phase of the wire. (In fact, the colored tape is referred to as “phasing tape”.) This is done on large wire which is available only in black insulation. When wires are phased, a ring of tape is placed on each end near the termination so that the purpose of the wire is obvious.
