Electrical tape; generic or named brand?
#1
03-20-20, 01:48 PM
Member
Thread Starter
Electrical tape; generic or named brand?
Electrical tape varies from $4 per roll (scotch) to less than $1 per roll (commercial electric).
Is there any reason to buy the expensive ones?
Is there any reason to buy the expensive ones?
#3
03-20-20, 05:13 PM
Group Moderator
Scotch 33+ is the Cadillacs of tape. Once you use it you'll never want to use anything else. Best tape for cold weather work. However it is expensive and rolls will mysteriously disappear..... especially if your an electrician.
We buy tubes (10 packs) of Scotch 1700 black tape. It's half the price. Doesn't stick quite as well and gets hard in the cold but does the job.
We buy tubes (10 packs) of Scotch 1700 black tape. It's half the price. Doesn't stick quite as well and gets hard in the cold but does the job.
#4
03-20-20, 06:36 PM
Member
I have always found Super 33+ to be the best, but wonder about Super 88. Never tried the 88 tape and would love to hear an opinion on it. Plymouth used to have a good tape too, it was light gray.
#5
03-21-20, 04:05 AM
I usually go for the higher quality to lessen chances of issues in the future.
Also, I never pull on the electrical tape to break it from the roll as I use it. I always use my utility knife. Reasoning is that the tape when pulled like that expands in length. After some time the tape wants to return to its original length and actually shrinks in size. People wrap a receptacle with tape and pull the roll to break the tape off. Let that receptacle sit for a day or three and you will find the tape begins to pull off the receptacle. Cut the tape with a knife and then wrap it.
Also, I never pull on the electrical tape to break it from the roll as I use it. I always use my utility knife. Reasoning is that the tape when pulled like that expands in length. After some time the tape wants to return to its original length and actually shrinks in size. People wrap a receptacle with tape and pull the roll to break the tape off. Let that receptacle sit for a day or three and you will find the tape begins to pull off the receptacle. Cut the tape with a knife and then wrap it.
#6
03-21-20, 06:54 AM
Group Moderator
The only time I use the better tape (Scotch 33) is when I am making a splice or something I want to last. Cheap tape (Temflex or discount brand) is fine for grouping wires, tieing on wires when fishing/pulling, or wrapping devices.
#7
03-21-20, 08:43 AM
I generally hate tape. I do have a roll of 33 and 88. Most of it gets used for pulling wires with a snake or other temporary use.
but, my area has been florida, the land of 130 deg attics. 10 year old attic tape is a mess.
I will use white tape for neutral marking in service equipment. Black marking is done with sharpie.
but, my area has been florida, the land of 130 deg attics. 10 year old attic tape is a mess.
I will use white tape for neutral marking in service equipment. Black marking is done with sharpie.
#8
03-21-20, 10:28 AM
Member
The problem with tape is that it gets old and brittle, but worse yet is the adhesive that is used gets either very gooey or dries up and is useless. If one must cover a connection, if possible I use hot melt glue, similar what's used ob many circuit boards.
#9
03-21-20, 02:23 PM
Member
