The Importance of Fire-Resistant Electrical Tape

Electrical tape is an adhesive tape that is used specifically for electrical phasing and wiring jobs. Used as a safety measure, electrical tape is applied to any wires or cables which will conduct electricity, to protect and insulate them.  Electrical tape is available in different types, depending on the material it is made from, including cloth electrical tape, mastic electrical tape, vinyl electrical tape, rubber electrical tape, and PVC electrical tape.

It creates watertight, impenetrable seals and has a triangular cross section for a smooth surface finish.

Backing construction, thickness, and dielectric strength are factors of a tape’s grade. The grade is highly indicative of its performance quality. Tape backings are either monomeric or polymeric, polymeric being the more durable of the two.

3M rubber tapes have operating temperatures ranging from 176°F (80°C) to 221°F (105°C). Some, like Scotch® Linerless Rubber Splicing Tape 130C and Rubber Splicing Tape 23, have overloads temperatures up to 266°F (130°C). Because of this high heat attribute; there are many industrial settings where it is common to use rubber tape in lower voltage applications to moisture seal, pad and insulate: