Alwayslearningelec
Senior Member
- Location
- NJ
- Occupation
- Estimator
When splicing and using a wire nut/connector is taping the around/over the wire nut ever done? THanks.
Yes, it is done by many. Not me if I have choice. It is not required by Code or any listing instructions (AFAIK).When splicing and using a wire nut/connector is taping the around/over the wire nut ever done? THanks.
Taping over wirenuts just shows that the person that put the connection together doesn't trust their own work.
I have read that if there is vibration present like on a motor butt or on equipment that vibrates taping is the proscribed method to ensure the wire nut does not work loose.
I don't tape wire nuts as a rule.
A friend of mine with over 30 years experience in the trade tapes the terminals of most all of his receptacles and switches. I never saw the point in it and I don't do that either.
When splicing and using a wire nut/connector is taping the around/over the wire nut ever done? THanks.
I have read that if there is vibration present like on a motor butt or on equipment that vibrates taping is the proscribed method to ensure the wire nut does not work loose.
Of course it is.
1. Homewowners and handymen do it instead of simply twisting the nuts on properly.
2. Experienced electricians do it when necessary.
There are cases where wire nuts want to spin off. People have already mentions vibration areas like motors.
In my experience, it happens with stranded wire so in some cases I tape them to stay secure. I am very careful with making tight connections but I have had two cases where I came back to work I'd done to find loose nuts on #12 stranded connections.
I think I'll keep taping my motor connections even if some think it's amateur and diy'erish. Maybe I've been doing it all for nothing, but I haven't lost a motor yet and don't plan to start.
BTW, I use Ideal Reds and Tan twisters. Anything bigger than that gets insulated taps.
Perhaps this dates back to soldered connections. When the new "wire nuts" came out no one could believe something so simple could work so well, and we just kept the tape. Or perhaps some of the early wire nuts were not so great...
Do you tape the insulated taps also?
Actually, yes.
But just to keep the dust caps from falling out!