I'm going to ask here because I don't trust random browser searches... What are the pros and cons of friction tape? Is (was) the original purpose to be an under layer for rubber or vinyl tape to go on top of, or was it able to be used as a stand alone product?
Electrical tape
- Thread starter Samuel87
- Start date
- Status
I'm going to ask here because I don't trust random browser searches... What are the pros and cons of friction tape? Is (was) the original purpose to be an under layer for rubber or vinyl tape to go on top of, or was it able to be used as a stand alone product?
Buck Parrish
Senior Member
- Location
- NC & IN
I use Scotch 33, It'll last 20 years under water. Or is it 88?
I like 3M too.
3M makes the Scotch brand, I think.
40 years ago, electricians in our plant insisted on Plymouth Premium. We eventually switched to Scotch 33.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
That's the brand I could not think of. (Plymouth)
Thank you!
Grey was the color available here. IDK if it came in any other.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Thinking of that Grey tape. Not sure now if it was natural grey or not.
I think “Plymouth Premium Grey” was actually trademarked.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
3M has different grades of tape as well. Though some their cheaper stuff still is better tape then some the really cheap stuff you can find in some places.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I haven't seen any Plymouth tape in a long time, I do remember the premium tape in black though.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I believe this tape preceded the plastic tapes that came around maybe sometime in the 1950's or 60's.
You see it being only thing used to insulate splices in older wiring - particularly back when twisting and soldering was about the only method seen for making those connections.
It is a cotton base material impregnated with rubber for the most part, or at least that is what it originally was.
AC\DC
Senior Member
- Location
- Florence,Oregon,Lane
- Occupation
- EC
do you guys not use friction tape in motor splice boxed( called them pekerheads)
When I did industrial was taught to use for large motor for vibratiion, is that no longer needed.
When I did industrial was taught to use for large motor for vibratiion, is that no longer needed.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Is still an option.
Some seem to like the rubber tape, but can be a real pain to remove if not installed correctly.
Others often use Polaris or similar type connectors. Technically those were not listed for use with fine strands which often is what the motor leads are, but more recently I've seen ones by Burndy that are listed for fine strand conductors.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
I worked for a well driller who was in the Korean War. When I insulated the butt splices on the drop cable to pump pig tail, say it was a #4, he wanted me to use an entire roll of 33. And scotch cote.
Later I got smart and used heavy wall heat shrink
Later I got smart and used heavy wall heat shrink
Last edited:
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Polaris or similar makes a connector for fine stranded wire.
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
Here is a 3M spec comparison chart. It does not directly address fitness for diffeferent applications.
This Mike Holt thread has a comprehensive discussion and the second post in it has a link to a 3M site with more application information.
One clear differentiator applies when you are trying to build up a specific thickness of insulation:
33+ is 7 mil, 88 is 8.5 mil, 22 is 10 mil.
Plymouth Premium 37 (white) is a 7 mil tape and Plymouth Premium 85 (black) is an 8.5 mil tape. I did not find any grey.
Last edited:
letgomywago
Senior Member
- Location
- Washington state and Oregon coast
- Occupation
- residential electrician
Amazon says it's still available. I wonder how many use it still.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
It is a simple insert for the ones I used. A tinned sleeve that contained the strands as it was torqued.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I mentioned I have seen them from Burndy, not surprised if others have them.
Never seen any until sometime the past 5 years or so, maybe in part because supply house wasn't ordering them if nobody demands them - which often gets initiated by inspectors noticing misuse of an item and issuing correction notices for it.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
I wanted a pack of 10, IIRC, for 1/0. I ended up getting 10 packs of 10. Supplier billed me for the pack of 10 and gave me the rest because I was the only one that ever wanted them. I may still have a pack or two.
I got you thanks
- Status