Tape or no tape?

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I never thought I should be adding incendiaries to a device box. That's just me talking, though.

When I see devices and wire nuts taped up, that screams very loudly to me, "A handyman was here".
 
I only do it for protection for other trades... we all have to work together...and have never taped wire nuts on... :) if installed correctly they seem so stay on by themselves.
 
The only time I ever tape is when doing "old work" in a home - replacing devices.

On new work - I use no tape.

Similar to Marc, when I see tape the Spidey sense starts tingling ~ DIYer at "work" or previous electrician who had no confidence in the integrity of the insulation of the wire.
 
jwelectric said:
I never buy any tape.
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Do many wire pulls? ;)

jwelectric said:
Why would someone tape a wire nut or a divice, are they broke?
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I have seen manufacturer instructions with imported fixtures that say to tape the wire nuts. They're the crap wire nuts anyhow, with no metal spring. That's probably why they need taping. If anybody actually uses those wire nuts, they ought to be tarred and feathered.
 
mdshunk said:
I have seen manufacturer instructions with imported fixtures that say to tape the wire nuts. They're the crap wire nuts anyhow, with no metal spring. That's probably why they need taping. If anybody actually uses those wire nuts, they ought to be tarred and feathered.
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That's what duct tape is for :D
 
Another non taper here.

It would be rare for me to tape a device even less likely to tape a wire nut other than exposed wire nuts on temp wiring
 
We tape devices in old work in those tiny metal boxes. It saves alot of grief when trying to stuff everything back in and the circuit is hot.
 
mdshunk said:
When I see devices and wire nuts taped up, that screams very loudly to me, "A handyman was here".
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Same here....

And the only devices that ever get taped are ones left as temp power during constrcution. You know.... the ones with the messy mud job around them.
 
e57 said:
Same here....

And the only devices that ever get taped are ones left as temp power during constrcution. You know.... the ones with the messy mud job around them.
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I use tape in limited installs.When using madison straps and metal old work boxes, particulary with decora receps. and with metal spark guards in multi gang boxes.
 
Tape a wire nut? Not likely, proper installation should insure that no tape is needed. Have been known to tape devices at certain times, but most of the time no.
 
There are some who do not go into an attic for the portion of an inspection. This 'CONtractor' was new in our area, and did not really know me.
What I have to say is hard to believe, but is true...
New 2 family house:
1. not 1 receptacle tested proper
2. 6 bathrooms, 2 baths no receptacles, 2 baths no GFCI, 2 baths GFCI wired incorrectly.
3. Attic wiring as I explained
4. I normally do not check to see if 3 ways work, these did not
5. most kitchen counter space did not have receptacles
6. in every room, there was at least one wall with no receptacles
7. the only smoke alarm in either dwelling was in the hall
8. no outside receptacles
9. no fittings used for the A/C discos
10. no equipment ground for the A/C whips
11. no straps for any visible locations
12. Service wired incorrectly
13. subpanels had neutral/EGC bonding
14. Wrong fixtures for the areas requiring Energy type fixtures
Oh yeah, in the attic, he had an air handler with no wiring to it. There was a guy there when I got there working on the A/C as it was not functioning...Hmmm!!! I did not tell him it was not wired, let him figure it out.

I could go on, but like I told the 'CONtractor'... "I am wasting my time here, call me back when you can figure out the way to wire the residence. Buy a code book and try to figure out the proper method of wiring. If you need a complete list of violations, I will come back at an additional cost to cover my time."

I also told him that my next trip would require all device covers and panels to be exposed for visual inspection, not my typical "final" inspection, but this place was/is a mess.
I also met the owner...he was Jumping maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!!! I was glad to get out of there.
Yes this guy does have a license...how I do not know. I also told him that I was passing this info to the licensing board.
 
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