to tape or not to tape

[mattsilkwood]

ok guys i know its a personel preference but on a comercial or industrial job or for that matter residential, do you tape your devices or not? i personally do but thats just how i was taught, not that its right or wrong but just kinda curious.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

I myself never liked to tape devices unless they were installed in a single gang box (Jem box), even then I did not always tape them.

 

[stickboy1375]

waste of tape...

 

[mattsilkwood]

wow QUICK replie , thanks

 

[480sparky]

Many times in the the specs, even the brand and type of tape.

 

[stickboy1375]

I gotta be honest though, if I know someone is going to be installing tile in the near future, I will tape the devices because I know the tile guy is going to be pulling out the devices a few inches...

 

[480sparky]

because I know the tile guy is going to be pulling out the devices a few inches...

I'd rather shut the power off and lock it out.

 

[celtic]

I only tape when doing old work (replacing devices w/old brittle wires) or if it's part of the contract.

 

[stickboy1375]

I'd rather shut the power off and lock it out.

Yeah, I don't think a tile guy is going to pay for me to show up and turn off the power, but if i'm on the jobsite thats a different story...

 

[kkwong]

I have in the past and still do it. I was taught that way and now with some of the crappy roping of older homes I find it nessacery because of box fill.

 

[cowboyjwc]

A roll of tape used to last me forever. I would only tape in really tight boxes or if I found some bad insulation.

 

[smithacetech]

If there is multiple devices or the device is in a metal box I will wrap tape around the exposed terminals, just how i've always done it. I guess it just makes me feel safer & knowing that if someone doesnt turn off the circuit before messing with the device they are safer too...Aint I nice?... Then again, maybe If they are working on it hot they need a little wake up call!

 

[hockeyoligist2]

I tape all motors or anything that can vibrate.

 

[stickboy1375]

I tape all motors or anything that can vibrate.

You must have some strong tape to hold a motor down... :grin:

 

[tonyou812]

i only tape if its a cut in metal gem box and im using madison bars other wise its a waste of time. take the time it takes to tape and multiply by the number of devices. Money out of the boss's pocket

 

[andinator]

never ever in a house(oops, except island recp which is in metal cut in box) always in commercial.. The company I work for requires it. Is anyone else polite enough to leave a little "tail" on the tape so the poor schleppy down the road can unwrap that sucker?

 

[cowboyjwc]

No most aren't and that's a problem if you are trying to work it hot and trying to get 10 year old tape off.

 

[mattsilkwood]

thank for all the replies. i didnt think id get this much input so quickly.

 

[480sparky]

Yeah, I don't think a tile guy is going to pay for me to show up and turn off the power, ...

"I left it in a safe condition, Your Honor..."

....and trying to get 10 year old tape off.

No problem.... just remove the device from the box. The 10-year-old tape will fall off ! :grin:

 

[peter]

Due to several burnt screwdrivers in my pre-electrical days, I tend to almost always tape. I do leave a little tab on the end of the tape.
GFCIs have recessed screws so its not worthwhile.
I used to use about 12" of tape. 60 cents a roll of 60 feet = 1 penny. But now I just need to wrap 3/4 of the way around which saves a lot of money.
Onetime this guy installed a new receptacle and he didn't tape it. He also didn't screw in the unused screw. It worked....
Until he plugged in his tester and that moved it just enough to make contact with the metal mudring.
~Peter