Vinyl tape vs rubber tape

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Ponchik

Ponchik

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Location
CA
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Electronologist
If this has been discussed please forward me the link.

I was always under the impression that all mechanical connections need a rubber insulating tape before the vinyl tape. Because the vinyl tape is not listed for insulation. But that seems to be incorrect. I saw on 3M's website that the regular vinyl tape is rated for 600V.

I assume my understanding was either a myth or one of the things that was passed down from past generation and I never questioned it. Or maybe the rubber tape is required for voltages higher than 600V?

I would appreciate it if you have a UL link as well.

Thank you
 
I hear quite often that colored tape we use has no insulating value which is not true. Can rubber tape be used without a covering of vinyl?
 
The vinyl is good for 600V
The rubber tape is 750V/mil

I use vinyl over it because the tacky side goes out and I don’t want everything sticking to it.
It’s not required though.
 
infinity said:
I hear quite often that colored tape we use has no insulating value which is not true. Can rubber tape be used without a covering of vinyl?
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I always put the vinyl on top of the rubber to hold it in place since the rubber does not have any adhesive. Then again that could be unnecessary.
 
edward said:
I always put the vinyl on top of the rubber to hold it in place since the rubber does not have any adhesive. Then again that could be unnecessary.
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That is how I've always seen application when using the rubber friction tape, to apply vinyl adhesive tape over the friction tape to secure it.
 
I pretty much always use rubber tape too, and then vinyl tape to secure it. Not sure why. I guess its the way I was tought and old habits die hard. Not sure what is wrong with just vinyl tape.....

So say I have some 600V rated vinyl tape. How many layers do I need? I Cant seem to find that anywhere. Im looking at the spec sheet for super 88, but I cant seem to find any installation instruction though. The spec sheet says rated 600V per UL 510, Standard “Insulating Tape”, Category OANZ, File No. E129200. Will that provide instructions on how to achieve the 600V rating? The stuff is only 8.5 mil thick, I cant believe that one layer is sufficient.....#14 THHN has 15 mil insulation so that is 40 volts/mil.
 
I always thought the point of the rubber tape was to protect the vinyl tape from anything poking through it.
 
I think it has a lot to do with the type of connection/environment/servicing and less about voltage/insulation.

If it is a crimped connection I'm okay with 3M cold shrink or adhesive lined shrink tube.

If it is a split bolt on a motor in a high vibration situation that I want to be able to take apart.......cambric/fiberglass, then rubber splicing, then vinyl, then maybe friction tape.

So it all depends. I will say there isn't any line I trust more than 3M!
 
Hv&Lv said:
Well, this is interesting…


View attachment 2558168





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OH cool, I couldnt find those destructions! So "two half-lapped layers" means essentialy 4 layers of tape? Am I thinking about that correctly? It seems like pretty much any cconnection would have "irregular surface" so I would say rubber tape is required.
 
So in theory (not that I will do it) but I can wrap my connection with one layer of tape and I should be good to 600V?
 
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