How to insulate a live wire. How to insulate wires with electrical tape or heat shrink tubing

Thermal insulation for the electrical network is mandatory; it performs a number of functions. The main task is to prevent direct human contact with live parts, to protect the network itself from thermal, mechanical and chemical influences.

Have the wires always been insulated?

Insulating tape for wires

Already in the early stages of using electricity, it was known that the wiring would have to be insulated. Today, plastic, rubber and other low-cost insulating materials are used as insulation, the service life of which will be long.

In the recent past, ineffective but at the same time expensive materials. There were also bare wires that were marked with a sign to warn people to be careful around them.

Electrical wiring insulation requirements

The material intended for insulation has not only dielectric properties, but also performs protective function. Depending on the installation method and conditions of use, other requirements may be imposed on the insulation.

  • Long service life high degree resistance to aging.
  • High resistance to abrasion and tearing.
  • Resistance to temperature influences, especially high temperatures.
  • No possibility of bending.
  • Chemical resistance.

Requirements for insulating material vary depending on mechanical influences environment, mechanical loads, current conductivity in the environment of use.

Coupling and its insulation

Cable insulation sleeve

The coupling is used in cases where it is necessary to extend the wire, for example, when moving a switch or socket. The coupling along with the wiring will be embedded in the wall, so its insulation must be airtight. The most reliable option in this case is to use heat shrink tubing. When choosing, the degree of its shrinkage is taken into account. As a rule, this part is characterized by threefold shrinkage; it is important to take this into account when choosing the required diameter. Insulation is carried out in several stages - first of all, the cores, and then the rest of the section.

As soon as the wires are connected, the tube is pulled to the end of the wire.

Insulation of current-carrying conductors

The places where the wires are connected are insulated using ordinary electrical tape, but the contact will be thicker, and it will be more difficult to put a heat-shrinkable tube on it. As an analogue, it is preferable to use special heat-shrinkable material. Shrinkage is carried out using an ordinary lighter or a hair dryer.

Shell insulation layer

At this stage, the insulation of current-carrying parts should already be completed; for complete and reliable sealing, the coupling shell is additionally processed. This is especially important when coupling sheathed cables or wires. The tube must hide the connection point and extend at least 1 cm onto the outer insulating layer on both sides, otherwise there is a possibility of dust and moisture getting under the factory wiring sheath.

Switching boxes

Insulation of wires in the junction box

Contact devices in the intra-apartment network are switching boxes. This design is protected from the harmful effects of the environment by the housing and cover. The need to isolate electric wires will depend on design features equipment. If it is equipped with clamping jaws, no additional protection is required. If this is not the case, it is necessary to separate the conductors.

Connection using twists is most often used in contact boxes that are not equipped with blocks. However, over time, the twist loses its density due to expansion caused by temperature changes and oxidation of the conductors. To do this, tightly twist the stripped ends of the cores clockwise, and then, having put on the cap, twist it in the same direction, applying a little effort. The internal cavity of the plastic cap is equipped with a steel cone spring. When carefully twisted, it fits tightly and compresses the contact. Caps can be produced in different colors and sizes, which will allow you to select the appropriate contact.

When making twists designed for heavy loads, before insulating the wires, they are treated with a special substance intended for electrical contacts. This will reduce resistance and also protect against active oxidation.

PPE insulation cannot provide reliable tightness, therefore it can only be used in a special compartment of the contact device. If in the future you need to connect a new line or replace a lamp, the cap can be easily removed, which cannot be said about electrical tape.

During work on the line, it is necessary to turn off the power to the panel.

Insulation of wires of electrical devices

There are several ways to insulate wires in electrical appliances.

Insulating wires with electrical tape

First of all, you need to thoroughly twist all the wires together. If the wire has a large number of cores, it is preferable to simply solder them.

Next, the insulating material is taken and the entire cable is carefully wrapped. It is important that you end up with two layers. You should not allow even the smallest part of the wire to remain uninsulated, this will inevitably lead to a short circuit.

Heat shrink insulation of wires

Heat shrink for wires

Insulating wires in this way is as easy as shelling pears. But it is important to put on the handset at the moment when all the wires are already securely connected to each other. It is preferable to use for insulating copper conductors.

After all the wires have been connected, a cap is put on the wire, which needs to be warmed up. It is best to use a hair dryer for shrinkage, but if you don’t have one, you can get by with an ordinary lighter. In this case, the heat shrink must be completely tightened on the wire, since the resistance of the insulating layer of the wire will lead to an accident.

Heat shrink is used to insulate wires that are intended to operate in a humid environment, water or ground.

How to insulate a wire in a wall

It is necessary to select plaster at a distance of up to 3-5 cm from the site of damage on both sides, the depth of the trench is 1 cm. These conditions are mandatory for the smooth and high-quality connection of damaged sections of the chain. The next step is to disconnect the wires and make a cut in the insulating layer along the center.

10-15 mm of insulating material is removed from the damaged ends of the conductor. If the wiring is old, the insulation will likely be hard and would be nearly impossible to remove with a knife in tight spaces. It is better to use the reflow method.

The ends of the copper wires are covered with a layer of soldering iron solder. It is important to tin the conductors very carefully from all sides. Finally, an insulating tube is placed over the connection. If a moisture-resistant connection is required, the pre-connected area can be treated with silicone.

How to use an extension cord safely in the garden

Heat shrink sleeve

To connect garden equipment, extension cords with IP54 waterproof rating are required. If the insulating layer has been damaged, it must be sealed to ensure complete operational safety. This can be done using heat-shrinkable tape. Simply wrap it around the wire and heat it with a hairdryer.

When exposed to heat, the insulating substance shrinks, thereby crimping the wire tightly. Also, when shrinking, glue is released from the inner surface of the insulating material, which enhances the effect. In terms of the quality of the work performed, heat-shrink tape is not inferior to tubes made from a similar material. Another advantage building material is that it is possible to use it in a winding way.

Precautionary measures

Before you begin insulating the electrical network wires and household appliances, you need to make sure that the network is de-energized. It is recommended to turn off the voltage using a special circuit breaker. Next, use a flat screwdriver with an indicator to check the presence of voltage at the output - the place where the work will be carried out.

When performing work, the quality of the materials used matters. If a material is flammable and susceptible to thermal effects, this will inevitably lead to accidents or emergency situations in the future.

Lada Puvereh

Current question.. Cursed be the day when they say so, I got behind the wheel of this vacuum cleaner as a whole! May its carburetor dry up forever! Wire from the Internet and others low voltage, low current (meaning the current through it is very small). Basically, even if the common wire is exposed (visible veins of metal) nothing bad will happen from a safety point of view (unlike the cord, where it can shock it or another to close the deal). The main purpose of the sheath of an online wire is not electrical insulation and the creation of strength. In fact, we can do anything, even paper glue (painting tape), even foil, even wires, there will be no trouble. Well, electrical tape certainly has better strength, flexibility and some aesthetics compared to other materials. I apologize if I'm wrong.

Bad522

Can you wrap the presenters with Internet tape (or something else)?

Yes, it’s really difficult... Any car will last you for the rest of your life if you drive hard enough. Although I'm not very strong in this topic.

Ketere Santa

I never thought about such difficulties)) And like something else.. Doubt in words: it’s possible, with duct tape, than. The cable itself is not broken, right? put in another stick in hard-to-reach places, if the wire insulation is not damaged, sealed and remember..

Starter Unamaze

Exactly, but I am definitely needed... My father is a genius. You really can take a car that barely drives and make it a car that doesn't run at all. Buy a new one, it will cost less than insulating tape. And fulfill the demand of Alexander Tsepunov. You can. Temporarily.
Then it’s better to replace the wire… .. Whatever you say, we’ll all be there.))

Gedewa

Sell ​​me bread, and tell me, in short, that there is no wind today.. As the last avtoispitania, communication Management, in combination with known reasons, outlines the contour of the chaotic perception of information. .. Everything seems to be correct.

Racer Elub

What does that mean? You can.
This does not affect the quality of work, but in appearance it protects from further mechanical damage.
Everything is designed to be impractical; it’s cheaper to replace it. .. How true everything is.

Big Kapot

The wire? Ale! Is anyone at home? It is simply a miracle that the Apostle Paul managed directly to do so much on such territory without having a car. Maybe. Send an e-mail to this type of cable even for how and for how long you want.
If high connection speed is important, minor damage can affect it, even just a small bend of less than 10 cable diameters.
Better buy a new one. It doesn't break. Remove it from under your feet and install it correctly in another place. If pets chew, protect your disposal areas (hazelnuts, ripple). .. I would like your problems.

Raxux Fedi

Can? And what do you mean? Exactly, exactly what you might need. And no problem. I remember that the cable guys decided to stretch the cable through one floor, because there was no one at home and they didn’t open the vestibule on the other floor - they tore out several cables. In fact, after scandalous calls from my neighbor, as many as five people with frightened faces arrived at their company - one was shaking duct tape, others stood and watched carefully, cool... Well, in general, it did not affect the quality in any way.

Neodim

Definitely possible. What does it mean? You can do anything with insulating tape; it’s a magical thing) it will seal everything up.. I even know where you can buy inexpensive, good insulating tape. we buy it there kleylenta.ru/ .. Although I could be wrong.

Do-it-yourself electrical, electrical, electrical installation work. Tool, wire stripping, insulation, insulation. Clean, isolate, insulate. Insulating tape. Insulating tape. Choice, choose

Do-it-yourself electrical, electrical, and electrical installation work. How to strip a wire and insulate a connection. We isolate the conductor. Insulation, correct application of insulation, insulating tape. Selecting electrical tape. (10+)

Electrician's tutorial - Implementation electrical installation work

Electrical installation work

Tool

We will need: a phase presence indicator, wire cutters, two pliers, two knives - sharp and dull, insulating tape, screwdrivers and spanners— it’s better to have a set for all occasions, as you may need different sizes and shapes. To test some household appliances you will need a tester. Incandescent light bulbs, heaters, and some electric motors can be checked with a tester by setting the resistance measurement mode. When the tester contacts are open, the tester shows infinite resistance. If the device being tested is working properly, the tester will show some resistance that is different from zero and from infinity. Energy-saving lamps and some other devices (TVs, microwave ovens, etc.) cannot be checked with a tester.

A tool belt or vest is very useful. It allows you to have a tool at hand all the time and always place it in a certain place. This vest saves 70% of time during electrical work. Usually all the time is spent not on performing work, but on searching for a tool. In addition, by being distracted by searching for a tool, you reduce the attention paid to important work.

Stripping wires

Removing vinyl insulation from wire (stripping) presents several challenges. Firstly, when stripping a wire with a knife, you can damage the wire itself. Secondly, usually in a wire, each bus is placed in vinyl insulation, and then the buses are combined together into the wire by another vinyl tube. To install the tires, you need to separate and cut the outer tube without damaging their own insulation. It is believed that a professional electrician can perform these operations easily with one knife, as he does it every day.

Although I have more than once seen damaged insulation and the bus itself in the wiring. I got myself two knives to do this kind of work. One knife is dull and soft. I made it from a brass paper cutter. It is quite blunt, it is convenient for stripping the insulation from the busbar and exposing the copper or aluminum wire. This knife is easy to cut vinyl, but impossible to damage metal. The second knife is very sharp. With its help, I clean the metal wire from oxides and varnish (it happens that insulating varnish is also applied to the wire under the vinyl insulation) and divide the wire into cores. Cleaning must be done thoroughly. Make sure that the oxide film and varnish are removed from all sides of the wire. I divide the wire into cores like this. First, at the very end, I cut the wire lengthwise into a short length. This damages both the external and internal insulation. But this is not scary, since in this part we still have to strip it down to the metal. Then, using a sharp knife, I make an incision into the outer insulation to approximately half its thickness to the length that I want to divide the cores. This way the knife does not come into contact with the internal insulation. Next, I use two pliers to stretch the wires in different directions. The outer insulation is easily torn along the cut. See picture.

A1— internal vinyl insulation of each core separately. A2— external vinyl insulation (uniting vinyl tube). A3- metal core. It is covered with oxides that do not conduct current well. They need to be scraped off later with a sharp knife. Sometimes it is wrapped in fabric and/or varnished. Fabric and varnish also need to be removed. A4- cut the outer tube to the length of the division by half the thickness of the outer tube.

Insulation

Connections, and indeed all places where the insulation could be damaged, must be insulated. During electrical installation work, insulating tape (electrical tape) is used for insulation. The wires must first be insulated separately to prevent their mutual contact, and then together to prevent their contact with external environment.

You need to choose electrical tape based on a simple consideration. The glue applied to it must be reliable. It's easy to check. Take a piece of electrical tape (you don’t have to tear it off the spool, but simply bend it). Let's glue it to a finger, then to another, then to a third... There is always grease and dirt on human skin. The electrical tape should remain sticky even after gluing it to the fifth finger. During the experiment, hands should be clean from a household point of view (i.e., not coated with oil or bulk materials).

Note. Firstly, no mechanical forces should be applied to the insulating tape during operation. Secondly, there should be no sharp burrs or edges of the conductors that could pierce the tape. Third, the tape should not be exposed to aggressive environments that could damage it or the adhesive. For example, you should not allow water, gasoline, oil, or heating from adjacent heat sources to come into contact with the tape. Fourth, the electrical tape must be securely glued to the vinyl insulation of the conductors to a sufficient width to prevent slipping and peeling off.

Green is vinyl insulation, red is electrical tape, and orange is metal. P1- incorrect. Under the influence of mechanical forces, the tape will slide. P2- incorrect. The sharp whiskers of the wire will gradually rub and pierce the tape. P3- incorrect. The contact area between the electrical tape and the vinyl sheathing is too small. P4- incorrect. The part shown in black will gradually fray the tape. P5- right.

Unfortunately, errors are periodically found in articles; they are corrected, articles are supplemented, developed, and new ones are prepared. Subscribe to the news to stay informed.

If something is unclear, be sure to ask!
Ask a Question. Discussion of the article.

More articles

Can an LED lamp cause harm? Is she dangerous?...
About security LED lamps and lamps for vision...

How and with what to tighten the self-tapping screw? Screw, screw, screw, screw,...
Tips on how to tighten self-tapping screws in different materials and in different cases...

Features of using 220V LED lamps. Review….
Use of LED lighting lamps in everyday life. Properties, features. Review….

Connecting the boiler with gas burner to an autonomous electric generator (...
Why does the combustion indicator not work, the burner turns off when the boiler is powered from...

How to stop a kitten from chewing wires, shoes, objects...
The kitten chews shoes, wires, slippers. What to do?…

Welding of non-ferrous metals, alloys, argon, argon, carbon dioxide, helium,…
Welding of non-ferrous metals and alloys…

Tips for writing an explanatory note...
Explanatory letter.

Is it possible to insulate wires with tape?

Sample. Correct structure, instructions, explanations for...

Completion of welding, weld seam. Preparing parts. Voltage….
Preparing parts for welding. Finishing the seam...

Every girl could notice that after a very short time, no matter how wonderful the manicure is, the varnish begins to swell, break and crack. The reason is that such nail care products very rarely last long. Therefore, in modern world found perfect solution To solve this problem, use gel nail polish.


Description of this tool

The first thing you need to know about this polish is that it is a combination of gel and polish, as the name suggests. Thus, it is considered a perfect version of regular nail polishes, which also includes distinctive features gel. For example, the nail coating lasts stronger and longer, and is not affected by external factors, because the gel itself allows the manicure to be durable and long-lasting.

Those girls who are interested in nail extensions may notice that the gel used in the varnishes is the same as that used for a similar procedure. Gel coating is usually done in professional salons, but this does not mean that this procedure is not available at home. The most important thing is to have ultraviolet lamp, which allows the gel layer to dry. Without a lamp, it is unlikely that you will be able to carry out such a procedure, so you don’t even have to try.

If the question arises of how to get rid of such a wonderful and long-lasting product, then a special liquid will come to the rescue, which is usually sold complete with varnish. It can also be purchased at any store specializing in personal care. This is a very easy process; you can remove the varnish yourself in literally 25 minutes if you follow the right technology.

Gel polish is superior to regular polish in beauty, ease of application, and longevity of wear. It allows nails to have a perfect smooth surface, add various decorations and use designs on the nail plate.

Pros of gel polish

So, we can move on to specifying what actually is the advantage of such a tool. Of course, without trying it, you can hardly say for sure how convenient the gel polish is to use and effective in further application, however, some highlighted points will help you decide in favor of this type of varnish:

  1. Application is no different from regular varnish. An interesting advantage of gel polish is its ease of application.

    How to insulate wires if there is no electrical tape?

    You don't need to have a huge amount of special equipment or skills to cover the nail plate with varnish.

  2. The varnish is very stable, so it can last up to 2 or 3 weeks (with careful handling, the period may be longer). This is one of the main advantages of this product, because ordinary varnishes cannot last so long.
  3. No unpleasant or negative symptoms after. Gel polish does not contain harmful components, so you don’t have to worry about the health of your nails after this procedure.
  4. Gel polish is often used to create a wide variety of patterns, designs and types of manicure. It is multifunctional.
  5. Gel polish can be applied to different types nails This also applies to extended or regular nails.
  6. The composition contains substances that nourish the nail plate and strengthen it. Gel polish prevents the nail from peeling.
  7. Gel polish contains a large number of different colors and shades.

Cons of gel polish

There is nothing perfect in this life, and gel polish may contain minor flaws. Usually they are not paid attention to, because they are clearly inferior to the huge number of advantages of the product and good reviews from regular users of this technique, but you should pay attention to some points so that the process goes without any problems.

  1. Gel polish required special lamp for drying. The gel layer on the nail plate does not interact with air, so it does not dry out in this way. Only ultraviolet rays can allow the polish to adhere to the nail.
  2. For removal you will also need a product that is sold in the store. At the moment, there are many methods for removing gel polish at home without using a special liquid, but one way or another, they will all harm the condition of the nails, so professionals strongly do not recommend using this.
  3. Gel polish adheres very well to the nail, but this has a downside. For example, as the nail grows, the space between the cuticle becomes very noticeable. Therefore, even if the varnish is still able to last for some time, the manicure itself does not look very aesthetic due to overgrown nails. Gel polish is not the best The best decision for girls whose nails grow quickly.


There is hardly a person who does not know this material and has not used it at least once in his life. But strangely enough, even dealing with it every day at work (electricians primarily), not many people know about it technical properties and characteristics. This is what we will talk about.

This dielectric material is a dielectric (insulating) material and is used in industrial, construction and household work for electrical insulation of wires and cables during repair and splicing of electrical cables with non-metallic sheaths operating in a static state. It provides tightness, protection from moisture, salts, weak solvents, ultraviolet rays and etc.

Currently, the most common types of electrical tape are: PVC and CB.

PVC electrical tape is an insulating material made on the basis of polyvinyl chloride. It has a standard type of tape roll, about 14-19 mm wide. A sticky coating of acrylic or rubber adhesive is applied to one side. These substances are non-toxic and therefore are absolutely harmless to human health.
As for its technical characteristics, it has good elasticity and stretchability, stretchability equal to 100-150%, high dielectric strength, resistance to temperatures ranging from -30 to +50 degrees (meaning electrical tape is relatively good quality and those conditions in which it is pleasant to work with her). Finds application both in production needs and in everyday life. In addition to being used in electrical work, it is also used for installation, fastening, fixing, packaging, etc.

How are crimped wires in junction boxes insulated?

Example symbol for PVC tape with sticky layer width 15mm, thickness 0.2mm, of blue color, premium: PVC tape 15 x 0.20, blue, premium quality, GOST 16214-86.
The stickiness of the second grade tape is 2 times less than that of the first grade tape. For tapes with acrylic adhesives, the strength of the adhesive bond increases over time.

For tapes with rubber adhesives, complete adhesion is achieved almost instantly.

PVC tape is an explosion-proof, non-flammable material; it undergoes a combustion process when an open flame is applied and extinguishes when it is removed from the flame. When burned, it releases harmful and toxic substances: carbon monoxide, vinyl chloride and tricresyl phosphate, etc.

As for the electrical insulating properties, it is designed to withstand breakdown voltages of up to 5000 volts, which is quite sufficient when used in industrial and household work (values ​​up to 0.4 kV).

The tape should be stored indoors at an ambient temperature from +5°C to +35°C, relative humidity no more than 80% and at a distance of at least one meter from heating devices. It is prohibited to store PVC insulating tape together with organic solvents, acids, chemicals, flammable and combustible liquids and other aggressive environments. Subject to the conditions of packaging, transportation and storage, the guaranteed shelf life is 10 years from the date of manufacture. Guaranteed shelf life in field conditions is 3 years from the date of manufacture.

This insulating tape has its advantages, it is very pleasant to work with (it winds well, has good hermetic and dielectric properties, does not smudge, stretch, etc.), but it also has one small drawback. It does not perform well at high temperatures, namely it melts and becomes unsuitable for its original purpose. In external electrical installations, PVC tape is susceptible to frost, does not stick together and breaks, so it is not recommended to work with the tape at temperatures below 10°C.

Brightly colored electrical tape is convenient to use for marking wires and cable ends. With the help of catchy shades (red, yellow, orange), you can highlight the places where there are breaks, and they will immediately attract attention. If you need a color that best matches the surrounding materials, there are black, white, green, blue and purple electrical tape on sale.

HB insulating tape is also very popular and widely used in practice. This type is an insulating black rubberized tape and is intended for electrical work in non-aggressive environments at temperatures from -30°C to +30°C. This type of isolette is also called fabric and fabric, because. The tape itself contains cotton fiber. Factories in the production of cotton insulating tape use harsh calicoes, harsh calico, harsh galosh padding or other fabrics that do not impair the physical and mechanical properties of the tape, as well as rubber compounds manufactured according to technological documentation approved in in the prescribed manner and reflected in the certificate.

At the moment, HB electrical tape is manufactured in two versions:
1 – one-sided (the adhesive rubber base is applied on one side of the tape);
2 – double-sided (the adhesive rubber base is applied on both sides).

According to GOST 2162-97 (former GOST 2162-78), cotton insulating tape is produced in the following grades:

For industrial use:
1 POL – one-sided normal stickiness;
2 POL – double-sided normal stickiness;
2 PPL – double-sided with increased stickiness;

for wide application:
1 SHOL - one-sided normal stickiness;
2 SHOL - double-sided with normal stickiness.

An example of marking (symbol) of double-sided non-wide electrical tape for industrial use with increased stickiness, 20 mm wide: 2 PPL - 20 GOST 2162-97

Dielectric and insulating properties are limited to 1000 volts. To store the most favorable conditions there will be dry rooms with temperatures from 0 to +24 degrees.

HB type tape should be stored in closed warehouses at an ambient temperature of 0°C to +25°C at a distance of at least one meter from heating devices.
It is allowed to store cotton insulating tape in conditions of negative temperatures (up to - 30°C). In this case, before use, the CB tape must be kept at a temperature of +23°C ± 5°C for at least 24 hours. If the cotton tape meets the requirements of GOST 2162-97, as well as subject to the conditions of packaging, transportation and storage, the guaranteed shelf life is 12 months from the date of manufacture.

HB insulating tape should be used when working on electrical insulation in premises (not with high humidity). This type of insulating tape has the advantage that it is more resistant to heating the conductor. Can be used when low temperatures, when heated, it sinteres and does not elongate; when it ages, it hardens and has great abrasive resistance. Initially, due to the fact that it is rubberized, its use is similar to PVC, but if this electrical tape is fired, then as a result it loses some qualities, but other qualities appear. Suppose we need to insulate the bare ends of the wire in a place where it is relatively hot (about 150 degrees), simple PVC insulating tape will simply melt, and if we wrap it in cotton wool, then first there will be a natural burning of this area of ​​winding of this insulating tape (that is, combustion of the existing rubber and material). As a result, a hard coating is formed at the winding site, which can protect against direct short-circuiting of exposed areas with other conductive parts. Although this place is no longer resistant to high voltage. This may well be useful for use in some heating devices with electric heating elements. The disadvantages of this electrical tape are that over the years it loses its water-repellent properties and rots. The solution is to tightly wrap several layers of vinyl tape over the fabric.

However, the developments of leading enterprises in terms of thermal stability have already surpassed their “rag” counterpart.

For example, fiberglass tapes have the highest heat resistance. Excellent absorption of resins and varnishes makes these tapes unrivaled for fastening and fixing applications at operating temperatures up to 200°C. Tapes based on polyester, polyimide, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and epoxy films also have good heat resistance.

Where special mechanical strength is required, glass fiber reinforced tapes are well suited. They are characterized by extremely low elongation, high tensile strength and puncture resistance. Paper tapes have good shock-absorbing properties, puncture resistance and impact resistance.

If high dielectric strength is critical, tapes based on polyimide or multilayer (composite) film are recommended. Acetate fabric tapes are aesthetically pleasing and provide excellent elasticity in applications such as transformer coil wrapping. They also perfectly absorb electrical insulating resins and varnishes and can be used at operating temperatures up to 105°C.

Polyester film based tapes are designed for insulating parts that require thin but strong and durable tapes. They have excellent puncture and abrasion resistance, resistance to chemicals, solvents, and moisture.

Epoxy tapes are universal option, if elasticity, wear resistance and heat resistance are required at the same time. The tapes can withstand operating temperatures up to 155°C and are UL recognized as flame retardant. Their dielectric strength is also very high. The versatility of tapes based on this will help reduce the range of tapes used in production. The adhesives used in the tapes also vary. Electrical tapes use rubber, acrylic and silicone thermoactive adhesives. Thermal activity of an adhesive means that when exposed to high temperatures for a certain time (a hot cure cycle), the adhesive changes its properties, ultimately becoming more high performance in terms of adhesive strength, solvent resistance and heat resistance. Although heat curing is not necessary (the tape already has sufficient initial adhesion for many types of applications), it significantly improves the properties of the tapes and is recommended for some processes.

The correct selection of electrical tapes suitable for a specific process is an integral part of efficient production. But it is equally important to be sure that you are purchasing a truly high-quality product. Therefore, you need to choose a manufacturer who is guaranteed to provide a constant level of quality for their products.

How to use insulating tape

In order for the insulating tape to perform its intended functions, it must be applied (wound) correctly. Bare areas of live parts and conductors should be insulated with at least three layers of tape. The width of the layer superimposed on the other should be slightly less than the width of the tape. Insulating tape is applied starting from the thin end of the product to the thicker one. If you insulate wires using insulating tape, be sure to wind them with a margin so that it extends beyond the twist. Carefully insulate the exposed sections of the wire, covering the cut area of ​​the cable insulation. If you are using PVC insulating tape, do not pull it when winding it, as this will affect its performance: the thickness and width are reduced, and the properties are reduced. Be sure to secure the end of the insulating tape by making two to three additional turns at the end of the winding.
PVC insulating tape is not recommended to be applied to silicone coatings and fluoropolymers. When applied to easily deteriorating, delaminating, crumbling materials (fibreboards, untreated wood, concrete), preliminary treatment (priming) of the surface using primer materials is necessary. The surface areas to which the tape is applied must be dried and cleaned of dust and dirt.

Human life depends on proper insulation of electrical wires. That is why it is necessary to take care to do everything right.

Electrically, wires can be insulated using the following materials:

  • Heat shrink tube.
  • Electrical tape.
  • PVC tubes.
  • Special terminals.

Heat-shrink tubing

Cut part of the tube so that it is longer than the part of the open wire by a centimeter on both sides.
Next, you need to expose the wire and put the tube on the place where it was twisted.

You can shrink the tube using a special hair dryer.

How to insulate wires, and how to do it correctly

If you don't have one at hand, use a regular lighter.

PVC tube

Connect the two parts of the wire by putting a tube on them. There is no need to warm it up, as in the first case.

Insulating tape

The most common and inexpensive material. Every home should have insulating tape, because with its help you can quickly restore damaged wire insulation. It is necessary to purchase only high-quality insulating tape, which will guarantee a long service life of electrical connections.

To insulate the wires, they need to be connected and twisted together, and then wrap the tape not only around the twist, but also around part of the wire. Winding should be done at a slight angle. The edges of the electrical tape should extend beyond the bare wire by a centimeter on both sides.

Insulation terminals

This type of insulation comes with a dielectric housing. This method of connecting wires does not require additional insulation. Terminals can be of several types:

  • Plates with cells.
  • Wago self-clamping terminals.
  • PPE caps.

To connect wires using plates, part of the bare wire is inserted into a special cell, and then pressed on top with a bolt. Wago blocks use self-clamping mechanisms instead of bolts, which allows you to quickly and reliably connect two parts of the wire.

Although more and more wireless devices are appearing every day, the main means of transmission electric current there are still wires left.
Various types of insulation are used in the production of wires and cables. Each type of wire insulation determines the scope of application of certain cable products.
During the installation of wires or cables, it becomes necessary to insulate the places where they are connected or connected to electrical appliances. How can this be done?

Previously, paper was used to insulate cables, but now, with a huge amount of modern materials it is used extremely rarely. The paper was wound in several layers, soaked in oil and rosin. This helped resist the effects of moisture.
In production conditions, reliable insulation is made from fluoroplastic. PTFE tapes are wound around the wires and baked. A shell is formed that is not afraid of not only chemical or temperature, but also mechanical influence.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is also called vinyl insulation. Polyvinyl chloride is resistant to alkalis and acids, does not conduct current, does not dissolve in water, therefore it is wide application in the manufacture of insulating materials. Used for the manufacture of insulation for wires and cables. PVC electrical tape is also produced to insulate wire connections.
One of advantages of PVC insulation - its cheapness. Polymer insulation is quite elastic and resistant to temperature changes and does not burn in air. In production PVC materials can add plasticizers, they slightly worsen the insulating properties and resistance to chemicals, but increase elasticity and resistance to ultraviolet rays.


If the connecting cable uses vinyl insulation covering the wires, then . It can consist of 2-5 aluminum or copper cores. The shell can be vinyl or rubber.
The service life of PVA cables exceeds 6 years. During this entire time they do not require replacement. They are resistant to corrosion and mold, withstand frosts down to -40° and heat up to +40°. Their operating resistance is about 270 Ohms per 1 km.
Cables with PVC sheath and aluminum conductors are used in urban electrical networks, for supplying electricity in production and residential areas. apartment buildings. PVA cables with copper conductors have become widespread when connecting almost all household appliances and other equipment to the network. low power, they are used for electrical wiring in private houses and apartments.

Application of rubber insulation

In industrial applications, rubber sheathing is often used to insulate cables. To her positive qualities include:

  • Moisture resistance.
  • Elasticity.
  • High resistance.
  • High temperature resistance.

Rubber insulation is produced on the basis of natural and synthetic materials. High-quality synthetic braid has better performance - it ages longer and withstands the effects of aggressive chemical substances and negative temperatures. The rubber bends easily, so the wires can be laid in any conditions. But over time, the rubber insulation ages, cracks and begins to conduct current. In high temperature environments, it is recommended to use vulcanized rubber for insulation. Rubber insulated cables are most often used where cable flexibility is required. These are power cables of cranes, descents to control panels of crane beams. Connection welding transformers, both from the power side and from the low voltage side to the electrode “holder” and the neutral wire.

Wire insulation methods

The purpose of insulating electrical wires is mainly to prevent current leakage. For this reason, it is made from non-conductive (insulating) materials. Depending on the operating conditions and design features of the cables or wires, the type of insulation is selected. The following types are used for electrical installation work.

  • Insulating tape.
  • PVC tube.

Insulation tape

Insulating electrical wires with electrical tape does not lose its relevance. Insulating tape is inexpensive and is sold at any hardware store in a wide variety.


It must be wound at an angle, starting from the edge of the original wire insulation. With a parallel connection, an empty winding tube is made at the end of the twist, bent and continued movement in the opposite direction.


Common PVC insulating tape melts when exposed to high heat, but does not allow moisture to pass through. Cotton insulating tape, on the other hand, can withstand high temperatures, but it dries over time, and when wet it can peel off.


PVC is also used to make cambrics - tubes for insulating wires and cables. In order for the tube to fit tightly, you need to choose the correct diameter of the tube.


How to properly insulate twisted wires, watch the video:

Heat shrink tubing

Heat-shrinkable tubes are made from polymers (PVDF, PET, silicone and others). They are used mainly on low-voltage equipment, when the DC voltage does not exceed 1 kV.


If you want to use heat shrink for wires, then you need to perform a number of steps.

  1. Cut off a piece of heat-shrink tubing that completely covers the exposed section of the wire (connection), with a margin of about 2 cm.
  2. Then you need to put a tube on one of the ends of the wires to be connected.
  3. Twist the conductors.
  4. After this, the tube is moved to twist and heated with a construction hairdryer.

As a result of heat shrinking, the insulation is pressed tightly against the wires. If you don’t have a hairdryer, you can use a lighter, carefully holding it at a short distance.
This is done when insulating twisted wires connected in series. If the connection of wires is parallel (the so-called bundle of wires), then first twist it and then put on the tube.
In most cases, heat shrink tubing is easier to use than electrical tape. The tube can be quickly put on; it fits the wire connection more tightly and does not unwind. But it is more difficult to remove it if necessary. You just have to peel it off or cut it off.
Manufacturers put markings on the tubes that show what temperature it can withstand and what voltage it is suitable for. They release the tubes different diameters and colors, so for different brands and sections of cables it is always possible to select the appropriate insulation and color marking.
How to properly insulate wires using heat shrink tube, watch the video:

Terminal Applications

It is used as insulation in a dielectric shell. Terminals are sold in the form of caps or blocks that clamp the wires. If you want to insulate the wires in distribution box, then the choice of terminals is one of the connection options.

But a lot depends on the load. At high loads, it is better to use soldering for connections, and put an insulating tube on top.
Tightening aluminum wire with screw terminals is not recommended because aluminum will begin to leak under constant pressure. As a result, the connection weakens, resistance increases and a short circuit occurs. If you decide to connect aluminum wires with terminals with screws, then you need to do an inspection at least once a year.
Connection of copper and aluminum wires twisting method is unacceptable. When current passes between metals, a electric potential, the wires heat up, which can cause a short circuit or, worse, a fire.
However, in one case, twisting can be done - if copper wire cover with tin-lead solder (tin). But more often, terminal blocks or (screw, nut and washer) are used to connect both aluminum and copper.

Insulation resistance

Current leakage may occur between cable cores and the external environment. One of the goals of isolation is to prevent their occurrence. The value that shows how well a wire is insulated is called insulation resistance.
The higher the resistance, the more reliably the wires through which current flows are protected. Each brand of cable has its own value for this indicator. Insulation resistance is established by GOST or technical specifications (TU).
Resistance is measured at a given temperature (about +20°) special device(megaohmmeter). If measurements are taken at subzero temperatures, its value will be underestimated, and in hot conditions it will be overestimated. After readings are taken, they are entered into the “Wire Insulation Measurement” protocol, compared with standard values ​​and conclusions are drawn about whether the cables are suitable or not for further use. Electrical wiring that fails the test must be repaired or replaced. The periodicity of testing wire insulation is stipulated by the Rules. The insulation of the wires is also checked after completion of electrical installation work. repair work, after the wiring gets wet or overheats.
How to correctly check the insulation resistance of conductors using a megohmmeter, watch the video:

In life, we often come across electrical wiring. This could be the electrical wiring in the room or the power cord from the TV. Nothing in this world lasts forever, and any wire can be damaged. Damage can be mechanical, thermal, or whatever. But the result is always the same - damage to the outer insulating layer. And the question arises - how to insulate the damaged part of the wire. And no less important - how to isolate correctly, and therefore also, what to insulate with? Quite often it happens that two wires are spliced, which means that the junction also needs insulation.

Wire connection location

Firstly, you need to connect the wires correctly - this is done by twisting. If the wires are multi-core, even just one of them, then it is better to unwind them into separate wires and twist them “in parts”, so the twisting will be more reliable. For reliability, the resulting connection should be soldered, if possible. After this, you need to twist it along the length, leaving the end about 0.5 cm. This tip needs to be bent close to the wire.

In- Secondly, you can use a heat-shrinkable tube as the first layer of insulation, or you can use regular PVC. In the first case, the tube is pulled onto an even hotter junction. It is worth considering that after cooling, it will be impossible to remove such insulation. In the second case, you need to wait until the solder has cooled down, and then place a piece of PVC pipe on the twist.

The length of the tube should be selected slightly longer than the length of the twist. During operation, the wire heats up, and the outer insulation in the twisted area decreases slightly in length, so the insulation must be made with a “margin”. For reliability, you can wrap a layer of electrical tape on top. If there is no tube, then the electrical tape can be applied in two layers.

We isolate the damaged part of the wire

  1. If we have already found damage in the wiring, we can bite the damaged wire and then make a reliable twist;
  2. If the place is at the end of the wire, then if there is a tube, the wire is disconnected and the tube is inserted;
  3. Insulation is made with electrical tape. Better - in two layers, with a “reserve”.

It should be taken into account that if the wiring is located outdoors or in a room with low temperatures, then it is better to use tape with a fabric backing. PVC tape cracks at low temperatures.