Electrical Insulating tape

[ban-all-sheds]

In the context of the connections talked about previously, BS 7671 applies.

And physical properties are irrelevant - BS 7671 requires that a tool be needed to remove it.

 

[JohnW2]

As far as I am aware, the requirement for use of a tool relates to ' barriers or enclosures' which exist to prevent contact with live parts behind the barrier or within the enclosure. Is there also a regulation requiring that 'basic insulation' must be removable with use of a tool? If so, does that mean that, for example, 'clip on' insulating 'covers' protection busbars or terminals in CUs/DBs/Switchgear etc. do not qualify as basic insulation?

 

[SimonH2]

And physical properties are irrelevant - BS 7671 requires that a tool be needed to remove it.

You've obviously never come across the tape that can't be removed without a sharp knife

 

[john4703]

No, I don't, as heatshrink requires a tool to remove it.

self amalgamating insulation tape needs a tool to remove it

 

[ban-all-sheds]

People are talking about this sort of stuff, not self-amalgamating.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Let's take a step back.

To all those advocating the use of "insulating tape", to what are you applying it, and why?

 

[winston1]

I have even seen the MIs for a DI light fitting specifically instruct to use "several layers of insulation tape" over the terminal block (aka choc block) used for the terminations.

Manufacturers instructions are guidance only and don't have to be followed, especially when they are wrong as is clearly the case here.

 

[SUNRAY]

self amalgamating insulation tape needs a tool to remove it

Does it? What tool would that be? I usually just keep pulling at it.

heatshrink requires a tool to remove it.

Does it? What tool would that be? I usually rip it open with my thumbnail.

 

[JohnW2]

Does it? What tool would that be? I usually just keep pulling at it. ... Does it? What tool would that be? I usually rip it open with my thumbnail.

As I said, I'm not convinced that there is a requirement for the use of a tool in the case of basic insulation' (although there is for 'barriers and enclosures').

However, even if there is, I think one would have to apply some common sense. You say that you can rip heatshrink open with your thumbnail, and I'm sure that it would sometimes be possible to remove insulation around conductors or other things with fingernails and/or teeth, yet I don't think anyone would suggest that the insulation around conductors in cables etc. do not qualify as basic insulation for that reason.

Kind Regards, John

 

[SimonH2]

And physical properties are irrelevant - BS 7671 requires that a tool be needed to remove it.

Even when it's enclosed within an enclosure that requires a tool to open it ?

Manufacturers instructions are guidance only and don't have to be followed, especially when they are wrong as is clearly the case here.

Even when the terminals are enclosed within an enclosure that requires a tool to open it ?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Let's take a step back.

To all those advocating the use of "insulating tape", to what are you applying it, and why?

 

[JohnW2]

Even when it's enclosed within an enclosure that requires a tool to open it ? ... Even when the terminals are enclosed within an enclosure that requires a tool to open it ?

If the enclosure is made of 'reinforced insulation' (whatever that may be), there is not a requirement for any insulation on live parts that it contains - so, in such a case, PVC tape (or anything else) would not only be 'permissible', but not actually 'necessary'.

Kind Regards, John

 

[SUNRAY]

Let's take a step back.

To all those advocating the use of "insulating tape", to what are you applying it, and why?

Let's take a step back bas.

Where would you advocate the use of heatshrink where "insulating tape" would not be suitable?
There are tapes out there with better specs than some heatshrink, but if I read your messages properly you would happily use any old bit of heatshrink but a high quality tape with quotable spec would be a big no-no. Why?

And yes I have used a bigger font than you. I have no idea why you wanted to go bold in the first place but I thought I'd play your game.

 

[crystal ball]

Insulating tape was good enough to hold down a dead mans switch on a suicide vest in Bodyguard, I don't think I would trust the stuff from screwfix

 

[SUNRAY]

Insulating tape was good enough to hold down a dead mans switch on a suicide vest in Bodyguard, I don't think I would trust the stuff from screwfix

I agree. But some members on here think that is the quality of tape available.