Wrapping tape round choc blocks

[securespark]

Just a quick poll, really.

Many moons ago, under't 15th, I were learnt it were good practice to tape up blocks inside enclosures etc...

Now I tend not to. I have noticed others here occasionally recommend taping blocks up.

Do you do it or not? Why?

 

[Qedelec]

I dont, the reason is it is messy and serves no real purpose.

 

[Pensdown]

it is messy and serves no real purpose.

That's what my wife says about me

..and for the poll I agree.

 

[SeanT]

If a choc block needs taping up, it's because the wires haven't been stripped back and terminated neatly - this is consider not good in the first place - plus it's better to have access and visibility - the wires (in experience from the live events industry) can pull out and still appear to be connected because of the tape....

 

[Dartlec]

I agree, I'm on the no tape side, though the instructions for a John Lewis light I recently installed for a client stated that the terminal MUST be covered in tape...


Mind you, having seen several lights from there recently I can't say I'm impressed with the build quality of any of them

 

[lazygit]

Using insulating tape is classed as site applied insulation, therefor according to guidance note 3 it requires a 1500V flash test (or thereabouts)

 

[Spark123]

Using insulating tape is classed as site applied insulation, therefor according to guidance note 3 it requires a 1500V flash test (or thereabouts)

3750v AC rms for 1 min

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Using insulating tape is classed as site applied insulation

What if you call it "dust protection tape", or "spider barrier tape", not "insulating tape"?

 

[Dartlec]

What if you call it "....... "spider barrier tape".........

Then you carry out the well known 'spider test' where you apply a number of spiders for 5 minutes and then count the charred bodies.

I carry a box of spiders in the van for such occurrences, doesn't everyone?

 

[daytona]

it depends on the situation,two connector blocks in the back of a lightswitch.someone pops it off when its live,your not supposed to but hes just checking identification of conductors and cant be arrised to go downstairs and shut the power off for such a trivial thing.

said connector blocks are not taped up and sitting close to the lugs.in goes the screw,misses and ends up in the screw slot for the connector block and whack.tape would have prevented this.

electricians would spot the danger in a second.before we were electricians though,we were electricians apprentices.

 

[Dartlec]

The main problem I have with it is the 'fun' of trying to remove 10yo tape.

I've recently discovered the Ideal push fit connectors and they seem a much better solution for the light switch scenario, with the only drawback that changing them requires losing some length on the connector each time.

 

[partpdoctor]

it says in the good book that insulation shall be only "removable by destruction", so tape is effectively not insulation

 

[securespark]

"removable by destruction"

Well, that applies to 10 yo tape!!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I've recently discovered the Ideal push fit connectors and they seem a much better solution for the light switch scenario, with the only drawback that changing them requires losing some length on the connector each time.

Try crimping pin connectors onto the conductors when you first fit them - you might find that changing them then only requires losing the old push fit....