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So I figured this would make a good discussion. I've been re-wiring my garage and installing a ton of outlets. This brings the question. Do you tape the outside of the outlet before you install it?
I don't. I make good solid connections that won't come loose or short out in the box. Do you?
I do tape outlets/switches before installing them. A couple of electrician freinds and friends who are maintenance mechanics turned me on to the practice. While it only provides a small amount of protection, it's still a level of protection.
Plus when the fool you sell the house to, puts his screwdriver into the box to pry out the switch or outlet, he just might not kill himself...
Last edited by NJF350SD; Nov 20, 2007 at 02:41 PM.
Reason: typo
I've never heard of this practice, and I'm curious as to how you would do it.
My neighbor is an electrician, and I've worked with other electricians, but I've have never heard of it.
I've also never seen it in any electrical information.
Also, I'm not sure what the point is. Electrical boxes are reasonably safe if you're a reasonable person -- from the standpoint of working on them. They're VERY safe if you're just using them.
I've never heard of this practice, and I'm curious as to how you would do it.
My neighbor is an electrician, and I've worked with other electricians, but I've have never heard of it.
I've also never seen it in any electrical information.
Also, I'm not sure what the point is. Electrical boxes are reasonably safe if you're a reasonable person -- from the standpoint of working on them. They're VERY safe if you're just using them.
My garage had the basic installation done by electricians and inspected and the additional outlets were done by a lic electrician and neither one of them taped the outlets. I do make sure that when I put my own outlets in that I use the screws instead of the push in connections. The electricians I know all don't trust them.
Vinyl taping the receptacle screws is not a common practice done by all electricians, and the tape is not meant to help hold the conductor under the device screw. A properly torqued solid copper conductor with a pre formed eyelet hook that is placed under the device screw in a clockwise direction, assures the integrity of the mechanical connection.. The use of tongue spade compression terminals or approved stranded wire connection devices ,assures the proper stranded wire terminations.
Device screw taping will be found more on commercial/industrial applications where metal boxes are used. Residential properties use plastic or fiberglass boxes which are non- conductive so, taping will not be found as often. ...
Contrary to safe working practices, as we all know on here that are licensed electricians, there are times when a commercial/industrial electrician will have to remove a receptacle/replace a device while the power is still on. The tape reduces the likelyhood of it shorting out on the sides of the metal plaster extension ring/box walls, as the device is being installed or removed later.
Last edited by Greg 79 f150; Nov 21, 2007 at 03:38 AM.
My garage had the basic installation done by electricians and inspected and the additional outlets were done by a lic electrician and neither one of them taped the outlets. I do make sure that when I put my own outlets in that I use the screws instead of the push in connections. The electricians I know all don't trust them.
True enough - and tighten those screws firmly. I don't tape the outlets, however I do usually tape wire nuts, especially where the box is subject to vibration.
IMO, a properly done wire nut will not come off. When using more than 2 conductors one should pre-twist with a set of linesmans pliers and snip off any excess. Then twist the wirenut on until you start twisting the wires together. Then it is done right.
Last edited by MisterCMK; Nov 21, 2007 at 08:31 AM.
With all due respect, I thought the intention of this thread was for personal opinions on the practice. If I knew that I/we were going to be belittled on the practice I wouldn't have replied.
IMO, a properly done wire nut will not come off. When using more than 2 conductors one should pre-twist with a set of linesmans pliers and snip off any excess. Then twist the wirenut on until you start twisting the wires together. Then it is done right.
Even "done right" they can come loose. Not all connections are a pair of solid copper to be "twisted and snipped". Some are stranded, stranded & solid, different sizes, etc. Vibration can loosen them. Vibration is one of the reasons safety wire, loctite & lockwashers, cotter pins & keepers were invented. JMHO, tape or not as desired.
With all due respect, I thought the intention of this thread was for personal opinions on the practice. If I knew that I/we were going to be belittled on the practice I wouldn't have replied.
They were not belittling your taping practice NJ, its all good. The O.T. question was posted a bit confusing, which caused two topics to arise so, now there are replies going on related to two wiring practices.
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