Insulation of wires with various materials. How to insulate wires - materials and application features How to make electrical tape

How to insulate wires so that the contact connection serves you as long as possible, and the insulation resistance in this place is equivalent to the “native” insulation of the cable or wire?

This is especially important if we remember the fact that more than 90% of all damage to cable and wire products, and indeed electrical equipment, occur at the site of contact connections. That is why the closest attention should be paid to the application of high-quality and correctly executed insulation.

But before we look at the types of insulating materials and how they are used, let's dwell on. After all, the type of insulating material largely depends on this factor.

• Most often in everyday life we ​​are faced with the need to connect several wires. But connection is different from connection. After all, according to the rules of the PUE, wires can be connected by welding, soldering, pressing and bolted connection. Please note that the popular method of twisting wires is not on this list. And this is no coincidence. After all, twisting wires does not guarantee the quality of connections and its reliability during operation.

Types of insulating materials and their scope of application

We've decided on the contact connections - now let's figure out how to insulate the wires? For household use Usually there are two options - insulating tape or heat shrink. But each of these materials has a lot of varieties and areas of application. So let's look at them in more detail.

Insulation tape

Let's start with the most common and time-tested material - insulating tape. This material is applied to the conductor by winding it around the conductive part. But the properties of this product depend on the material of manufacture. And there are not so few of them.

So:

• The most common option is PVC electrical tape. It is made of polyvinyl chloride film, on the surface of which a special adhesive composition is applied. This solution should provide good adhesion tapes with most types of materials.
• In our country, PVC electrical tape with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.2 mm is produced. The composition of the adhesive solution and the base of the sleeve also differ. Besides, in Lately The color range of such electrical tape, which in Soviet times was only blue, has also expanded.
• This material can be used to insulate any type of connection. The insulation resistance of such electrical tape, according to standards, is tested at a voltage of 1000V.

In electrical engineering, it is often necessary to mark or insulate a piece of cable, strengthen wire connections, protect elements from moisture, and so on. This is a simple matter. Enough to have insulating tape, wind it in Right place and you're done. But as usually happens, you have to write about such simple things in great detail, since both beginners and fairly experienced electricians make a lot of mistakes.

This article will look at two methods of insulating wires using vinyl insulating tape and heat shrink tubing. You will learn how to do it right and wrong, what tools are needed and some “company secrets”.

When is insulation needed?

• Wire color code. Sometimes you don't have the color of wire you need on hand. No problem - all you need is electrical tape or a thermocouple the right color and use it to indicate proper cable functionality at both ends.
• Cable insulation - during electrical installation work accidental damage to the wire insulation may occur. Usually they do not replace the entire wire, but put a patch on it.
• The housing may touch not only cable insulation, but also connectors that do not have their own insulation, or, for example, need to be protected from mechanical damage and moisture.
• Strengthening connections - sometimes the outer sheath of the power cord of a device is damaged or frayed. Then such a cable hangs on two or three wires without a protective layer. It’s only a matter of time before a complete breakdown occurs. There are also two options here: replace the power cord or try to strengthen it at the site of damage.
• It happens that because large quantity devices or cables, there is a bundle of wires in a certain area. They can be laid in the cable, secured with cable ties, covered with a frame or, if it is a short section, they should be wrapped with a heat shrink sleeve.

Vinyl insulation tape

This item should always be in every electrician's drawer. And preferably several skeins per different colors: blue (for mass), yellow-green (protection) and phase (brown, black, gray, red). With this set, the marking of the ends of the wires will be functional by color.

What is important when choosing electrical tape?

• Color- this has already been said
• Width- if you don’t have any special preferences, you can take standard size 19 mm.
• Length- the longer it is, the better
• Stickiness is a factor that also needs to be taken into account. Unfortunately, every manufacturer describes that the adhesiveness is great and the tape will last until the end of the world. It can be assumed that the cheaper the tape, the worse the adhesiveness. So when buying branded insulating tape in electrical store, most likely it will be of high quality.

How to properly insulate with electrical tape

Suppose you need to isolate fragmented insulation. You don't need to wrap the entire section at once; apply the tape to the cable insulation next to the damaged part of the insulation onto the undamaged section. But before you do this, make sure that the cord is not dusty, damp or dirty (the glue cannot stick in this case).

Consistently moving the insulating tape towards the damage and slightly pulling, wind the tape until you reach the undamaged wire insulation on the other side of the damage.

If the tape is much wider than the frayed area, simply wrap it 3 times in one place so that the damage is in the center.

Insulating tape can be cut efficiently using side cutters, but this is not always possible or affordable.

You can do without tools at all and firmly grasp the selected area on both sides of the area, stretch the electrical tape and eventually tear it. Of course, the edge of a torn ribbon will not be very beautiful, but in many cases it will do.

It is important that the breaks occur quickly. By slowly stretching the tape until it breaks, we will reach the point where the tape will be greatly stretched and even more damaged.

Incorrect use of electrical tape

Error 1 - lack of tension

During winding, the electrical tape does not stretch, which means it does not stick to the insulated material.

Mistake #2 - Winding Back and Forth

Winding once in one direction and then in another can lead to deformations as in the previous case.

Mistake #3: Taking the easy route

This is clearly shown in the picture. This option can be tempting when there are a lot of wires and little space. But the small contact surface of the tape with the cable is the basis for disconnection in a very short time and exposure of the bare wire. This has especially great importance in wires with a small cross-section. This method can be used to temporarily mark wires, but not for permanent insulation.

Heat-shrink tubing

Instead of insulating tape, in many electrical work you can and should use heat shrink tubing. What are the differences between these insulation solutions?

• Heat shrink is usually a more durable, aesthetically pleasing and durable solution.
• To “attach” it to a wire or other element, you need to heat the tube.
• Heat shrink is not universal, its size must be adapted to the insulated element.
• Unlike insulating tape, heat shrink tubing is rigid and non-removable

What is important when choosing heat shrink

1. Size. One of them is the diameter of the hole before heating. And second - minimum diameter holes after heating. The tube will not shrink indefinitely. Therefore, the tube must not only fit onto the cable before insulation, but also be pressed against the wire or connector after heating.
2. If you want to use a cable marking tube, its color is important.
3. Non-flammability. This parameter should also be of interest, especially when we intend to use a lighter to heat the heat shrink tube.

Heat shrink tubing can be purchased in long sections (usually 1m), but you can also buy a set of several short pieces of different colored heat shrink in one package.

How to properly insulate with heat shrink

First of all, we need a heat source:

• Matches- last resort. Only if the element is small and easily accessible. In addition, you will breathe in sulfur and harmful emissions.
• Lighter— for easily accessible items, you can take it, but be careful! So the wire insulation can be completely burned.
• Hot air gun- the best, but also the most expensive solution. Unlike open fire sources, the ability to direct heat from any angle is preferable, as it will be very difficult to damage the wire. It is best to have a heat gun with adjustable heating temperature to adapt to different occasions.
  You can try a regular home hair dryer, but this is already a perversion.

Insulating the heat tube with a lighter

First, cut the heat shrink tube corresponding to the cable diameter according to the table. It should be slightly longer than the damage, so as to capture the wire insulation on both sides by a few millimeters.

We place a piece on the cable at the damage site and heat the heat shrink tube until it clamps the cable insulation. If the cord or element is thick, you will have to rotate it so that the heat reaches the tube from all sides.

Attention! The flame should be kept away from the wire. It's worth practicing before you start the real work.

Standard insulation is designed for maximum temperature 70C. Even if the flame does not destroy the insulation, it may catch fire or begin to smolder, especially when working for a long time.

Heat gun for insulation

We can say that such a hair dryer (also called heat gun) is a slightly more powerful hair dryer (just kidding). He creates air flow with adjustable temperature from several tens to several hundred degrees.

If the heat gun has a temperature adjustment, start with a lower setting, it may take longer for the heat shrink to react, but this will safely reach the optimal temperature setting. If your heat gun doesn't have this setting, start blowing from a distance. If you notice that the heat shrink is unevenly distributed along the cord, you can rotate it around to warm the tube on each side.

Attention! When directing the air flow to the object, be careful, the heat gun can blow air of about 500C. Sometimes after such work with wires in the installation box, the paint begins to peel off the wall!

If you use heat shrink tubing for insulation solder connection, do not overheat it for a long time.

Mistakes when using heat shrink

Mistake #1 - overheating

You need to be careful not to touch the wire with the flame, so as not to ignite it. Also, do not burn yourself or damage surrounding objects.

Mistake #2 - Wrong Size

It happens that after shrinking, the diameter of the tube is still too large, and the section does not stick to the element being insulated. This can be corrected by trying to stretch the tube while it is still warm. When we have a thicker connector and a relatively thin tube - don't try to stretch the owl onto the globe, it's better to just use the correct size heat shrink.

Summarize

Now you have learned how to properly use insulating tapes and heat-shrinkable tubing, what mistakes you can make and their consequences. What tools are needed to isolate an object. We are sure that the article has added something to your knowledge base in the field of electrical engineering. If anything is not clear, ask in the comments below.

Use colored tape when you are labeling something according to the system or when you are labeling boxes when moving. Unlike stickers, it will not come off, tear or fail.

2. Repair the binding

When the binding is frayed or the cover is torn, and the book is still readable and readable, cover the damage with wide electrical tape. Attach the electrical tape to the entire spine at once, secure it at the edges, or even wrap the entire cover with strips of adhesive strong tape.

3. Create a neckline

Electrical tape is the secret to a seductive neckline and generally revealing outfits. Yes, we are talking about Kim Kardashian and her bra made of duct tape (it doesn’t hold up that well, it falls off).

4. Protect surfaces when painting

When you paint something and it is very important that drops of paint do not fall down and spoil some part (plinth, canopy, window sill), simply cover this part with electrical tape. Then remove it along with the paint.

5. Make airtight packaging

Any package becomes airtight if you have electrical tape. Just additionally seal all seams and joints with it.

6. Fix your tent

Not in the world best material For quick repair tents than duct tape. In the place where the patch is, the camp house will be stronger than in all the others.

You should also put duct tape in your backpack if you are going on a kayaking or cycling trip. As a temporary measure to seal a tire or boat, it's just right.

Electrical tape generally works anywhere and everywhere. Duct tape is a gift from the gods and should be worshiped.

Andy Weir, The Martian.

Electrical tape will even help you hide from: if you wrap it around your legs where your pants end and socks begin, then ticks will have no chance of getting under your clothes.

7. Make a bottle cap

Another reason to always carry at least a small roll of duct tape in your bag. You have a water bottle but no cap. Wrap the duct tape tightly around your throat, and then you can survive without a lid.

8. Make a strap

When you need to carry a box or some kind of cargo that does not fit into a bag or package, and dragging it in your hands is inconvenient, wrap it with electrical tape and make straps and handles out of it, like a bag. To do this, you need to fold the electrical tape in two layers, with the sticky surface inward, and make a loop. required length. The electrical tape is durable, can withstand heavy loads and does not slip. And if you use wide electrical tape, the strap will be comfortable and will not cut your arms and shoulders.

9. Organize a playground

For example, you are at home, you can’t go outside (rain, hail, flood), but your child needs to jump into hopscotch and draw on the floor railway or something like that. Make markings using electrical tape. The child will not slip on it, then you remove it, and the floor will remain intact. On carpet, duct tape will also work.

10. Secure the mat

Double-sided tape will hold the mat against front door or a path in the hallway so that no one accidentally slips on the carpet that has slipped away from under their feet. This is especially true when there are children at home.

11. Make a rope

In general, electrical tape turns into rope for anything. Two layers stuck together are strong enough to hang clothes on. And if you make a braid out of three such ropes, it will withstand heavy loads. It can be useful in any situation at all.

12. Help the person

Electrical tape is the first choice. She has objects and people temporarily repaired. For example, electrical tape can be used to make a tourniquet, a pressure bandage, or a splint. And it will replace the patch in extreme situations. In addition, duct tape is indispensable if the lung is injured and you urgently need to apply a bandage that will not allow air into the chest.

They also use electrical tape to remove splinters. Only for this it is necessary that the splinter does not completely go under the skin.

13. Decorate the room

Any electrical tape is a material for creativity. Black tape that sticks tightly to all surfaces is a designer's dream. She can draw almost anything on the walls.

14. Avoid the cold

Insulating tape also protects against cold air. If you get cold in an extreme situation, wrap yourself with electrical tape over your clothes. This way you will retain heat near your body and not let it go cold air inside.

15. Mark the road

If you are walking an unfamiliar route far from civilization, mark the path with two strips of colored electrical tape. When you return, take off one strip at a time so as not to get lost or walk in circles.

After you connect the bare wires by twisting or soldering, you need to properly insulate the junction. Today, there are several main ways to insulate conductors - using electrical tape, heat shrink, or even special PPE caps. Next, we will tell readers how to insulate wires in a wall, under water and even underground.

Precautionary measures

First, let's talk about what rules you need to follow when insulating cores with your own hands. Firstly, it is strictly forbidden to insulate live wires. You must definitely turn off at the distribution panel. Secondly, to protect the connection point, it is necessary to use only materials that comply with GOST standards for insulation and shells. In simple words- do not use plastic bags, tapes and other rubbish. For example, for everyone’s favorite PVC insulating tape there is GOST 16214-86, which it must comply with, and specifications based on it.

We strongly advise against using adhesive tape as insulation, because... this material does not have sufficient insulating properties. Now we will look at how to properly insulate wires at home, and will also provide you with the most reliable insulating materials.

Overview of insulating materials

Today, to insulate bare conductors, it is recommended to use materials such as:

So we have provided the most reliable and popular among electricians insulating materials. Next, we will tell you how to properly insulate exposed contacts with electrical tape, heat shrink and special caps.

By the way, the EKF company produces both non-flammable PVC electrical tape and one based on cotton fiber, so you can choose suitable option under your own conditions. It is important to note that PVC electrical tape is available in 7 colors, this allows it to be used for color coding wires There is a choice of professional electrical tape (class A: wide, with a thicker base) and for general household purposes (class B: narrower and thinner). You can find out more about the products here: https://ekfgroup.com/catalog/izdeliya-dlya-elektromontazha/izolenta.

Instructions for using insulators

Well, here we come to the main issue of the article - do-it-yourself wire insulation technology. Since there are several materials, we will dwell on each and tell you how to insulate bare conductors yourself.

If you are using electrical tape, first you need. If the wires are multi-wire, it is recommended to additionally solder them for a more reliable connection. Next, the twist is bent to one side, as shown in the photo, after which the electrical tape is wound onto the bare area in at least 2 layers. This technique is often used in apartments, even experienced electricians. Insulating tape can be used when connecting conductors in distribution box, chandelier, when moving an outlet and even under plaster if the connection point is in the installation box. We talked about this in a separate article.

It is also not difficult to insulate bare wires with heat shrink. The main thing to remember important nuance– the tube must be placed on one of the conductors before they are spliced. After soldering or twisting, you will not be able to put on a cambric (it is also called that). When the contacts are connected, the tube must be pulled over the bare joint and then heated construction hairdryer. We described in detail how to use heat shrink in a separate article:.

If a hairdryer is not at hand, heating with a regular lighter is allowed, the main thing is to make sure that the heat shrink is tightly sealed on the cable. It is recommended to use the tube HERE when the conductor is immersed in water (for example, if the power cable on the deep well pump). In addition, heat shrink is used when it is necessary to connect underground wiring. It is also recommended to insulate the wires with this material in the bathroom, wooden house, bathhouse or outdoors to reliably protect the connection point from water.

PPE caps are best used when installing electrical wiring in a house or apartment. PPE is compact and allows you to quickly insulate the twist. All you need to do is screw the cap onto the wires until it stops, as shown in the photo below.

If you need to protect the twist thin wires, for example, in headphones, it is not advisable to use electrical tape, because it will not fit tightly. In this case, you can do without electrical tape by using regular superglue. All you need to do is carefully drop glue onto the exposed area of ​​the small conductors. In a 220 Volt power supply, this method is not recommended, because glue, exactly like silicone sealant, will quickly fall off. By the way, you should also not insulate the cores with a glue gun, for a similar reason.

For additional insulation of the cable from a rabbit, cat or puppy in the house (pets love to chew wires), it is recommended to use tin foil. Read about other methods in the corresponding article!

So we have provided all the existing methods of insulating bare wires with our own hands. As you can see, insulating a wire yourself under water, in a wall and in the ground is not so difficult, the main thing is to choose the right insulation material. Finally, we recommend that you wet areas and on outdoors additionally protect the electrical wiring with corrugation, which will further protect the connection point so that water does not get on the exposed contacts.

Video review existing methods isolation

Which is better: heat shrink or electrical tape?

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Electrical tape is familiar to almost every person, because it is indispensable consumables. This special material finds wide application for domestic, construction and industrial purposes. Its main purpose is to insulate connections of various cables and wires when performing engineering work. It is used to repair various mechanisms and assemblies. It protects against exposure external factors– ultraviolet radiation, dampness, and so on. Insulating tape also finds non-standard uses.

Kinds

The industry offers a wide variety of insulating tape. Depending on the base material used, their varieties are distinguished.

• Mica tapes. Used for electrical insulation windings power cables And different products. They are distinguished by their fire resistance and resistance to temperature changes.

• Fiberglass tapes. They are distinguished by high heat resistance and perfectly absorb various varnishes and resins. Even at temperatures up to 200 degrees they retain their performance characteristics.

• Epoxy based tapes, are distinguished by excellent heat resistance.
• Tapes that have fiberglass in their structure, are distinguished by tensile strength and low elongation.

• Insulating tapes based on acetate fabric. Able to withstand heat up to one hundred degrees, they perfectly absorb varnishes and resins. Similar tapes are widely used in transformer coils.

• Paper based tapes. Used when it is necessary to create a shock absorption effect. They are distinguished by their strength and resistance to directed impacts.

• PVC electrical tape. It is an excellent dielectric and has high strength characteristics. It can stretch up to 100-150 percent.

• HB electrical tape. Made from cotton fabric with glue applied to it. The tape is used only for non-aggressive environments. Its operating temperature does not exceed 30 degrees.

• Tapes based on polyester film They are distinguished by their small thickness, but they are quite durable. They exhibit wear resistance and resistance to aggressive chemicals.

Peculiarities

The market offers insulating tapes for professional and universal purposes. The main property of professional tapes is their pronounced specialization, that is, they are distinguished by a number of increased parameters that are necessary for a specific application. For example, the thickness or adhesive layer can be increased.

Universal tapes are manufactured for use in the most different areas. For example, to protect wires from exposure external environment, splicing, electrical insulation or color coding.

This versatility is due to its operating properties:

• Adhesion, that is, a parameter that determines the degree of adhesion. Adhesion depends on the type of glue and its thickness. In most cases, its thickness is within 15 microns. The adhesive determines the stickiness of the insulation tape. Different adhesive structures can be used: rubber or acrylic.
• Electric strength. This parameter indicates the level of voltage that the electrical tape can withstand. For universal insulating tape, the electrical strength is 36.7 kV/mm, which allows it to be used in electrical work.
• Elasticity, which is determined by the relative elongation. In universal tapes, elongation can reach up to 190 percent.
• Moisture resistance.
• Fire safety.
• Non-toxic.

In our country, PVC insulating tape is produced according to GOST 16214-86. It can be first or highest grade, but in any case it should not have bubbles, holes or other defects.

Application

Electrical tape has many useful properties owing to which this product is widely used.

• The tape is used for electrical insulation of wires in household and production conditions. This makes them safe and incapable of causing a short circuit.
• It is used for marking wires, including for assembling cables into bundles. For this purpose, ribbons of various colors are used.
• When repairing cars, the tape is used for repairing and laying electrical wiring.
• Insulating tape is used to insulate and connect pipes. It protects pipelines from moisture, corrosion and fungus. It is also used to seal joints and connect asbestos cords.
• For strengthening cables, including protecting cable sheaths.

Electrical tape in non-standard applications

• Some fashion designers use duct tape to decorate their models' naked bodies.
• Hockey enthusiasts often tape their sticks to increase the strength and durability of the stick's striking part.
• At concerts, microphones are often covered with electrical tape so that it is easy to identify which microphone is in the hands of the presenter or performer.
• Insulating tape is often used when repairing tubings, rubber boats and other products. It works well as a temporary patch before overhaul. This is due to the fact that the tape has good moisture resistance, elasticity and adhesiveness.

In our country, a variety of things are repaired and done using insulating tape. The main thing is the imagination of the person in whose hands it ended up.

How to choose

• The tape is produced in rolls that have a width ranging from 11-20 mm and a diameter starting from 85 mm. The thickness of the tape is not less than 0.11 mm. Therefore, electrical tape must be selected from a practical point of view. For example, for insulating thin wires it is recommended to use tape 11 mm wide, while for winding pipes it is advisable to use wider material.
• You should also pay attention to the length of the skein.
• Today, ribbons of a variety of colors are available for sale. Choose a tape of a color so that you can clearly mark the wire or, conversely, disguise the area being repaired.
• You should take a closer look at the appearance of the roll. Its surface should be smooth. Avoid buying tape that has gaps between turns or uneven turns.
• High quality electrical tape must have smooth surface, excellent stretch properties. If possible, you should smell the tape; it should not have a strong or unpleasant chemical odor.

Features of use and storage

• When using tape, it is important to know that you should not stick it to a greasy, dusty or damp surface. You should first prepare it by cleaning it from dirt and degreasing it. For more reliable fixation, you can apply a primer.
• When repairing electrical wiring, 2-3 layers should be wound to ensure the required level of electrical insulation.
• The insulating tape should be stored at a temperature of 5-40 degrees away from heating devices and radiators. Humidity should be less than 80%. From the moment of release, the tape is considered valid for 3 years, but when proper storage it will remain usable for up to ten years.
• Insulating tape may lose its performance when exposed to chemicals and solvents.