Most of us do not know that electrical tape can be used for numerous purposes. Vinyl tape is different from other types of tapes because it has many non-traditional uses. You will find this tape useful even if you are not an electrician. In this post, we will discuss some uses for electrical tape.
The Many Uses for Electrical Tape
Electronic application
Electricians connect wires by twisting them. They use electrical tape to cover the twisted points. As a result, the connections become more stable and reliable. You can write on the glossy back of electrical tapes. Thus you can label fuse boxes. You can reduce the risk of electrocution by preventing the flow of current.
You can also use electrical tape to separate cold wires from hot wires. As a result, short circuits can not happen. These are the usual uses for electrical tape. But, as we will see now, there are many more uses.
Insulation
You can use electrical tape as an insulator because it lasts pretty long. It acts as an excellent insulator, protecting components, circuitry, and people. Electrical tape is also heat-resistant, and it is fireproof to some extent.
Most brands of electrical tapes have some insulating properties. Yet, you should choose one that has been rated and tested by authorities. Before you buy, make sure that the tape is made from high-quality vinyl.
Sports
You can also use electrical tape in sports. It can be used on hockey sticks to protect them from moisture buildup. In other words, electrical tape can make hockey sticks more durable. If you are a football player and you want to keep your shin guards in place, you can use electrical tape.
Table tennis or badminton players can also use electrical tape to racket handles. It provides additional cushioning and better grip. This tape is also used by rugby players.
Home decoration
You will be happy to learn that electrical tape can also be used for home decoration. If the walls of your house are too shabby to be painted or wallpapered, you can use electrical tape to make temporary designs or stripes on the walls. This is one of the most interesting but unconventional uses for electrical tape.
In fact, there are electrical tapes specially designed for this purpose. They come in different colors. You can use this tape to beautify your kid’s chair. With electrical tape, you can also create designs on your side tables, lampshade, and mirror.
Labeling
Electrical tapes come in many different colors, and that is why you can use these tapes for labeling your personal stuff. They are glossy, and this is another reason why you can use them as labels.
Use tapes of different colors to label your envelopes, switches, cabinets, and kitchen. Electrical tapes can even be used to color-code your cups at a party. This is not one of the conventional uses for electrical tape, but the idea can be useful. Color coding will make it easy for you to identify things.
Music
Musicians know well that electrical tape can be used to wrap drumsticks. It prevents slippage, splinters, blisters, and breakage. Thus it makes drumsticks more durable. If you are a guitarist, you can use electrical tape in a very creative way. Tape your fingers with electrical tape to keep blisters at bay.
Camping
Electrical tape is tough but flexible, and that is part of the reason why outdoor enthusiasts find it so useful. If your hiking boot has a hole in it, you can use electrical tape to resolve this issue. You can make a clothesline with paper clips and electrical tapes. If you find a leak in your tent, yeah, you know what to do.
Temporary repairs
If your car has a mishap, you can use electrical tape to reduce your suffering. If the side view mirror or taillight is busted, you can temporarily fix it with electric tape. A few strips will keep things okay until your car gets repaired.
You can also repair some other personal things with this tape. Electrical tape can be used for short-term repairs. This tape is elastic and durable enough to do the job. This is one of the uses of electrical tape.
Theater productions
Theater producers often use electrical tapes as markers. During rehearsals, performers just look at the markers and know where they should stand. As a result, they can be sure of their positioning. To mark positions, they use colored tapes.
A stage has lighting and sound systems, and they require a lot of wires. Colored tapes help performers avoid tipping off, and keep them secure. This is an amazing, and relatively less known use of electrical tape.
Scoop scraper
Electrical tape can also be used as a scoop scraper. First, the sticky side of a piece of tape should be attached to another large piece of tape. Then the tape can be placed on the container top. The container can contain cocoa or something else. Thus you can avoid cocoa overload when you scoop next time.
Warning sign
If there is a cord on your floor, you can tape down the cord as a warning sign so that nobody ends up stepping on it. In some cases, this simple act can prevent accidents. Here is another great idea: use a few tapes of different colors and try to make the design visually appealing.
You can use red tape to tape down the cord on the floor. This is not a highly creative or innovative thing to do, but it can be pretty useful if there are pets and small children in your home.
Alternatives to electrical tape
A few alternatives are available on the market, and the most popular ones are heat-shrink tubing and wire connectors. There are also insulated plastic caps known as wire nuts. It should be noted here that all these alternatives to electrical tape are meant for being used in electrical projects.
You will find heat shrinks on electrical components and wires. But they are not normally used in industrial or household applications. There are some other alternatives to electrical tape but they do not have enough insulation or thermal properties.
Electrical tape can be used for many different purposes, but the alternatives to electrical tape can not be used for so many purposes.
Electrical tape or duct tape
There are some differences between the electrical tape and duct tape. Yes, you can use duct tape for many purposes, but making an informed decision will be easier for you if you know the differences between these two types of tapes. Here they are:
Duct tape is a hybrid sticky tape, and it is pressure-sensitive. It is made from a cloth backing. This type of tape is designed in such a way that it can adhere well to a wide surface. It provides moisture resistance to some extent, but it is not waterproof. You will be able to use duct tape creatively if you are familiar with different uses for electrical tape.
Duct tape provides protection to some extent, but it should not be used as an insulating material. It does not provide enough protection against the current. Electrical tape provides better insulation because it is made of vinyl. If you heat duct tape to a certain extent, it will remain inflammable. Duct tape is far less durable than electrical tape. In adverse conditions, it degrades quickly.
Overview- Many uses for Electrical Tape
Electrical tape is one of the items that you must have in your home. You may have to deal with electrical trouble at any time, and this tape will help you resolve the issue. However, many types of electrical tape are available on the market. Make sure you use high-quality tape so that your family’s safety is not compromised.
The tape you choose should be properly tested and rated for its performance. When purchasing electrical tape, you should pay attention to key attributes such as ingredients, colors, and sizes. Once you have used the tape for your electrical purposes, do not throw it away into the dustbin, as the tape can be used for a lot of other purposes.
If you are a bit creative, you can use the tape for labeling stuff, temporary fixes stylizing home, and a host of other purposes. Electrical tapes come in a lot of colors, and that means you can unleash your creativity. If you are a bit creative, you will be able to make visually appealing things.
You can conveniently use electrical tape for prolonging the life of sports equipment. This is one of the amazing uses for electrical tape. As we have mentioned earlier, the tape is widely used in the theater world. The bottom line is, electrical tape has a lot of non-electrical uses.
