Insulating electrical wires is one of the most common electrical installation jobs, both for professional electricians and home DIY enthusiasts. Electrical wires may require new insulation or repair of damaged insulation to prevent the flow of electric charge outside the conductive element, which protects against electric shock, among other things. Proper insulation of electrical wires. How to do it? We compared two leading methods, or rather two dielectrics: insulating tapes and heat shrink tubing.
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Insulation of electrical wires with electrical tape
Cables and wires whose insulation has been damaged can be secured in a very simple and inexpensive way using insulating tape, especially vinyl. Even a small piece of material can effectively eliminate a leak. A previously cleaned section of wiring should be wrapped gently with tensioned tape, using the appropriate number of layers - until effective protection is achieved.
It is recommended to wrap the wire in one direction to avoid deformation and ensure perfect adhesion of the material to the wire. Using insulating tape, you can also strengthen existing connections, ensure correct wire placement, mask the cable bundle and facilitate the identification of different types of wires. Insulating tapes available on the market differ in material composition, length, width and color.
Insulation of wires with heat shrink insulation
A more durable, stronger, safer and more aesthetic alternative to insulating tapes are heat shrink insulations . Heat shrink tubing (also known as heat shrink tubing, unwinding, foil or heat shrink) is installed by heating, preferably with a special heat gun. A part of the tubing is placed on the insulated element of the wire and a heat source is applied. The material then shrinks and tightens.
The wire is not exposed to direct fire, which increases the safety of the process. Heat shrink tubing varies in size, which should be matched to the parameters of the insulated wire. The insulation obtained using heat shrink tubing is characterized by high durability and solidity. This solution is used more for professional insulation of wires than for amateur work within the home installation.
It should be remembered that the final effect (including visual) is decisively influenced by the correct placement of the heat shrink tube on the cable, which requires skill and practice from the user. Otherwise, the wires may be incorrectly insulated, which is associated with an increased risk of electric shock, mechanical damage and contact with moisture.
What is the best way to insulate electrical cables? Electrical tape vs. heat shrink insulation
Heat shrink insulation is undoubtedly more popular among professionals. It is hard to imagine a qualified electrician insulating electrical wires at a customer's premises using electrical tape... Heat shrink tubing, due to the effect of temperature, ensures precise seating on the wire, which translates into effective, long-lasting and aesthetic protection.
However, using them correctly is relatively difficult. It requires knowledge of sizing, experience, and the possession of a heat gun and the ability to use it. Be careful not to overheat the pipe, as this can irreversibly damage both the insulating material and the protected wire. Vinyl insulating tapes are cheap and certainly easier to apply, which is particularly important in amateur work. When insulating wires with tape, care and precision should be exercised. It is also important to choose the tape of the right length and width. To choose the optimal method of insulating electrical wires, it is worth consulting an experienced electrician or asking for help from our technical and sales advisors.
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