4 Things You Didn't Know About PVC Electrical Tape-In 2022

 

PVC is a fairly cheap and highly versatile material, which has made it a popular choice in the making of a wide variety of products. It's been used since the 50s to manufacture electrical tapes. But PVC electrical tape has also been subjected to quite a bit of criticism over the years as well. In this blog post, you're going to learn about 4 little-known facts about PVC Electrical Tape that will help you make the right decision for your cables and wires.

PVC electrical tape is malleable and sticky PVC tapes are used for a variety of purposes, but the primary use is insulating non-insulated connections in cables, such as those on appliances. All electrical tape has to be PVC and should be marked with a UL approval on the package indicating it meets industry standards.

PVC electrical tape is a must-have in every woodworking shop. It will repair sharp objects like exposed nails & screws from puncturing your electric hoses, and ensure that your exposed wiring is properly insulated. If used correctly PVC electrical tape will also prevent shocks from passing through to any wooden surfaces.

Why Is PVC Electrical Tape Safer?

Withstands Temperature Extremes: Traditional rubber tapes can become brittle at high temperatures or lose their adhesion at low temperatures. The PVC material of flexible PVC tapes resists these temperature extremes and maintains its flexibility over a wide range of temperatures - from -30F to 220F. This makes it a suitable choice for all applications in all types of environments.

Simple Storage: Traditional rubber tapes are somewhat fragile, and they do not store well without becoming brittle or losing their adhesive properties. The PVC material used in flexible PVC tapes cures when exposed to air which means that there is no curing time needed after being removed from the packaging. Also, it does not require storage in special conditions as rubber tapes do, so storage is much simpler.

4 Things You Didn't Know About PVC Electrical Tape

There are plenty of reasons to use PVC electrical tape instead of other types of tape. But what makes it so special?

1. It's flame-resistant

Flammability is always a concern when you're dealing with electricity. One spark in the wrong place, and you could end up burning your house down. To prevent this, PVC tape is treated with flame retardant chemicals during the manufacturing process. This reduces its flammability, which improves its safety in all applications that involve heat or electricity.

2. It's water-resistant

One common misconception about PVC tape is that it's waterproof. In reality, this is not the case; while PVC tape can withstand some moisture, it's not suitable for applications that will subject it to direct contact with water or prolonged exposure to humid conditions. However, if you are using it outdoors, it will hold up fine in light rain or snowfall.

3. It's heavy-duty.

The PVC in PVC electrical tape is polyvinyl chloride, a versatile plastic that's widely used in the construction industry thanks to its durability, weather resistance, and ease of manufacturing. PVC is used in everything from roofing to indoor and outdoor piping and drainage systems, which is why it's safe to use on electrical wires that may be exposed to the elements. PVC tape is also flame retardant, an important feature for any electrical device or cord.

4. Make an emergency flashlight

If you lose power and the batteries in your flashlight are dead, you can still light up the room by wrapping a piece of PVC electrical tape around one end of a regular flashlight and using it as a lantern.