Multi-colored electrical tape: just for beauty or does each color have its own qualities and characteristics?

  • Dec 10, 2020
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We are all familiar with the good old blue duct tape. In addition, many have had to deal with electrical tape of black, red and other colors. I used to think that the color of the tape does not carry any functional load, but simply the manufacturers decided to add variety to their product.

It turned out that each color is suitable for different purposes. And which one for which - we'll talk in today's article.

Why is the electrical tape multicolored?

The answer to this question lies on the surface. Electricians use different colored tape to mark wires. White electrical tape is better than others for this purpose, since it is more convenient to write on it with a felt-tip pen or pen. In addition, the white color is noticeable in the total mass of wires, and therefore it will not be difficult to find the right one.

It is quite convenient and profitable to mark wires with this method. First, duct tape costs little money and can be purchased at any hardware or hardware store. In addition, this material is versatile. Suitable not only for marking, but also for insulating wires.
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Dark colors of electrical tape: black and blue

The classic type of electrical tape, with the help of which the wires that carry current are insulated. There is a black rag type tape, it has improved qualities. For example, it is more reliable. If you wrap the wire with such electrical tape, it will be protected from mechanical stress.

It is best to insulate the neutral wires with blue tape. If we turn to the PES, then it says that such wires are marked in a certain way and are indicated in blue (light blue) color. This is where blue duct tape comes into play!

It is not even necessary to completely wrap its connection. It is enough just to mark the wire with a few turns. Then it can be easily found in the junction box.

Insulating tape red

Another color of duct tape found on the market. It is recommended to mark the wires along which the phase passes. Those. it is customary to wrap the neutral conductor with a blue tape, and the phase conductor with red.

Of course, this is an unwritten rule. It is allowed to use electrical tape of any other color for these purposes, the main thing is not to be blue, otherwise there is a great risk in the future to confuse zero with phase.

The brightest duct tape: yellow-green

By elimination, one can conclude that tape of this color is used to mark ground wires and busbars. Bright striped tape is ideal for marking ground or neutral conductors.

I think, after reading the above information, you understand that manufacturers of electrical tape do not just paint their products in different colors. Experienced electricians know that each color is designed to mark a specific conductor.

I think that in the future this information may be useful to you, and therefore it is better to remember it:

  • blue color - neutral wire;
  • red - a conductor with a phase;
  • yellow-green color - ground.

If you have to install your own electrical wiring, be sure to stock up on different colors of insulating tape. In the future, under certain circumstances, this can greatly facilitate your life and save you a lot of time.)

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