Shared Knowledge
“Liquid Electrical Tape -
User Review”
21 Feb 2009
Summary: if you do wiring of any kind, you need liquid electrical tape. Applied with a brush out of a can, this stuff forms a tight electrical seal around wires and is ever so much better than normal, black, electrical tape in many situations.
Whenever I go to a hardware store, it is usually for a specific item. However, while I am in the store, I always look about at all the various fasteners, bolts, screws, rope, whatever and make a mental note of it as on my next project I might need something that is readily available.
Recently
I went hardware shopping for some electrical supplies I needed to complete the
wiring of a neighbor’s gazebo outlet and ceiling fan. Being an electrical
engineer, I thought I knew just about all the various hardware there was to be
had in the realm of electric but this time, I came across a can
of “liquid electrical tape.” What? Liquid electrical tape? Now that would be
useful in some applications as at times, putting regular electrical tape on
junctions has been difficult or almost impossible because of space limitations.
If this stuff, this liquid, worked, then it would be perfect for tight spaces.
And so, I bought a can.
And
it works great. I have already used it several times. Specifically, I have used
it outside where normal electrical tape seems to always deteriorate or come
loose no matter what I do and the liquid electrical tape forms a nice sealed,
flexible coat over the electrical junction. There is no voltage rating on the
can I have, so I assume it is good up to at least 120VAC.
The
other places I have used it is where normal electrical tape would be too bulky
or hard to put into place. For example, when I solder on wires to an LCD cool
compact florescent lamp (CCFL), the electrical ends of the CCFL must be
insulated from the surrounding LCD metal frame. Normal electrical tape is
impossible to use and although I have tried various contact cements as an
insulator, the liquid electrical tape is significantly better.
If you do electrical wiring, get yourself a can. No, it will not completely replace your need for normal electrical tape, but it will come in handy now and again.
22 Feb 2009 Update For whatever reason (gets old or gets air in can or gets cold being in unheated garage) stuff can get too thick to use BUT not really. Boil up a pan of water and once off the stove, place the electrical tape metal container in the water and let it sit for 5 minutes or so. Remove can carefully as to not burn yourself, open can and stir. Liquid may not be liquid enough yet and if not, back in the hot water.
Click here for more home electrical wiring