Wrapping Electrical Tape Around Outlet

2 there is no real benefit to wrapping receptacles in electrical tape unless the receptacle is to be energized while not secured to the junction box such as during construction.

Wrapping electrical tape around outlet. It is not necessary to wrap electrictial tape around the outlet to cover the screws. That s right by wrapping the tape you re introducing a flammable material to the inside of the box effectively defeating the entire reason for the box in the first place. When he installs outlets and switches he finishes by wrapping electrical tape once or twice around the outlet to cover the screws where the wires connect. Do any of you wrap outlets and switches with tape.

He used to be supervisor of elect inspectors in a large city in my area and is down right pain in the a about code and even beyond code so if he does it i can t imagine it is not something you shouldn t do. Some electricians when troubleshooting with the power on will tape around the connection screw to. Some of the outlets are loose so i m going to go around retighten them and wanted to know if i should wrap them as well. Duplex receptacles range receptacles dryer receptacles light switches and many other devices all use screw terminals.

Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task. Electrical tape will only melt or burn if there is a fault or if exposed to a constant heat source. Lastly regarding wrapping tape around the outlet there s a reason electricians don t do it it s flammable. Most of the electrical devices that you will install will have screw terminals.

I recently had an electrician in my house replacing all my outlet from 2 pronged outlets to 3 pronged grounded outlets. When installing duplex recepticals normally power should be off. Wrapping outlets with tape my step dad is a master spark and he wraps before shoving them in the box. There is a right way and a wrong way to wrap an electrical wire around a screw terminal.

I noticed that he never wrapped the outlets with electrical tape nor did he really tighten them into the box.