3M Electrical Tape

Safely work with electrical installations by protecting, sealing, and marking wires and connections with a roll of 3M™ electrical tape. An electrical tape is a specialized pressure-sensitive tape for insulating conductive materials. It can also serve for grounding electrical installations, shielding wires from electromagnetic interference, and providing mechanical support. Staples® carries a wide selection of such electrical tapes made by 3M.

Find the Right 3M Electrical Tape for Your Installation
The three most common materials used for making this type of adhesive tapes are rubber, vinyl, and mastic. Rubber tapes excel at insulating and sealing exposed electrical connections. They make airtight seals that keep away moisture. This advantage makes them the right choice for splice insulation of wires near water pipes. Rubber tapes are also excellent for outdoor electrical installations and are suitable for low and high-voltage connections. 3M rubber tapes are strong, durable, and capable of withstanding temperatures as high as 266 degrees Fahrenheit.

Vinyl is another popular electrical tape material. Invented by 3M, vinyl tapes are just as strong as rubber ones and also very pliable. This means that they are flexible and can stretch to fully wrap around wires and properly seal connections. 3M vinyl electrical tapes are flame-retardant as well as moisture, tear, corrosion, and UV-resistant. The chief advantage of mastic tapes is their ability to insulate connections with odd shapes. Made of a pasty rubber-based material, mastic can insulate up to 600-volt connections. 3M offers its mastic tapes with rubber, vinyl, or no backing.

Consider Measurements and Color Coding When Shopping for 3M Electrical Tapes
3M supplies its electrical tapes in rolls and specifies their lengths, widths, and thicknesses. You should choose one that is wide enough to insulate and seal the electrical wires and points you want to protect. Measured in mils, thickness is an indication of tape strength. Thicker tapes provide greater mechanical support, last longer, and are tougher to cut than thinner ones. While black is their most common color, electrical tapes do come in other colors. These colors indicate the purpose of each tape. For example, black is for insulation and to mark low-voltage Phase A connections. Blue and red tapes serve the same purposes but mark Phases C and B connections respectively. Green tapes always wrap around grounding wires. This color-coding system helps those working on electrical installations to quickly get familiar with the different connections involved.

Are There Non-Adhesive 3M Electrical Tapes?
Yes. Some of the 3M varnished cambric tapes do not rely on adhesives to seal electrical connections. This varnish-coated woven cotton cloth can withstand temperatures up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose varnished cambric tapes when you need sturdy mechanical seals for electrical points. Woven cotton resists cuts and punctures better than other electrical tape materials.

Are Duct Tapes Good Substitutes for 3M Electric Tapes?
No. Electric tapes are better for insulating and sealing electrical connections. They have longer lasting adhesives and can resist high temperatures. When heated, duct tapes melt easily and can cause electrical fires.

What Are Conducting 3M Electric Tapes?
These tapes conduct electricity rather than block its flow. They are also for safeguarding electrical connections. However, they work by redirecting electricity to a safe area away from damaging industrial equipment. Conducting tapes are for grounding, draining static charges, and shielding sensitive equipment from electromagnetic interference.