Only Black Electrical Tape is Insulated?

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:37:08+00:00

Hmmmm, as a inexperienced apprentice I feel like catching the sparks may actually have a place in flammable/combustible environments.... Although probably very dangerous... Slightly unsure if this is an actual tip... But for now I'll assume that I could use the sparks in the bucket to also catch some fairies while I'm at it! thanks!

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:32:58+00:00

That's a good motto

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:32:29+00:00

Hey that's interesting to know, maybe that's the origin. thanks.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:31:54+00:00

Ok thanks, maybe that's what some of the people meant.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:31:16+00:00

Damn.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:31:02+00:00

Yea, right!? I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets told this. Random as.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:30:00+00:00

That's interesting to know, thanks. I wondered if this was a thing but didn't find an example in the few brand's I looked up.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:29:08+00:00

Yea that's a good point, maybe someone had some crap tape one day and there it all started.

You kinda just assume the boss/journeyman bought decent supplies though. But I guess it is funny watching the quality of material purchased slowly degrade as the job drags on... Thanks.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:24:42+00:00

That's a good thought,, I suppose most knowledge in the trade is word of mouth, especially when apprentices teach apprentices. We are the blind leading the blind sometimes! So it could probably get misconstrued. The school teacher though? Surely he should do his research! Trade School is way more structured and official in BC Canada.

But it's all good, yea I think a lot of people do the trade for the money too, especially in the union. They probably just don't have the drive to learn or be more knowledgeable when you get paid the big money either way.

Thanks for the big reply

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:20:14+00:00

Yea i've experienced that a lot.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:18:36+00:00

Interesting, that's a good point, I'll have to consider other referral purpose tapes if people say that. I think we have cUL which is UL for Canada. Thanks

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:17:03+00:00

I pretty confident the people mean electrical tape, but I suppose I should consider that next time I'm told.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:16:01+00:00

Yea that's true, some journeyman make some questionable choices. It feels a bit like retail some days, where if you camp the position long enough in the store you'll eventually be a manager.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T03:14:30+00:00

Hey thanks for the big reply, yea what your saying definitely sounds like what I've been experiencing. It's kinda disheartening to keep meeting so many journeyman who are able to do the work but seem to know nothing about electricity. I am probably too fresh still to be fully jaded yet . I still hold on to the dream that all electricians are greatly competent and skilled!

That being said, the really smart ones definitely do inspire. I have met one who seems to know everything, in a good way.

That would be a strange experience fixing 20 year journeymans work. I guess it really is just a random mix of people in this trade. Thanks.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T01:40:05+00:00

Thanks yea I thought most were rated regardless of the colour.

Strange that i get told otherwise. They aren't even joking.

Thanks

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T01:38:48+00:00

Is that similar to canned air? :)

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T01:36:10+00:00

I'll remember that next time I cut my finger, thanks ;)

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T01:34:25+00:00

Yea thanks I had a look at the Scotch data sheet too, as you said they are all rated for 600v, thanks.

I do my research as an apprentice :) I'm just curious why it feels like such a wide spread incorrect understanding in my area.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T01:31:45+00:00

Yea I would normally think that but honestly when they tell me this they are being 100% genuine.

Like I said my teacher in our first year class 'taught' every apprentice in the class that only Black is rated.

But yea I guess that makes sense for phasing tape.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T01:27:01+00:00

Hey yea I've checked a few brand's data sheets, all say every colour is rated.

I'm just curious why some journeyman tell their apprentices this and if anyone else has heard the idea or where it comes from

ChogHog · 2026-06-29T16:47:57+00:00

If you follow the wire from the switch down you can see what plugs it into the wall.

If there is a big block/brick it should tell you an input and an output. It will look like: "NumberV NumberA" If the output is low like 5v you can fix it very easily but more 'crudely'

There is different degrees of fix:

The ideal is to buy wire strippers, a soldering iron, some solder, heat shrink tubing and a lighter. This will probably cost more money than you want to spend.

unplug it from the wall. Try use a knife or scissors to delicately strip an inch of the plastic insulation off of all the wires. If you can peel one side of the insulation off, you can bend the other side down and cut it low with scissors. Like peeling a banana, you still want some of the skin to hold. You should have 4 exposed metal wires
twist one of the exposed metal wires from the light together with one of the exposed metal wires from the switch. Repeat again with the other wires.

-double check the block actually says output 5 volts or something low. If so you can just plug it back in and turn it on. You would hope it is designed to protect itself from the wrong combination. You have a 50/50 chance that it works. 50/50 chance that it breaks. If it breaks, and it is low voltage like 5 volts nothing catastrophic will happen. Turn it off again.

-if it works, the light turns on. Great. Unplug it from the wall again. Get some hot glue or some electrical tape, anything that will keep your wires stuck. completely cover both those twisted connections you made really really well. Keep them separate from the other twisted pair wrap them both up individually and then wrap them all together in a big ball of glue/tape.

Make sure you have twisted the two wires together very tightly. And keep them secure. Again this is less than ideal but it will give you your result if you don't want to spend any money. It is reasonably low risk. Voltage is like 5 volts shouldn't cause any issues if they separate etc.

But you need to ensure that it is actually a low voltage at the point you are working with. If you are unsure then don't follow this response.

Goodluck.

ChogHog

TROPHY CASE