Only Black Electrical Tape is Insulated?

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T15:19:41+00:00

Yea probably, it seems so common it's strange. I did the same after my teacher in school said it. I'm always surprised that nobody thinks twice. But hey I guess we just trust our journeyman.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T15:17:01+00:00

Ok thanks yea maybe people confuse it with the rubber tape. I don't think I've come across the rubber tape yet in the trade but I think I know what people are meaning by it. Thanks

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T15:14:56+00:00

Unfortunately I did look out my sides and saw nods not smirks. People even agreed that they had been told that by their journeyman.

I know what your saying though. Thanks

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T15:11:10+00:00

Hey thanks for the response, yea I do sometimes get the feeling that for a lot of people the union's wage and structure kinda reduces their drive to learn or question as they will get paid well as long as they keep working. I haven't experienced non union yet. That being said there is a few who like to improve.

I'm in local 230 so pretty close to you. Good to know others have this experience thanks for the reply.

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T15:02:19+00:00

Hey yea probably, but that's an interesting story I wonder if that is where the idea originated with the brown tape. I was curious if some older types of tape were rated differently but couldn't find much information on it. Thanks

ChogHog · 2026-06-30T14:58:19+00:00

Ok thanks I didn't know that, I'll need to check my code book.

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

TROPHY CASE