ANSWERS: 1
  • <h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: Electrical Tape Was Designed to Insulate

    Electrical tape was invented by 3M in 1946 specifically to insulate electrical wires and other metal objects that conduct electricity. It replaced the layers of tar-coated cotton, rubber tape and rubber adhesive that had been used for the purpose up to that point, making the process of eliminating fire hazards and short circuits much easier.

    On the Other: It's Not the Best Option

    Ideally, any electrical wiring used inside a wall should be new and coated with a continuous, unbroken layer of insulation. Damaged wires should be replaced rather than taped. If you do use electrical tape, be sure to use the appropriate variety. Black tape is used almost exclusively for insulation, with other colors indicating voltage and phase.

    Bottom Line

    It won't hurt to use black electrical tape to insulate a wire in a wall, especially for short-term repairs. For safety reasons, however, it's best to use it only to insulate joins and short breaks in a wire's insulated coating.

    Source:

    How Do You Use Electrical Tape?

    What is Electrical Tape?

    More Information:

    Wrapping Electrical Tape Around an Outlet

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