Took me 5 years to realize I was wrapping electrical tape backwards

Ngl, I've been an electrician for over a decade. Last month I was showing a new guy how to splice a junction box and he stopped me. Said 'hey, you're pulling the tape the wrong way around the wires.' I told him it didn't matter as long as it stuck. He showed me how stretching it at an angle gives way better tension and seals tighter. I tried it and honestly my last 5 years of taped joints are all garbage in comparison. Has anyone else had a basic skill they were doing completely wrong for years without knowing?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_anthony1mo ago

That "stretching it at an angle" trick actually saved my air conditioner from a leaky duct tape disaster.

michaeld481mo ago

So @the_anthony, what was the duct tape disaster doing near electrical work?

mary_west1mo ago

Oh man @michaeld48, that's rough. Glad it worked out in the end though!