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Household Item as Electrical Tape? - updated

GasX

GasX

Lifer
update: I got the electrical tape from the neightbor and got the connections all nice and secure. Now I am having problems getting the hot water line hooked up. There is no easy way to do it. Furthermore, I fear I might be cross threading it. If I could see what I was doing under there it would be much better.... grrrrrr





Is there anything around the house I can use to insulate some wiring?

I am hooking up a dishwasher and had to use crimps to make the wiring connections. Unfortunately, the crimps have bare metal ends. How do I keep them separate in the junction box with something I have around the house?

I was thinking bubble wrap but I don't think it is an insulator.
 
Bad Idea!

While you're at the hardware store 😉 , you should really pick up some properly sized wire nuts, and do it right. Don't mess around with the electrical wiring in your home.
 
Yeah yeah I know. It's not the money. It's the "goddamn it I want my kitchen back" that's pushing me... I have wire nuts, but they don't work when you have a stiff copper wire and a slim braided wire.

I guess I have to call the chatty neighbor and spend 2 hours borrowing some tape...
 


<< Yeah yeah I know. It's not the money. It's the "goddamn it I want my kitchen back" that's pushing me... I have wire nuts, but they don't work when you have a stiff copper wire and a slim braided wire.

I guess I have to call the chatty neighbor and spend 2 hours borrowing some tape... >>



Yes they work with both kinds and a combination of the two.
 
buy some small marette(sp?) connectors. duct tape will usually work ok, but electrical tape is best, especially if it's 120V
 
Yeah, you don't want to screw around with this one. Not only are you screwing with a pretty hefty circuit, you are going to cram the dishwasher back into the (flammable) cabinets, where it will vibrate around for years until the wires wiggle themslves into position to spark against something.

And then the fumes from all the cleaning supplies under your sink will ignite in a huge fireball that'll take out half the block.

Might as well just spring the $3 for electrical tape. Last I checked, even places like 7-11 and most grocery stores sell it.
 


<< I cant seem to get it to bite on both wires. The braided one keeps coming out... 🙁 >>



The nut is probably just too small. Both wires together have to fit before the I.D. of the nut starts to taper. If you are working on a dishwasher, they are probably 14ga. or possibly 12ga. If they are 14, the larger yellow will work fine. If they are 12, the larger RED will work. The Red will work on both and combinations of both.

Tip: Strip both wires long (3"+), wrap them tightly together and cut the bare stretch to 3/8' - 1/2" before you nut it. The length will give you the leverage you need to get a "good wrap". I used to be an electrician. You can wrap almost any commonly used size wires without pliers if you give yourself enough length.

Good luck. It works.

Edit: One more thing. Nutting AND taping the base of the nut is normally code.
 
killmeplease - thanks - stripping some more braided wire should do it. (I have yellows). I'll let you know how it goes.

If you don't see an update to this thread in the next hour, it means I have electrocuted myself and I am lying on the kitchen floor wishing my cat could dial 911.
 
If you have to use electrical tape to install 240V dishwasher, you're doing something wrong. You don't want to mess around with 30A or 50A 240V wiring, because it can heat up and melt if connection isn't made right.

Scotch taping together is okay for science project running off of 9V battery. Its not okay for permanently installing high wattage appliance.
 
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