In movies, when a character gets electrically shocked, it's often portrayed as a shower of sparks followed by an explosive fire.
Having witnessed what happened when my older brother plugged a rat-chewed cable into a beat-up wall socket, I can say with confidence that without proper electrical protection, this outcome is a very real possibility.
While dielectric tape may not prevent chewed-up Xbox cords, it will help ensure that your products are properly insulated, lowering the risk of electrical overload and allowing them to run at safer temperatures.
Over the past 38 years, Strouse has used dielectric tape in custom design projects for various industries.
If you want to use dielectric tape for your product, keep reading to learn about different materials and how they serve as effective insulators.
Manufacturers use dielectric tape, also known as electrical insulation tape, to control or insulate electricity in systems and prevent electrical overload.
The insulation tape prevents electrical shock or short circuits between wires or other system components.
Dielectric tape is used in:
as well as other applications requiring dielectric-strength materials for electrical insulation. It’s an automation-friendly alternative to dielectric grease and paste, which can have messy applications that are challenging to scale.
So, you’re choosing dielectric tape for your project. What are your options? Let’s review some popular ones and their benefits.
Polyimide tape (often mistakenly called “polymide tape”) is a highly heat-resistant material with dielectric capabilities. It is used in many electrical insulation applications.
Kapton tape is a brand name of polyimide with a dielectric strength of 7700 V/mil (303kV/mm) for 25µm/1 mil thick film.
Polyester (PET) tape is a heat-resistant film used in high-temperature masking, medical device assembly, and electronic joining applications.
Polypropylene film has a high dielectric strength, making it ideal for power capacitors and other high-voltage applications. Its low dielectric loss makes it ideal for applications involving high frequencies.
Mica tape is a fireproof material that withstands high temperatures and high-voltage applications. It’s often used in EV battery packs and within transformers/motors.
Although you’ve now seen a handful of options, there are plenty of other dielectric materials, such as glass cloth tape, filament-reinforced electrical tape, or vinyl. If you’re unsure which to use, consider contacting a manufacturer or converter with any questions.
If you’re looking for a couple of rolls of dielectric tape, then you’re better off looking to a major material manufacturer/distributor like 3M, ULINE, Amazon, or even your local hardware store.
However, if you’re seeking a large quantity of rolls for production or a custom design for your application, consider using a converter to build your solution.
A converter will help you find the best value by leveraging our trusted supplier partnerships to find materials and processes that match your project needs. You can also customize your material stack up or roll size and prototype new designs to fit your project.
Reach out today to get a quote on your dielectric solution, or visit our Learning Center for more information about insulation materials.