[coolguynick]

Hey Everyone -

So I feel pretty stupid. Our electrician replaced our doorbell transformer that was in our garage (old one was buzzing) and after he was finished and left I noticed a piece of yellow tape hanging off the outside.

Thinking it was leftover plastic/tape from the packaging I removed the yellow tape. Now I'm not so sure if I should have done that. Here are some pictures of what I'm talking about.

It's a flimsy piece of plastic-tape that I can put back on if needed. Did I mess anything up or can I leave it off?

 

[coolguynick]

Second picture with it removed.

 

[jmon]

The electrician may have left it on for a reason to prevent anything coming in contact with it.

I don't believe you messed anything up.

 

[coolguynick]

The electrician may have left it on for a reason to prevent anything coming in contact with it.

I don't believe you messed anything up.

Thanks, I removed it and touched it and nothing happened. Wish I wasn't so picky and did my research first. I see Honeywell has one with blue tape so there has to be a reason?

http://yourhome.honeywell.com/en/products/door-chimes/honeywell-16v-low-voltage-transformer

I'm not sure if I should leave it uncovered, place the thin yellow tape back over it, or place regular electrical tape over it.

 

[jmon]

I would place the yellow tape back over it and forget about it. It's a special tape that the manufacturer uses for insulation purposes that can withstand temperature. If you threw it out or it's no longer sticky, I'm sure the electricians tape would work. Don't know where you can find it.

Here's another link that talks about it.

http://www.edaboard.com/thread224140.html

 

[coolguynick]

I would place the yellow tape back over it and forget about it. It's a special tape that the manufacturer uses for insulation purposes that can withstand temperature. If you threw it out or it's no longer sticky, I'm sure the electricians tape would work. Don't know where you can find it.

Here's another link that talks about it.

http://www.edaboard.com/thread224140.html

Thanks. Yes - I live in FL and this is in an open space on my garage wall. Would it make a huge difference if I completely removed the yellow tape (I tried re-wrapping it and it's loose) with the insulation?

I mainly don't want to break code/create an issue.

 

[Msradell]

There's no way you can call the problem by removing that tape because it's just around the metal frame of the transformer. It's not even in contact with the coil wires. It's probably just used for identification of the transformer by the manufacturer. Most transformers don't even have tape around them like that.

 

[jmon]

Please wait for an electrician to respond. Thanks.

 

[gregzoll]

Please wait for an electrician to respond. Thanks.

There is nothing for one of the Sparky's to respond about. That tape is on there to protect the plates and hold them in place during the manufacturing phase. It is left on to protect the stack of plates when installed.

Seen a lot that after a while the tape just naturally falls off. The plates have a protection coating on them from when the unit is dipped, before they place the two covers on the ends at the final phase, before packaging.

If the OP wants to place some electrical tape on it, they can and nothing will happen. Later on down the road, it will just fall off like the protection tape the manufacturer places to cover the plates.

 

[gregzoll]

There's no way you can call the problem by removing that tape because it's just around the metal frame of the transformer. It's not even in contact with the coil wires. It's probably just used for identification of the transformer by the manufacturer. Most transformers don't even have tape around them like that.

Correct. Gets put on to protect the plates during final phase when those two covers on. I have yet to see a 24v transformer have that tape on one to this day. It usually gets removed when installed or falls off after a while.

More things for the OP to worry about, then that little piece of tape the mfg placed to cover the plates.

 

[busman]

Forget about the tape and worry about why your "electrician" attached that handy box cover with a drywall screw.

Mark

 

[coolguynick]

There's no way you can call the problem by removing that tape because it's just around the metal frame of the transformer. It's not even in contact with the coil wires. It's probably just used for identification of the transformer by the manufacturer. Most transformers don't even have tape around them like that.

Thanks. My old one didn't have tape around it because it looked like there was a metal case around that area (attached). The new one had tape since there was no metal cover so now the core is "exposed". But everyone said its not a problem then I'll take their word for it!

More things for the OP to worry about, then that little piece of tape the mfg placed to cover the plates.

I get the gist of what you're saying, but are you suggesting something else is wrong? Lol

Forget about the tape and worry about why your "electrician" attached that handy box cover with a drywall screw.

Mark

That was the one that's always been there. It's the dry way portion in my garage and he just changed the transformer (nothing else). Should I get/use other screws?

 

[coolguynick]

Continued

 

[ez2wire]

That was the one that's always been there. It's the dry way portion in my garage and he just changed the transformer (nothing else). Should I get/use other screws?

314.25 Covers and Canopies.​

​

​

​

​

In completed installations,​

each box shall have a cover, faceplate, lampholder, or luminaire​

canopy, except where the installation complies with​

410.24(B). Screws used for the purpose of attaching covers,​

or other equipment, to the box shall be either machine​

screws matching the thread gauge or size that is integral to​

the box or shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s​

instructions.

 

[coolguynick]

314.25 Covers and Canopies.​

​

​

​

​

In completed installations,​

each box shall have a cover, faceplate, lampholder, or luminaire​

canopy, except where the installation complies with​

410.24(B). Screws used for the purpose of attaching covers,​

or other equipment, to the box shall be either machine​

screws matching the thread gauge or size that is integral to​

the box or shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s​

instructions.

Thanks for the info - sorry I'm not a pro so I don't know what type of screws I need.

Can you link me to something simple at Home Depot I can get?

So other than the screws, this thing is housed properly and removing the tape is 100% safe?

 

[gregzoll]

Thanks for the info - sorry I'm not a pro so I don't know what type of screws I need.



Can you link me to something simple at Home Depot I can get?



So other than the screws, this thing is housed properly and removing the tape is 100% safe?

Forget about the post that cited a NEC rule that does not apply in your case. You are fine, even though it is an odd way of having that transfotmer placed.

 

[Oso954]

I don't understand why Greg thinks the rule about machine screws doesn't apply. There should be a box under that cover plate.

The danger is if the wires feeding the box get folded a bit differently, the pointed drywall screw can penetrate the insulation. It's a potential shock hazard.

If the drywall screws haven't damaged the threads, they should be #6-32 machine screws. I would probably just grab a new blank cover and use the screws from it.

 

[coolguynick]

Thanks for the help guys!

Don't make me start freaking out about the screws when I had a question about the tape lol.

I'll look into getting new screws this weekend.

 

[coolguynick]

Well, I called a few electricians and most said it was fine. One said it could affect the way the heat dissapates, but I don't know how the tape would help?

Here's the original link to the one I purchased. NuTone C905

http://www.nutone.com/products/product/d7de16dc-e42c-405a-8b9e-e5a8c086d30c

So frustrating.

 

[coolguynick]

I would place the yellow tape back over it and forget about it. It's a special tape that the manufacturer uses for insulation purposes that can withstand temperature. If you threw it out or it's no longer sticky, I'm sure the electricians tape would work. Don't know where you can find it.

Here's another link that talks about it.

http://www.edaboard.com/thread224140.html

One electrician said removing the tape would help with heat dissipate and another said removing the tape could negatively affect the way the heat dissipates...any thoughts?

Here's the original link to the one I purchased. NuTone C905

http://www.nutone.com/products/product/d7de16dc-e42c-405a-8b9e-e5a8c086d30c

A solid answer would be nice lol