What is the difference between electrical and regular tape?

So-called "electrical tape" is guaranteed to be an insulator -- to not conduct electricity. It's also thick enough to be a guaranteed insulator over a certain potential (voltage) range...

If you used, say, thin masking tape over electric wires, then put a positive and negative lead only covered with this tape next to each other, with sufficient voltage an arc could still jump between the two wires because the tape isn't a very good insulator. Electrical tape will prevent such an arc happening at typical household voltages (110-220V). So it's safe to use to cover bare wires in electrical circuits.

Make sense?

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RE:

What is the difference between electrical and regular tape?

Electrical tape provides an electrical insulator helping to prevent a short (wire to wire contact). When properly applied it can even act as an water barrier, which is very important when voltage is present. Regular tape doesn't have the insulation property of electrical tape and can allow water to pass through.

Hope this explains.

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Either work, it is best to use heat shrink whenever possible and then a layer of electrical tape helps. When using electrical tape, never skimp on cost. 3M makes the best, their Scotch 88, at least IMO from personal experience. The cheaper tapes do not have the ability to withstand heat and other things such as water, oil, and grease. I almost always use electrical tape, as after years of using it you learn how to apply it completely and snap it off rather than cutting it without damaging the solder or the wires, plus it is easier to carry a roll of it along rather than different sizes of heat shrink and a torch.

Electrical tape is made of a plastic or vinyl compound to provide flexibility and insulation. Not all vinyl tape is electrical tape though, the tape needs to be UL certified (it's usually stamped on the tape) to withstand high heat in areas it is used such as car engines, HVAC things, etc. UL listed tape is certified to not catch fire and burn when overheated, meanwhile non-UL listed tape may contribute or start a fire and burn like a petroleum product. Regular tape is not approved for use as electrical tape.

Heat shrink wrap provides a better seal and is easier to work with so I would use it over electrical tape if I had it. Electrical tape also works, but you have to worry about doing a good wrap job without tearing the wires apart during the process.

Electrical tapes have a special gum which is resistant from elcetricity & regular tapes have a normal gum used for sticking.That's the difference.

Electrical tape is insulated.

Electrical tape is more elastic and it is non-conductive.

"Regular tape" (whatever you mean by that) could range from celophane to nylon strapping tape to duct tape.

You mean the grey insulated tape versus the clear gift wrap tape?