Effects

• Placing tape around damaged parts of a power cord can change its flexibility. This may place stress on adjacent areas of the power cord and potentially cause internal damage to the cord's insulation and wiring.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Taping a damaged power cord typically fails to restore a cord's strength or safety and prevents the ability to monitor the cord for worsening fraying or breakage.
  
  

Types

• Refrain from taping extension and power cords designed for construction and other heavy-duty applications. Apparent fraying and tears on these power cords may indicate internal damage that goes beyond the cord's casing or sheathing.
  
  

Benefits

• Use gaffer's tape to secure a power cord to flooring. Duct tape or other stickier tapes can gum up power and extension cords and may eventually cause damage.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Keep a power cord in good, working order by placing it away from high-traffic areas and places where the cord may become weathered or frayed. Remove the cord's plug by hand instead of pulling on the cord to help prevent torn or broken insulation.