dimmer-switchelectricalreceptacleswitch
In the comments section of this question, MacGuyver's distant cousin MacGuffin recommended wrapping the innards of electrical switches and outlets with electrical tape to avoid any accidental shorts.
I think this is a great tip. But the innards of electrical switches and outlets are often not exactly the type of shapes conducive to being wrapped with electrical tape.
What technique is recommend to do this? A photo or two would also be most appreciated.
It would have been simpler to just connect the bottom outlet's live (the black) to the top outlet live on each pair.
The switched live wire (red normally) should be connected through to the end and labeled in each spot (this allows the next guy to restore some outlets to the switched setup).
Yes, all "Decora" style devices share the same cover plate opening, within a couple of thousandths of an inch (+/-.005" or so). GFCI receptacles also fit this description, as well as many dimmers, timers and "smart switches".
For instance the opening on a Hubbell plate is 1.312"x2.625", while these Leviton are slightly different, but all within a reasonable spec to be called the same.
Best Answer
There is no need for tape inside a device box except perhaps as a wire colour marker (phase taping, etc). Outlets, switches, device boxes, cable, clamps, breakers - all of these devices have clear and specific installation methods that ensure they perform to the safety standards against which they are tested. Hacks like this do not count themselves among those methods.
If you're tempted to put tape in a device box to stop electricity from going somewhere, it's because there is something else in the box that is done wrong, and tape is never the correct solution.
If the side screws are not screwed in, screw them in. It takes ten seconds and costs nothing.
If the outlet isn't secure, secure it. It takes ten seconds and costs nothing.
If the box or outlet is damaged such that it can't be adequately secured, or is dented, or too narrow such that the side screws risk touching the box or is too small to accommodate the box fill - replace the box. It takes fifteen minutes and costs two dollars.
If the wires inside are twisted like haywire, tidy them up. It takes five minutes and costs nothing.
If the box needs an extender, add one. It takes five minutes and costs a few dollars.
If the wires or insulation are damaged they must be replaced. Tape is not allowed. If I open a box and see a taped device, the very first thing I do is remove the tape and inspect the job hiding underneath because tape inside a device box does tell you one very important thing - that the person who put it there in the first place didn't even trust their own work. And you shouldn't either.
Tape is a band-aid solution. For applications where you would use it to repair insulation it is not allowed by code anyway. Neither code nor device manufacturers require or even recommend that you to wrap tape on outlets, switches, wire nuts, or any other part of anything inside a device box other than for identifying wires.
3M Super 33 is probably the best electrical tape you can buy, and it comes with a 5-year shelf life. If 3M doesn't give it more than 5 years on the shelf, you can be guaranteed that it won't last that long in service. Tape eventually fails - it is not a long term solution and it is not suitable for permanent installations.