WRAPPING
Always wrap in a half-lap fashion using the white line as a guide. (The trailing edge following the white line of the previous layer.)
FUSION
Stretching the tape aids fusion.
When applying with “minimum stretch”, care should be taken to ensure that the tape fuses evenly to the previous layer.
KEEP IT CLEAN
The tape fuses with itself. Any dirt between the fusing layers will reduce fusion. Always store LLFA® Tape in an air tight bag!
STRETCH
LLFA® Tape has very high tensile strength. In applications that require the tape to be “pre-tensioned”, it is important to become familiar with how much “pull” is required.
The following diagrams demonstrate some of the basic terminology that we use in describing the amount of stretch required. (Note: Each diagram shows the same piece of tape being stretched to different lengths.)
No Stretch
When applying without stretch, the abrasion resistance is significantly increased. However, in the absence of stretching, fusion must be aided by pressing down the
Minimum Stretch
This is the amount of stretch required to gain even fusion without pressing the layers of tape together.
Tight
The amount of tension required to ensure watertight coverage.
Maximum Stretch
This amount of tension is required when creating a seal. It is used when sealing around the oversheath of a cable (on the first layer), or when sealing a leak in a pipe (on all layers).
NUMBER OF LAYERS
LLFA® Tape layers must be wrapped until the thickness of tape is 1.25 times the thickness of the cable insulation or two layers, whichever is greater.
BRANCH CROTCH WRAP
1. Use short pieces of LLFA® Tape. Place the tape parallel to the splice, 50mm away from the crotch of the main and branch cable.
2. Stretch the tape through the crotch and place down firmly on the other side. Repeat several times moving away from the centre of the crotch, up each side.
3. Complete by wrapping in the normal direction around the splice to cover over these pieces of tape.
STOPPING AND STARTING
When starting a new piece of tape, fully cover the end of the last piece of tape and the start of the tape being wrapped.
LLFA®40 is 1mm thick. If half the tape is covered, there remains a 1mm triangular hole - this could weaken the seal.
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