Answered: Electrical Tape Limits

[hpms807]

Hi,

My team and I are wondering how much electrical tape you can use. In the past VEX has let us use it to hold our wires together but now we are using it a a slippery surface for the balls. Can we do this? We used about 7 12 inch pieces

[Karthik]

Hi,

My team and I are wondering how much electrical tape you can use. In the past VEX has let us use it to hold our wires together but now we are using it a a slippery surface for the balls. Can we do this? We used about 7 12 inch pieces

No, this is absolutely not permitted. Electrical tape is not an official VEX part, and as such cannot be used unless it falls into one of the categories listed in <R6> or <R7>. After examining these rules you will see that it does not.

<R6> Official VEX products are ONLY available from VEX & Official VEX Resellers. To determine whether a product is “official” or not, consult www.VEXrobotics.com (http://www.VEXrobotics.com).
a. Products identical to those listed on this site are also considered “official VEX products”. Note: It is up to inspectors to determine whether a component is “identical” to an official VEX component.
b. VEX Robotics Competition teams from countries that primarily use the metric system may utilize metric fasteners comparable in size, length, and head type to VEX fasteners.

<R7> Robots are allowed the following additional “non-VEX” components:
a. Any material strictly used as a color filter for a VEX Light Sensor.
b. Any parts which are identical to legal VEX parts.
c. Teams may add non-functional decorations provided that these do not affect the robot performance in any significant way or affect the outcome of the match. These decorations must be in the spirit of the competition. Inspectors will have final say in what is considered “nonfunctional”.
d. Any non-aerosol based grease, when used in extreme moderation on surfaces and locations that do NOT come into contact

[hpms807]

Hello, my team and I have used electrical tape in the past to hold wire extenders to the original wire, we are wondering if we can't even use it for that.:confused:

[Karthik]

Hello, my team and I have used electrical tape in the past to hold wire extenders to the original wire, we are wondering if we can't even use it for that.:confused:

No, this would be considered a functional use, and thus not permitted by <R7>.

[hpms807]

Is this a new rule because in the past we have used it for the wire extenders and even at Dallas last year. Do you know if we have been braking the rule all a long.

[Karthik]

Is this a new rule because in the past we have used it for the wire extenders and even at Dallas last year. Do you know if we have been braking the rule all a long.

This is not a new rule. Without seeing your past robots, I cannot tell if you have broken this rule in the past. Your past inspectors may have had a reason for allowing the tape, or it may have just been an oversight. Regardless, tape is not allowed for functional purposes in the VRC.