Tattomashine.The importance of insulation!

The importance of insulation!
“...my insulation’s gone...you make me overload...”
-Ace Freheley


For a machine to function properly, or just to function at all, it is mandatory
to understand the importance of insulation. The flow of the current
through the machine’s wires must be restricted to the wires only, and anything that
comes in direct contact with the wires or wire terminals-- the upper and lower binding
posts for example, need direct contact with the terminals. Exposed wires should never
touch the frame or coil post, this will only ground the flow of current and produce a non
operational machine, until the grounding problem is corrected.
What should be insulated?
Starting from the most basic parts:
Coil Posts
Coil Posts should be insulated to prevent copper wire from making contact with them.
A piece of insulation tape is recommended to surround the post only where the wire will
be wound, between the upper and lower plastic / nylon / neoprene retaining washers.
Even though the copper wire used to wind the coil bobbins usually is insulated, the insulation
is usually thin and may easily be stripped off, exposing the wire inside.
Coil Wires
The wires exiting the coil assembly must be insulated with a heat shrink before they are
connected one coil to the other and wires to terminals. Because of the proximity of the
wires exiting the bottom of the coil bobbins, to the yoke or base of the frame, it is important
to make sure the wires are totally insulated all the way to the plastic retaining washers
on the coil, from which they exit. Remember to leave a space of un-insulated wire for
connection to the terminals.

Capacitor wires
The capacitor wires which exit the top and the bottom of the cylindrical capacitor should
be insulated as well. The capacitor will sit very close to the frame once installed and may
run the risk of one of it’s wires making contact with the frame. Insulating the capacitor
itself is also recommended as on occasion, the capacitor may not already be equipped
with adequate insulation and may also cause grounding problems if it makes direct contact
with the frame. Heat shrinks come in a series of colors and sizes to match the thicknesses
of the wires and capacitor and can be used for aesthetic purposes as well as functionality.
Remember to leave a space of un-insulated wire for connection to the terminals.
A properly insulated capacitor with A properly insulated coil assembly.
insulatedtermials.
Using a heat gun to heat shrink wires produces smooth results.

Terminals
The terminals attached to the capacitor and coil wires will still conduct current so it is
important to insulate the lower part of the terminal, leaving exposed enough of the ring
on the terminal to accommodate the binding post so it connects directly and completely
to the said terminal.
Screws
The only screws which should not touch the machine frame are the screws which connect
the binding posts to the frames. These should be insulated by using plastic or nylon
t-washers, or flat plastic / nylon washers OR a piece of electrical or insulation tape (if
you do not have t-washers) around the threads so no part of that screw will make contact
with the machine frame. The coil securing screws are the only screws which can
touch the frame.
A perfectly insulated machine...this one will not have grounding problems.