On my Pi B+, and B model 2 there is a piece of orange see-through tape stuck across the top of the HDMI connector.
What is the purpose of this piece of tape? And are there any damaging effects if I remove it?
asked Apr 10, 2016 at 13:23
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4As an aside: the material of that weird orange tape is known as Kapton. It's commonly used in electronics manufacturing.– user28237Commented Apr 10, 2016 at 21:08
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2 Answers
I believe the tape is useful for manufacturing using a vacuum based pick and place machine. The machine can't pick the parts up if they're full of holes. Removing it shouldn't do any harm.
answered Apr 10, 2016 at 16:26
Due to its large range of temperature stability, and its electrical isolation ability, Kapton tape is usually used in electronic manufacturing as an insulation and protection layer on electrostatic sensitive and fragile components. As it can sustain the temperature needed for a reflow soldering operation, its protection is available throughout the whole production process, and Kapton is often still present in the final consumer product.
Source: Wikipedia
Conclusion: Pull it off
The Kapton tape was used to protect the HDMI connector when it entered the reflow soldering bath. Removing the tape has no negative consequences. Quite to the contrary, Kapton tape is known to become brittle after a while in humid (Earth-like) environments. One does not want those pieces of Kapton tape to enter any cooling fan when one is using one of those.
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While that is all good to know, your answer does not seem to address the specific questions here (purpose in this particular case; damage if removed), i.e. does it act as an insulation layer that is missing after removal? An HDMI connector does not seem to be an electrostatic sensitive or fragile component.– Ghanima ♦Commented Feb 11, 2017 at 11:32
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2@Ghanima I addressed your issue by writing a conclusion. Commented Feb 11, 2017 at 13:19