| What it is… | | | | How to choose it… |
| Heat shrink tubing is exactly what its name indicates: it | | | | There are several factors to consider when choosing |
| is tubing that shrinks when heat is applied. It can be | | | | heat shrink tubing. Beyond the usual considerations of |
| used for a wide range of purposes and can be helpful | | | | temperature and voltage ratings, environmental |
| for doing both preventative maintenance and making | | | | hazards, and other application requirements involved in |
| repairs. | | | | choosing cable products, heat shrink tubing requires |
| How to use it… | | | | attention to a few more details. |
| Heat shrink tubing can be used many different ways. | | | | First are sizing requirements necessary to ensure that |
| Common preventative maintenance applications | | | | the heat shrink will fit snugly in its application and work |
| include relieving strain, providing additional insulation, and | | | | the most effectively. The sleeve diameter is crucial in |
| sealing the cable. | | | | heat shrink tubing. The tubing must be large enough in |
| When heat shrink tubing is applied to terminals or | | | | its original state to fit over any large or irregular |
| connectors, it can help relieve physical stress caused | | | | surfaces, but it must also have a final diameter small |
| by flexing and bending. While flexing and bending can | | | | enough to ensure that it will shrink to fit tightly around |
| damage insulation and even the cable's conductor, a | | | | those parts. That is where the shrink ratio comes in. |
| layer of heat shrink tubing helps the cable withstand | | | | The shrink ratio indicates how small the tubing will |
| impact, even in cables with built-in strain relief. For more | | | | become once heat is applied. These ratios usually |
| challenging flex applications, requiring firmer strain relief, | | | | range from 6:1 to 2:1. For tubing with a 2:1 ratio, the final |
| semi-rigid heat shrink tubing is recommended. | | | | product will be half of its original size once it is heated. |
| Not only can heat shrink tubing provide additional strain | | | | Tubing with a 6:1 ratio, in its original state, will be six |
| relief, but it can also provide extra insulation. Heat shrink | | | | times larger than the final size of the tubing after it is |
| tubing has great electrical qualities which makes it ideal | | | | shrunk. These high shrink ratios leave room for irregular |
| for use with connections, terminations, and circuit board | | | | parts, allowing the tubing to slide over large objects |
| applications requiring additional environmental and | | | | while shrinking enough for a snug fit over smaller |
| electrical protection. | | | | sections. This is important to ensure that the heat |
| Heat shrink tubing also provides an extra layer of | | | | shrink provides an adequate fit and an effective seal. |
| protection for the cable by working as a sealer. It can | | | | Other considerations are wall thickness and rigidity. |
| be placed over substrates, connections, joints, and | | | | Requirements for these depend on the individual |
| gaps to protect them from moisture, chemicals, and | | | | application. Stiff tubing with thick walls may be |
| dust. Tubing defends against environmental hazards by | | | | necessary for applications where extreme durability |
| providing UV, oxidation, corrosion, and abrasion | | | | and strain relief are primary concerns. For other |
| resistance as well. | | | | applications, thin walled or less rigid tubing may be |
| Although heat shrink tubing can be utilized in many | | | | perfectly adequate. |
| preventative maintenance applications, it can also be | | | | Another thing to consider when choosing heat shrink is |
| extremely helpful when making repairs. Whether the | | | | how the tubing will be heated. Consider adding a heat |
| fixes are temporary or permanent, heat shrink tubing | | | | gun to your order. Heat guns are recommended |
| can be used to cover damaged cable jackets, | | | | because they provide control over temperature and air |
| insulation, connections, or cable splices. It makes for a | | | | flow. However, butane torches may also be used to |
| quick and easy fix while you wait for the cable to be | | | | apply heat. Ideally, heat is applied evenly over the entire |
| replaced, but it also works effectively enough to serve | | | | surface of the tubing. |
| as a permanent repair in some cases. | | | | The shrink temperature also varies from material to |
| When making repairs to the jacket or insulation, be | | | | material, so be sure to check that the temperature is |
| sure to check that the rest of the cable is undamaged. | | | | realistic for each application. |
| Look to see that the conductor and any insulation | | | | Though these are all important things to consider when |
| between individual conductors are intact to avoid | | | | choosing heat shrink tubing, it is a tool well worth the |
| shorts. | | | | thought. It can be helpful in many situations, from big |
| Finally, heat shrink tubing can simply be used to make | | | | projects to small details, from important factory repairs |
| life a little easier. It can bundle and organize cables or | | | | to simple circuit marking. |
| just mark circuits for easy cable identification. Heat | | | | Now that you know more about heat shrink tubing, |
| shrink tubing is available in a wide variety of colors and | | | | what it is, how to use it, and how to choose it, go |
| can be printed with permanent labels, so marking | | | | ahead and start looking for the perfect heat shrink |
| circuits is simple. | | | | tubing solution for your needs. |