Heat shrinkable tube

How do I insulate a cable with a heat shrink tube?

A shrink sleeve protects your cable connection by being placed over the area to be insulated, contracting when heated by hot air and being locked in place by the constriction. Some heat shrinkable tubing also has an adhesive that is coated on the inside, which makes it adhere more strongly to the spot. Since shrink tubing is made of plastic, which does not conduct electricity and can withstand most environmental influences, it is used for electrical insulation and mechanical protection to seal cable connections, for example.

How much does a heat shrink tubing have to be heated to shrink completely?

At 65°C a heat shrinkable tubing starts to constrict, at 95°C it will shrink to its maximum constriction.

How do I select the appropriate size of heat shrink tubing?

The deciding factor for the appropriate heat shrink is always the diameter of the cable to be insulated. The shrink tubing must always have a larger diameter than the cable to be insulated. It is recommended to choose a larger diameter of at least 20% to 80% in relation to the cable in order to insulate it correctly.

The 80:20 rule states that the tubing should shrink at least 20% and a maximum of 80% of its diameter to achieve the best insulation result.

The length of the shrink tubing should be at least 5 - 10% longer than the area to be insulated.

How much does a shrink tubing shrink?

Heat shrinkable tubing with a ratio of 2:1 reduces its diameter by half by heating, and with a ratio of 3:1 the plastic tubing shrinks even to a third of its circumference.

How do I assemble a heat shrink tubing?

It is important to ensure that the area to be insulated has a clean cut edge and has been well cleaned so that the heat shrink tubing can develop its maximum adhesion.

The heat shrink tubing is then placed over the insulated area to verify that the length and diameter completely cover the area to be repaired. In order to narrow the shrink tubing in its circumference, it is heated by hot air from 65°C - 95°C, for example by a hot air dryer, until it is completely in contact with the insulating area. This is then hardened by a cooling ambient air and should adhere firmly to the spot. If the shrink tubing still has room to move, it should be touched up again at this point with hot air until complete adhesion occurs. It is advisable to carry out the heating process rather slowly at low temperatures and to touch up several times to achieve an optimum result.

What is heat shrink tubing with adhesive?

A heat shrinkable tubing with adhesive, has an adhesive inner layer for an even firmer hold, which bonds firmly to the area to be insulated when the tubing is heated, to ensure an even better hold.

When do I need heat shrink tubing with adhesive?

A typical application for a heat shrinkable tubing with adhesive is a movable point to be insulated, for connections in the ground (buried installation), or in areas with increased moisture. If the area to be insulated is exposed to increased environmental influences such as moisture or similar, the heat shrinkable tubing with adhesive should be used.

Is a heat shrinkable tubing waterproof?

A heat shrinkable tubing with adhesive can also insulate connections with a flow. It does not matter whether it is the garden hose with water, gasoline or even oil. However, it is important here to pay special attention to the fact that before installing the hose, the place to be insulated is very well cleaned and has a clean cut edge to achieve a long-lasting result. In addition, the finished insulated area should always be subjected to at least one test.

Are there transparent shrink sleeves?

Heat shrink tubing comes in a wide variety of colors and shapes, including transparent heat shrink tubing.

Heat shrinkable tubing sets, kits, collection boxes

Since each insulating point usually has a special requirement for the heat shrink tubing, it is advisable to resort to the kits provided by many manufacturers, which are usually designed in different lengths, colors and diameters.