There is no doubt that we all have seen wires that are shielded by a thick layer of coverings. This is known as heat shrink tubing. The wires of a cable are made of sturdy material that is also environmentally friendly. It keeps wires and connections protected from any kind of environmental hazards.

Sometimes we see corrosion on pipes and we must protect wires and cables from it. Heat shrinkable sleeves stop corrosion at plastic coated field welded steel pipe joints. Therefore to perform flawless tasks heat shrink sleeving is essential. In this article we will discuss about choosing the right heat shrink tubing to achieve flawless performance of electrical systems. So let us begin.

The Main Advantages of Heat Shrink Tubing -

Below we have mentioned the key benefits of heat shrink tubing. Let us go through them.

 Durability -

To keep the wires and cables safe from external effects such as corrosion and cuts we need a durable shield that can protect the wires. The heat shrink sleeving is the best solution for it because it is completely resistant from abrasion and corrosion.

Easy Installation -

Every material requires suitable tool kit to install and to one can install heat shrink sleeving to connections without any hassle if they have right tools.

Excellent Insulation -

While working in electrical field we must take precaution. But if the wire is well protected by heat shrink tubing then there is no risk of electrical failure and shorts.

Protection against Moisture -

Moisture is one of the factors that can lead to serious electrical failures and also shorts. Besides this it will cause corrosion in wires. This tubing works as a great protective shield to the wiring from depositing moisture.

 Customization -

It comes with a great advantage of customizing the tubing such as variant colors and sizes according to the users need.

Tips for Selecting the Best Heat Shrink Tubing for Your Project -

In the next segment we will discuss some crucial factors to keep in mind while selecting the suitable heat shrink sleeving for the next project. So let us move in that direction.

Material Types -

Wiring and connections will stay safe if you choose the correct tubing material. Apart from that How do you use heat shrink sleeving is also one of the crucial factors when choosing the material for tubing. If you search for common material you will find polyolefin is one of the best. It is a versatile option that has excellent insulation for electric shorts and resistance power.

Other than that there are Teflon and PVC tubing materials. PVC material is comparatively budget friendly and used in areas where there is no such environmental issue. If you are working on a project that is in extreme heat area then you must choose the Teflon tubing.

Chemical Resistance -

Sometimes due to chemical reactions electrical shorts can happen. As we have no such expertise about choosing the best heat shrink sleeving for cable then we must seek advice from an expert. While a project is going on there are some chemicals that can be easily penetrated if you have chosen low graded tubing.

This may lead to accidents. Therefore must choose a suitable material that can resist fuels and chemicals. FEP and fluoro polymers may suitable materials that offer excellent chemical resistance power so that wires stay protected from harsh chemical contaminations. To be sure a material is compatible with your particular application always consult its chemical resistance chart.

 Shrink Ratio -

This is one of the crucial factors that one must keep in mind before selecting heat shrink tubing for an electrical project. The shrink ratio will help you to determine how much the sleeving material shrinks after applying the heat. One will find several ratios such as 2:1 or 41.

But one must choose the higher ratio if one is working with irregular shapes. It will help them to stay in the shape after applying the heat. The 2:1 ratio will not give a proper result here because when heated then the tubing will shrink in half and it will be unable to keep its shape.   

Shelf Life -

Like any other product and appliance every tubing material comes with a specific shelf life. Therefore before buying a suitable material for heat shrink sleeving must check the labeling where the shelf life of the tubing has been clearly mentioned. Usually the shelf life of the tubing varies from two to twenty years.

But of course, it is also dependent on the other factors as well such as the tubing material type and the shrink ratio. Besides this if one is going to perform a project where the wire has to resist heavy temperature then the material should be that much competent. Therefore must go through the specifications of the tubing and if it feels fine then it may last more than twenty years.   

Conclusion -

We have come to the end part of this article. By going through the entire discussion we are optimistic that now you have clear ideas about a heat shrink sleeving. Whether you are performing a do it yourself at your home or you have to do professional level electrical work then choosing the right heat shrink sleeving is absolutely essential.

You will experience a huge difference after working with such material. It will be more effective in terms of the performance and the safety while you are performing an electrical task.