Heat shrink tubing is an inexpensive means of protecting wires from any number of environmental factors which can potentially damage or interfere with the operation of the cable. Not only does heat shrink tubing provide a buffer against abrasion, liquids, and changes in temperature/humidity, it’s also a cost-effective means for cable organization and color-coding identification.

Let’s highlight some of the advantages of using heat shrink tubing to better understand how it improves reliability and maintenance of cables and just how valuable it is in your cable runs and builds.

Size and Color Customization

Depending on the vendor and manufacturer heat shrink tubing is measured in millimeters or inches based on the pre-shrink diameter of the tubing. At Show Me Cables, we list our heat shrink tubing in inches and carry 1/16, 3/32, 1/8, 3/16, ¼, 3/8, ½, ¾, 1, 1 ¼, and 2-inch heat shrink tubing with a 2:1 shrink ratio. The tube will become half of its original size once heat is applied (90 degrees Celsius). This ratio means that a pre-shrink diameter of 2 inches will shrink to 1 inch diameter once heat is applied.

With a variety of colors in each diameter, it’s easy to add some organizational color coding to your installation by applying cuts of colored heat shrink tubing to either end of a cable run. Heat shrink tubing is also a great means of bundling cables together and this color coding helps add to the organized grouping.

Protection

Heat shrink tubing is a quick and effective means of protecting cable terminations from any number of environmental risks posed to the cable. With a temperature range of -55 degrees Celsius to 125 degrees Celsius and the flame retardant nature of the shrink, it’s the perfect low-cost means for protecting cable ends and terminations.

As a protective covering, heat shrink tubing is also effective in applications where there is the potential for abrasion and scuffing in low impact settings. Whether that be plugging and unplugging cables or environments where a cable or connection is out in the open or prone to being interfered with by people or other equipment. It’s also great for keeping out unwanted moisture, residue, and even chemicals from sensitive cable connections.

 

If you need help finding the right set of heat shrink tubing for your next installation or project, give our experienced sales team a call at 636-519-9505.