US $25.99
Heat Shrink Tubing: What is it, how to use and how to choose
What is ...
Pipeline heat shrink is exactly what its name suggests, is a tube that shrinks when heat is applied. Can be used for a wide range of purposes and can be useful for both preventive maintenance and repairs.
How to use ...
Heat shrink tubing is can be used in different ways. Common preventive maintenance applications include relieving stress, providing additional insulation and sealing the cable.
When heat shrink tubing is applied to the terminals or connectors, can help relieve physical stress caused by flexing and bending. While the bending and flexing can damage the insulation and even the cable conductor, a layer of heat shrink tubing helps to withstand the impact of cable, even in cables with built-in strain relief. For Flex applications more challenging, requiring more robust strain relief, semi-rigid heat shrink tubing is recommended.
Not only can heat shrink tubing to provide additional strain relief, but can also provide isolation additional. Heat shrink tubing has high electrical qualities making it ideal for use with connections, terminations and circuit applications that require protection additional environmental and electrical.
Heat shrink tubing also provides an additional layer of protection for the cable, working as a sealant. It can be placed on supports, connections, joints and spaces to protect them from moisture, chemicals and dust. Pipes defends against environmental risks through UV, oxidation, corrosion and abrasion resistance as well.
Although heat shrink tubing can be used in many applications of preventive maintenance, but can also be very useful when performing repairs. If the reviews are temporary or permanent heat shrink tubes can be used to cover damaged cable jackets, insulation, connections or splices. It becomes a quick and easy while waiting for the cable to be replaced, but also works effectively enough to serve as a permanent repair in some cases.
To the to repair the jacket or insulation, be sure to check the rest of the cable is not damaged. Look to see the driver and any insulation between the individual wires to prevent short circuits are intact.
Finally, heat shrink tubing can be used only to make life a little easier. You can group and organize the cables or simply check the circuits for the identification of cables. Heat shrink tubing is available in a wide variety of colors and can be printed with permanent tags, so the brand is simple circuits.
How choose ...
There are several factors to consider when choosing the heat shrink tubing. Beyond the usual considerations of the values of temperature and stress, environmental hazards and other application requirements involved in the choice of cable products, heat shrink tubing requires attention to some details.
First are size requirements to ensure that the heat shrink fit perfectly into your application and work the way more effectively. The diameter of the sleeve is crucial in the heat shrink tubing. The tube must be large enough in its original state fit large or irregular surfaces, but must also be a final diameter small enough to ensure that it will be reduced to fit tightly around the sides. That's where the proportion of reduction comes into play
The contraction ratio indicates how small the tube will once heat is applied. These ratios usually range from 6:01 to 2:01. Pipe with a ratio of 2:1, the final product will be half its original size when heated. Pipe with a ratio of 6:1 in its original state, will be six times greater than the final size of the pipe after that is shrinking. These retractable high proportions make room for irregular pieces, allowing the tube to slide over large objects, while reduced enough for a perfect fit in smaller sections. This is important to ensure that the heat shrink provides a proper fit and an effective seal.
Other considerations are the wall thickness and stiffness. The requirements for these depend on the individual application. Rigid tube with thick walls may be necessary for applications where extreme durability and stress relief are the main concerns. For other uses, the tubes thin-walled or less rigid may be perfectly adequate.
Another thing to consider when choosing heat shrink is like the tube is heated. Consider addition of a heat gun to your order. Heat guns are recommended, as they provide control over temperature and airflow. However, butane torches also can be used to apply heat. Ideally, the heat is applied evenly over the entire surface of the pipe.
The shrink temperature also varies from material to material, so be sure to check that the temperature is realistic for each application.
Although these are important things to consider when choosing heat shrink tubing is a tool well worth the thought. It may be useful in many situations, from large projects to small details, repair factory marked important single circuit.
Now that you know more about the heat shrink tubing, which is, how to use and how to choose, go ahead and start looking for the perfect reduce heat pipe solution for your needs.
About the Author
Tim Flynn is the President of Allied Wire and Cable, a leading value-added distributor of electrical wire, cable, tubing, connectors, and accessories, headquartered in Collegeville, PA. Tim, a graduate of Drexel University, has been President of AWC for its entire 20+ years in business, and he has guided the rapid growth of the customer-focused, relationship-based company. For more about AWC, please visit: http://www.awcwire.com/