Any electrical product, whether in your home or business, probably has some form of heat shrink tubing in it. That said, not too many people know what it is or why it is used.
Heat shrink tubing is a durable thermoplastic tubing that is designed to shrink in size when placed around wires or cables and then heated. The tubing is available in various materials, thickness, sizes, and colors. Generally, the sizing of the shrink tubing is classified by the shrink ratio (e.g., 2-1 ratio means the heat shrink will shrink to two times its diameter).
Heat shrink tubing is a common tool used by electricians, within the transportation field, and even by the military.
Here are some common uses for heat shrink tubing.
Protecting Wires and Cables
Heat shrink tubing protects wires and cables from accidental cuts, friction, abrasion, and other possible damages. As a protective shield, the tubing can prevent ends of wiring and cables from fraying by covering the ends. Environmental damage can include water, acids, oils, temperature fluctuations, and humidity. The tubing can also add support to wires and connectors to prevent strain as it acts as another layer of material.
Insulating the Wires
As an insulator, heat shrink tubing covers the connectors and the wiring itself. It can be used to replace flimsy insulation existing on the wires. With the tubing material being a repellent against cold and extreme hot temperatures, it protects the delicate workings of the object it surrounds. It can also insulate electrical wires and prevent accidental electrocution when the wires are touched. In comparison to other insulator sources, heat shrink tubing offers a tight fit without wearing down over time.
Bundling Cables
Tired of seeing cables laying around the television or computer desk? Heat shrink tubing can be used to gather and bunch the cables together for better organization. This can also be used in any electrical scene where wires and cables are astray. It helps to move everything as one unit for maintenance and cleaning.
Rust Protection
A formidable force, heat shrink tubing can also be used to protect piping, joints, and other metal fixings. Often times the insulation coating on stainless steel can diminish during welding or other work. By placing tubing around with the custom adhesive, the tough protector can prevent rust from forming.
Easy Color-Coding and Labeling
One of the best advantages of applying custom heat shrink tubing is the ability to use different colors to separate the function or use of the wiring. Using a red tubing can indicate piping as “hot” or positive wiring. Black tubing can refer to negative wiring and using blue heat shrink can indicate “cold”. Heat shrink tubing can be customized to have one’s business name or the actual function of the object written on the tubing to help improve efficiency and avoid confusion.
Get Custom-Printed Heat Shrink Tubing Today!
For all of your custom-printed heat shrink tubing needs, rely on the experts at ShrinkShop. As the online distributor of adhesive lined Thermafix Plus and Thermafix Heat Shrinkable Tubing, we have the supplies and accessories for all heat shrink tubing jobs. Our technicians offer customized coloring and labeling with text, pictures, and imaging. Contact us today to discuss your heat shrink tubing options.