Heat Shrink Sleeves- The Best Alternative to Conventional Taping

Heat shrink technology is playing an important role in making the electrical installations protective against environmental and usage impacts. The technology was introduced decades before but it remained almost neglected to be accepted by the industries unless now, when, there is increasing awareness to reduce the electrical accidents caused mainly because of poor insulation. Heat shrink sleeves are getting adaptability to new applications to make the electrical installations long lasting and accident free even in robust environments.

Why You Need To Switchover To Heat Shrink Sleeves From Conventional Taping:

Conventional taping poses several risks and corrosion insulation limitations because of different reasons.

  • Electrical tapes are not much durable in harsh conditions as you find in industrial settings.
  • These can be snapped easily because of mechanical pressures.
  • Conventional taping needs larger area to insulate the product/joint.
  • Many types of insulation tape are flammable.
  • Twisting electrical wires together and insulating with electrical tape is an unsuitable insulation method that doesn’t meet safety standards.

Tailored To Application Heat Shrink Tubes:

Heat shrink sleeves or tubes are cylindrical shaped tubes available in a variety of lengths and thicknesses. These are used to make the electrical connections, cables, and joints insulated against electrical shocks, short-circuits and corrosion impacts. The selection can be made based on application type and the particular concern. The custom-to-application heat-shrink sleeves are available in following categories-

Thin Wall Tubes: These are available in two sub-categories- GSC series and GSC/YG series. GSC Series sleeves are used for corrosion protection and electrical insulation of in-line components like bus-bar connections. Heat shrink sleeves of GSC/YG series with yellow and green strips are often used for ground lead insulation applications.

Medium/Heavy Wall Tubes: These are often used for environmental protection of low voltage cable insulation and termination protection. GHW (heavy wall) tubes are commonly used for protection against mechanical impacts. The heat shrink sleeves manufacturers provide online assistance to help you choose the best suitable heat shrink tube whether you need corrosion protection tubes, cable repair sleeves, or pipeline joint sleeves.

Red Insulation Tubes: These halogen free insulation tubes are used for power cable joints insulation. These have excellent Di-electric strength. The tensile strength is 12 N/mm2. The code reflects maximum and minimum diameter in mm; for example, GRT 95/30 red insulation tube has 95MM maximum diameter and 30MM minimum diameter.

Non Tracking Tubes: These are used to insulate medium voltage cable terminations and joints up to 36 KV. Spool length is the major selection criteria in addition to dimensions, elongation, hardness, and longitudinal change characteristics.

Busbar Tubes: These are used to protect 36KV busbar systems and MV switchgear applications up to 36 KV. These provide excellent protection against accidental flashovers. Medium wall busbar tubes can be used up to 24KV, while heavy wall busbar tubes can be used up to 36KV.

Stress Control Tubes: These black colored cable repair sleeves are used to safeguard electrical connections against electrical stress often present at insulating screen terminals and cable joints up to 36KV. The operational temperature range is 40°C to 100°C.

 Pro-tip:

As the heat shrink technology is getting wider scaled acknowledgement and acceptance for being an affordable yet the robust insulation technology, the leading manufacturers and suppliers of heat shrink sleeves and corrosion protection tubes are advancing their support model to educate the end user.