The quality best insulation of electrical cable joints offers multiple benefits including enhanced protection against short circuits, increased safety for the workforce, and the toughest seal against environmental factors that contribute to improved performance. The latest security compliance for electrical installations also demands the certified-class insulation of all the cable joints including connections to different terminals. Heat shrink tubes also called heat shrink sleeves are drawing the large-scale attention of engineers and consultants to secure the cable joints at repairing sections or connection terminals.
What are Heat shrink tubes?
A heat shrink tube or sleeve is a thermoplastic tube made of Polyolefin, adhesive-lined Polyolefin, PVC. It shrinks on being heated at a certain temperature. When placed around the cable and electrical components, heat shrink tube shrinks radially to tight fit the area creating a protective insulation layer. Adhesive-lined Polyolefin heat shrink tubes are the advanced version of Polyolefin heat shrink tubes; these are used to fill the fill voids and ensure a close fit in HV installations. PVC heat shrink tubes are less expensive than Polyolefin heat shrink tubes but the temperature threshold is 105°C.
Should You Use Heat Shrink Tubes For Your Electrical Installation? The Importance
Easy to use versatile power cable insulation accessory, heat shrink sleeves or tubes offer many benefits that you generally miss in traditional insulation practices; some of the key benefits that justify to use heat shrink tubes are-
- Protection against mechanical impacts, cutting edges, corrosion, and abrasion
- Protection against chemicals, water, dust, and environmental contaminants
- Professional-looking management of wires and cables for the ease in maintenance
- Good-looking appearance of electrical installation
- Enhanced electrical & thermal insulation
- Enhanced structural support reduces strain on connectors, components, and wires
- Color choice for easy identification of cables
- Electrical noise reduction because of reduced electromagnetic waves
Types of heat shrink sleeves or heat shrink tubes
We can divide heat shrink tubes, manufactured by top brands like Gala Thermo, into four broad categories – single wall, adhesive lined, heavy-duty, and special purpose. Within each category, there are different types of heat shrink tubes innovated and manufactured to be used for specific purposes in particular application environments.
Single Wall Polyolefin Sleeves:
- Flexible General Purpose – 2:1
- Flame-Retardant – 2:1
- Very Flexible – 3:1
- Semi-Rigid – 2:1
Adhesive-Lined Polyolefin Sleeves:
- Multiple Wall – 2.5:1
- Environmental Protection Sleeve – 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1
Medium & Heavy Duty Sleeves:
- Medium-Duty – 3:1
- Heavy-Duty – 3:1
Special Purpose Sleeves:
- Polyvinylidene Fluoride (Kynar) – 2:1
- Modified Neoprene – 2:1
- Fluoroelastomer (Viton) – 2:1
- Polytetrafluoroethylene – 2:1
- PVC – 2:1
Heat Shrink Tubes Embraced Globally
Heat shrink tubes are finding increasing applications in innovative ways to improve product appearance and performance like in Cable jacketing, temperature probe covers, Roll covers, Chafing sleeves, Light duty bearing surfaces, cable insulation, wire bundling, etc. Global heat shrink tubing market and users can be segmented based on type, voltage range, material, shrink ratio, and end-user. The increasing use of heat-shrink tubes and other power cable accessories in different trades is driving the global market. According to a report by Data Bridge Market Research, the global heat shrink tubing market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% in the forecast period of 2023 to 2030. The figures show that quality-conscious manufacturers, engineers, industrial consultants, technicians, and contactors are embracing heat shrink tubes with increasing reliance on heat shrink power cable accessories.