Heat shrink tubing is a form of plastic tubing that contracts or shrinks in size when heat is applied to it. It's most common application is in electrical wiring, where the plastic tubes are shrunk down to fit around exposed wires. They provide insulation and abrasion resistance, and they are even used to bundle wires when necessary. Heat shrink tubing is also an economical and effective way to protect wire splices and bare wires.

Heat shrink tubing comes in a variety of colors, flexibility levels, and temperature sensitivities for different applications, ranging from military and sensitive electrical applications, to more common ones.

All heat shrink tubes are manufactured and stretched to a certain diameter. Interestingly enough, the "shrinking" process actually restores the tubing to its original size, as the stretching process is the actual alteration.

Make sure the diameter you are using is the correct diameter for your wiring. It's usually stamped on the tubing or the package as a ratio, which indicates the stretched size first and the shrinking size second. For instance, a 2:1 diameter means the tube will shrink to half the size of its current diameter. Other common sizes include 2:1, 4:1, 5:1, and 6:1.

Regardless of the application or size, all heat shrink tubing needs one thing to operate properly: heat. It's important to realize that heat sources that may be used in one setting may cause a fire or explosion in another. For example, heat sources that employ an open flame, such as candles or matches, will work to shrink the tubing, but they may also char or burn through the tubing. Be sure to read thoroughly before attempting to heat your tubes.

Hot Air

Electrical tools that blow hot air are a safe and effective way to provide indirect heat to any tubing. Such tools include heat guns, such as the ones used for stripping paint, or even household blow dryers that are used on your hair. (Note that the blow dryers may not always shrink the tubing, as the plastic must get very hot to actually shrink. Not all blow dryers are able to achieve such high temperatures.)

•HS3.2 Heatshrink: 5x170mm lengths of each phase colour.

•HS4.8 Heatshrink: 5x170mm lengths of each phase colour.

•HS6.4 Heatshrink: 5x170mm lengths of each phase colour.

•HS9.5 Heatshrink: 5x170mm lengths of each phase colour.

•HS12.7 Heatshrink: 5x170mm lengths of each phase colour.

•HS19 Heatshrink: 5x170mm lengths of each phase colour.

•HS25 Heatshrink: 5x170mm lengths of each phase colour.

•HS3.2 Heatshrink: 2x170mm lengths of clear.

•HS4.8 Heatshrink: 2x170mm lengths of clear.

•HS6.4 Heatshrink: 2x170mm lengths of clear.

•HS9.5 Heatshrink: 2x170mm lengths of clear.

•HS12.7 Heatshrink: 2x170mm lengths of clear.

•HS19 Heatshrink: 2x170mm lengths of clear.

•HS25 Heatshrink: 2x170mm lengths of clear.

•Kit Box: A46.