Wire Coverings & Protection Resources

Installing Heat Shrink Tubing

1. Measuring Your Tubing

Measure the heat shrink tubing to length and cut with scissors. The thickness of your bundle, as well as the desired final appearance, will determine the length of the tubing you cut.

Generally, a piece 1 1/2” - 2” long will accommodate almost any need (such as this bundle of 10 CAT-5 network cables). Single wires or smaller bundles will require shorter pieces.

2. Positioning the Tubing

Slip the tubing over the bundle and position it so that both the sleeved and unsleeved portions are sufficiently covered.

Notice the small pieces of tubing installed on single wires as part of a color coding system. If your project requires multiple operations, always work up from the smallest to the largest bundle.

3. Finishing the Installation

Gently apply heat from a heat gun or torch with an appropriate diffusion attachment. Keep the heat source far enough away so that hot metal or direct flame doesn’t come in contact with the tubing, wires or sleeving. Move the heat around the bundle to prevent damaging the sleeving and to ensure that all areas of the tubing have been shrunk to their limits. Be patient and work slowly. Once cooled, your installation is complete.