Heat Shrink Tubing How-To: Measuring the Right Size

This entry is the first in our newest series of How-To Videos.  In these videos, we will show you the proper way to handle many common situations you can come across when dealing with wire and cable.  For instance, in this entry, we show you the proper techniques for measuring your cables before ordering heat shrink tubing to ensure a proper fit.  Check out the rest of the entry for written instructions that follow the video.  If there’s any topic you would like to see explained, let us know!

If you can’t see the heat shrink tubing video above, click here to watch it on our website, or here to see it on our YouTube Channel.

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Heat Shrink Tubing is a versatile material that can be used for patching, strengthening, sealing and more.  The best part about it is the ease of installation: when heat is applied, it shrinks.  As straight forward as the name is, however, it can be confusing when it comes to ordering your tubing.  Understanding the product is essential to getting the right measurements before you choose your tubing size.

How to Properly Install THHN Cable During Cold Weather

Cold weather can wreak havoc on your skin, your heating bill and the air pressure in your tires, but did you also know that it can destroy your THHN cable if it’s not handled properly?

THHN cable by nature can become stiff at lower temperatures.  Made of thermoplastic materials like PVC and Nylon, temperatures lower than 14°F can make it susceptible to cracking.

To make sure that your THHN cable doesn’t crack during installation, there are a few simple steps to follow:

• Store cable indoors when the weather turns cold; a stable temperature of 65°F is best.
• If this is not possible, bring the cable inside at this temperature for 24 hours before installation
• Never install THHN cable when the temperature outside is below 14°F
• While exposed to cold temperatures, do not drop it to the floor and protect the cable from impacts from other objects as this can crack the stiffened material.

After proper installation, THHN cable can safely operate in outside temperatures below 14°F given that it remains stationary.

Click here to view the specs of our THHN cable