How to Expand Heat Shrink Tubing

This article will show you how to expand electrical-insulating heat shrink tubing by stretching it.[1]

Steps

  1. Image titled Expand Heat Shrink Tubing Step 1
    1
    Select the right tool for the size of the heat shrink tubing you want to expand.

    Most smaller tubing is easy to stretch with needle-nose pliers. If possible, find a pair with extended ends to accommodate longer sections of tubing.[2]
  2. Image titled Expand Heat Shrink Tubing Step 2
    2
    To stretch larger tubing, use a combination of two pliers to expand the tubing as shown in this illustration.
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  3. Image titled Expand Heat Shrink Tubing Step 3
    3
    Insert the tweezers or pliers into the tubing as far as possible. Make sure the tool used is completely closed.
  4. Image titled Expand Heat Shrink Tubing Step 4
    4
    Pull the pliers apart slowly to open up the ends. If using tweezers, use a jeweler's screwdriver to help pry the tweezers apart.
  5. Image titled Expand Heat Shrink Tubing Step 5
    5
    Stretch the tubing only a little at a time to avoid tearing or puncturing it.
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    6
    Close the tweezers or pliers and rotate the tubing slightly.
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    7
    Repeat steps 2 through 5 until you have rotated the tubing enough to return to your starting point.[3]
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    8
    Flip the tubing to so that the other end of it fits over the tweezers or pliers, and repeat the above steps.
  9. Image titled Expand Heat Shrink Tubing Step 9
    9
    The tubing is now ready for use.
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    What's the right way to put heat shrink tubing on a wire?
    Marvin Woo
    Marvin Woo
    Licensed Electrician
    Marvin Woo is a licensed electrician and the Owner of Woo's Electrical & Appliance based in East O’ahu. With over two decades of experience, he specializes in troubleshooting issues and maintaining residential electrical systems. Marvin is both licensed and insured to complete electrical work in the state of Hawaii.
    Marvin Woo
    Marvin Woo
    Licensed Electrician
    Expert Answer
    Place the section of heat shrink tubing onto your wire before you actually fuse it on. Once in place, center the heat shrink tubing on the wire and use a heat gun to apply heat to all sides of the tubing, which will evenly shrink it.
  • Question
    How do I know if I have heat shrink tubing that's the right size for my wire?
    Marvin Woo
    Marvin Woo
    Licensed Electrician
    Marvin Woo is a licensed electrician and the Owner of Woo's Electrical & Appliance based in East O’ahu. With over two decades of experience, he specializes in troubleshooting issues and maintaining residential electrical systems. Marvin is both licensed and insured to complete electrical work in the state of Hawaii.
    Marvin Woo
    Marvin Woo
    Licensed Electrician
    Expert Answer
    Generally, heat shrink tubing should be just slightly larger in diameter than the wire you want to insulate so that it's easy to slip on. When you heat the heat shrink tubing, it will then fit perfectly around your wire.
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Warnings

  • Be gentle with delicate tweezers. Using any metal object to pry them apart, as in the illustrations above, can damage them.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Be careful when cutting off sections of the sleeving. If the cut is uneven or jagged, that will make the tubing more susceptible to tearing when stretched.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Expanding any tubing beyond its original size changes its thickness and may affects its dielectric withstanding voltage. If your project or application of expanded tubing is already within close tolerances, test an expanded section of tubing first, in a safe, controlled environment.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXVDttykxIA
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRua0PINTog
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP2x9eqCr6I

About This Article

Marvin Woo
Co-authored by:
Marvin Woo
Licensed Electrician
This article was co-authored by Marvin Woo. Marvin Woo is a licensed electrician and the Owner of Woo's Electrical & Appliance based in East O’ahu. With over two decades of experience, he specializes in troubleshooting issues and maintaining residential electrical systems. Marvin is both licensed and insured to complete electrical work in the state of Hawaii. This article has been viewed 116,471 times.
1 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 17
Updated: January 23, 2023
Views: 116,471
Categories: Featured Articles | Electrical Wiring and Safety Switches
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