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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: shmokes on August 22, 2008, 11:40:37 am

Title: What size heat shrink for 24 gauge wire?
Post by: shmokes on August 22, 2008, 11:40:37 am

I'm splicing together Ethernet cables.  Each of the wires is 24 gauge.  The heat shrink I have is all too big for that, but when I look online it is always sold in what appears to be diameter measurements.  Does anyone know what size I need?  1/16" is the smallest I've seen, so I assume that's what I need, but I don't want to order it (in spite of it being extremely cheap) unless I'm sure that it will tighten down on the wires like I need it to.  Does anybody know?

Title: Re: What size heat shrink for 24 gauge wire?
Post by: Franco B on August 22, 2008, 11:50:56 am

All of the heat shrink that I have used shrinks to about 50% of its pre-shrunk size. Ideally you want some heat shrink that just fits over your wire/wire+resistor etc.

Looking at some AWG charts, 24 gauge is 0.020" but obviously the insulation will increase the overall diameter. I'm not sure how thick the insulation will be but it wont be very thick.

1/16" is 0.0625" and I doubt you will have 0.015" of insulation each side of the wire (0.030" total) so I guess 1/16" heatshrink will be the one you want.