If you’re a DIY lover, electrician, or professional handyman, you could benefit from some heat shrink connectors. There are lots of products on the market, but none that compare to Wirefy Heat Shrink Connectors. Wirefy is one of the leading brands in this space, and they consistently produce excellent products.
Wirefy Heat Shrink Connectors are made from adhesive lined polyolefin, a versatile and highly resistant material popular in military, aerospace, and railway applications. Its inner liner melts and adheres to the contents for a more secure fit.
At Wirefy, we’d like to give you the best electrical connector experience by providing an in-depth review that looks at our product under a microscope. You’ll see the main features and benefits, as well as how to use heat shrink connectors properly.
The Main Features Of Wirefy Heat Shrink Connectors
Wirefy Heat Shrink Connectors come with lots of key features that immediately stand out:
- 3:1 Shrink Ratio - This means the electrical connectors will shrink down to three times their original size. What’s the benefit of this? Well, it gives you a much tighter fit with no gaps. This ensures the connector doesn’t just pull off if the wire is tugged. It can also mean the connection is completely waterproof and won’t let any moisture into the wire. Using a heat gun is essential for shrinking the connectors over the wires to achieve this tight fit.
- Brazed Seam - The metal end of the connector terminals is brazed together rather than butted. Most heat shrink connectors will have a gap in the middle creating a seam. The problem with this is that it tends to break when crimped. Wirefy Heat Shrink Connectors have a brazed seal, meaning the metal is soldered together and there are no gaps. So, when crimped, the connector doesn’t break and stays solid. Again, this also ensures the wire can’t be pulled out, allowing for a more permanent connection.
- Copper Barrels - When using the Wirefy Heat Shrink Connectors, they provide a higher level of conductivity than other products from other manufacturers. The quality of this product is even apparent when looking at the packaging. These electrical connectors are made from pure copper. This allows for an increased current flow and no voltage drop. More than that, the copper is covered by a layer of tin to protect against corrosion.
- A Wide Range Of Electrical Connectors - Inside the Wirefy heat shrink connector kit, you get multiple wire connectors that can be used for so many different electrical projects. There are rings, butt splices, spades, hooks, and forks. Plus, you get 1080 pieces in total, so there’s more than enough to keep you going for a very long time.
Already, you can tell this is a high-quality product that’s worth investing in. These features aren’t typically found in many other heat shrink connectors on the market. What’s more, boasting these features means these connectors have some unique benefits that make your jobs much easier. It is crucial to properly install the connectors to ensure a secure fit and optimal performance.
The Benefits Of Wirefy Heat Shrink Connectors
In general, heat shrink connectors and heat shrink tubing have some significant benefits. Some of these include:
- The ability to protect wires against abrasion
- Can keep out dust and other contaminants that might disrupt the wiring
- You’re able to collect and organize wires in one tube/connector
- You have the ability to connect loose wires to one another and maintain a strong current
- You give wires and electrical components more structure and support, reducing the chances of them breaking
- There’s improved electrical and thermal insulation
- Provides strain relief, prolonging the lifespan of cables
All of these benefits are present in the Wirefy Heat Shrink Connectors set. However, the unique features of this product mean you see enhanced benefits. For example, the brazed seam barrel and adhesive nature of the connectors mean you get a much tighter seal. In turn, your wires are now completely protected from any water or moisture.
Secondly, they have a low shrink temperature, so you don’t need extreme heat to activate the adhesive and get the connector to shrink down to size.
Wirefy Heat Shrink Connectors also offer more durability and protection for the insulation. The rubber outside is designed to withstand the elements and the copper inside means it holds up against harsh forces - like someone accidentally stepping on the wire (check out our heat shrink butt connectors).
Speaking of which, the tinned lining over the copper gives better corrosion resistance. Not only is the wiring protected from water, but so are the metal parts. This means they are built to last, so you won’t have to constantly keep changing connectors due to corrosion or water damage.
Wirefy also offers terminal kits that include various types of connectors for different applications.
What Are Heat Shrink Connectors & How Do You Use Them with a Heat Gun?
Heat shrink connectors - sometimes called heat shrink tubing - are small pieces of plastic that connect loose wires to other structures. You can either connect a wire to another wire or hook it up to a different electrical contraption. It all depends on what you’re working on, but the idea is they help connect one wire to another part of the circuit. The inner coating of polymer film in heat shrink connectors creates a secure electrical connection between wires, allowing you to join and protect them simultaneously.
How do you use heat shrink connectors?
These small products are very easy to use, just follow these steps:
- Choose your connector based on your needs - for example, ring connectors attach wires to studs or posts
- Insert the wire into the heat shrink connector, ensuring it’s pressed up against the conductive tube
- Use a crimping device to crimp down on the connector - this basically melds the metal around the wire and keeps it in place
- Use a heat source to activate the adhesive and shrink the connector so the outer material wraps around the wire at the end
- Let everything cool down and give your wire a tug, it should stay in place with the connector attached
Why Choose Wirefy Heat Shrink Connectors?
Yes, there are plenty of other brands out there, but Wirefy Heat Shrink Connectors are a cut above the rest. As explained earlier, they possess all of the general benefits of heat shrink connectors but are taken to new levels.
These electrical connectors offer more durability, better insulation, enhanced waterproof capabilities, improved conductivity, and protection from corrosion. They provide you with everything you could possibly need, and the kit comes with lots of different variations to suit any task.
So, if you need heat shrink connectors, Wirefy's heat shrink connectors are the way to go.
Heat Shrink Connectors FAQ's
What are heat shrink connectors, and how do they work?
Heat shrink connectors are electrical connectors that use heat-shrinkable tubing to create a secure, insulated, and waterproof connection. When heat is applied to the tubing, it shrinks and tightly conforms to the shape of the wire and connector, sealing the connection and providing protection against moisture, dust, and mechanical strain.
What types of applications are heat shrink connectors suitable for?
Heat shrink connectors are ideal for a variety of applications, including automotive wiring, marine and boating electrical systems, outdoor and underground wiring projects, and any other environments where moisture resistance and durable connections are crucial. They are also commonly used in home electrical repairs and DIY projects.
How do I ensure a proper seal with heat shrink connectors?
To ensure a proper seal with heat shrink connectors, start by selecting the correct size connector for your wire gauge. Strip the wire ends and insert them into the connector barrel, crimping them securely. Use a heat gun to evenly apply heat around the tubing, allowing it to shrink fully and the adhesive to melt and flow, creating a watertight seal. Allow the connector to cool before handling or applying any stress to the connection.