Collection: Sleeving and Protection

Which cable sleeve to choose for boat wiring?

The heat-shrink sleeve is placed over a cable or connection and shrinks when heated; the split sleeve is used to bundle and protect a harness. The choice depends on the required function and the actual dimensions of the part to be covered.

Heat-shrink with or without adhesive

For insulation and identification of a conductor, consider black or red heat-shrink sleeves without adhesive. A sleeve with an adhesive lining, such as the black adhesive heat-shrink sleeve per meter or the TE Connectivity 4:1 models, can help protect a connection from moisture if the product is correctly sized and installed. The presence of adhesive alone does not guarantee the watertightness of the entire installation.

How to choose the diameter?

Measure the largest part the sleeve must pass over, then the diameter of the area it must grip. Compare these measurements to the inside diameter before and after shrinkage shown on the manufacturer’s datasheet: a 3:1 or 4:1 marking describes the shrink ratio, not the final diameter of your assembly. Also allow for the length required after heating, as some sleeves shorten.

Protecting an already-assembled harness

To guide and protect multiple cables without removing their connectors, the Ancor 453502 split corrugated sleeve provides a bundling solution. It does not replace individual conductor insulation or mechanical protection suited to passage points. See also the full electrical wiring range.

Manufacturer sources: TE Connectivity sizing guide, ATUM adhesive sleeve and Ancor 2024 catalogue, split sleeve.