Protecting Critical Wiring Connections From The Weather And Corrosion
Posted on: 8 November 2018
Anytime you have wiring that is exposed to weather or the elements, you have the potential for problems. If you have splices or connections in the wire, there is a chance that the connection can be affected and stop working. Taking steps to ensure that the wire continues to work as it was intended is important and easier than you might think.
Creating Solid Connections
Connecting two or more wires is not uncommon, and the process is not that difficult. In most cases, all you need to do is remove about 1/4 -inch of the insulation on each wire and twist them together. While that will connect them, that also leaves the wire exposed, so you need to protect the connection with something. Electrical tape will work for a while, but over time, it will allow water in, and the connection can be compromised. Wire nuts are good for holding the wire together, but they will not keep out water.
Keeping Out the Weather and Water
When you connect the wires, soldering the wires is a good way to keep them protected from being pulled apart and from corrosion. An excellent way to keep the wires connected is to place a piece of FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) shrink tubing over the connections and seal the joint. The tubing is very sensitive to heat so once the tubing is positioned over the connection applying heat from a small torch will cause the tubing to constrict over the wires. Most FEP tubing has glue inside that is activated by the heat as well.
Benefits of FEP Shink Tubing
The tubing has a lot of favorable properties that make it a good fit in many cases. The tubing is cheap, easy to apply, and shrinking it makes it nearly impossible to remove. Shrink tubing comes in many different sizes and colors, so you need to be sure to get the right tubing for your application. If you are not sure what to buy, talk to an associate at the electrical supply or where you are purchasing the FEP tubing. Most of the tubing on the market has a rating that will help you select the right size range just by the size wire you are using.
If you are making a simple connection, use the recommended size shrink tubing, but if you connect three or more wires, you will need to trial fit the tubing to see what it will cover. You may need to go up a size or even two to get all the wires inside the tubing before you shrink it.
For additional information, reach out to companies like Tef-Cap Industries.
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