Robin wrote:

As someone who has not yet tried crimping for mains wiring I found this
very helpful. It left me with two small questions:

(i) wd it be helpful/possible to give a steer as to what size heatshrink
is suitable for common applications (eg 1.0mm and 2.5 twin & earth)?

Yup, that's probably worth adding. (that was 12.7mm/ half inch tube I
was using)

I
ask as TLC list 6mm etc heatshrink which left me scratching around to
find out if this is diameter or radius or what; and then off to work out
the circumference of "flat" cable. I think I got there in the end (eg
6242Y 2.5mm is approximately 9.5 x 5.25 so circumference rounds up to
30mm; heat shrink appears to be quoted by diameter so 12mm starts off at
38mm which should slide on and shrink nicely). But (a) I could be wrong
and (b) even if I am right in principle, in practice........?

That sounds plausible. However each manufacturer may use a different way
of describing it. Diameter does seem to be common though.

(ii) when doing a few bits of heatshrinking for car and other low
voltage electrics over the years I found (in the days when I smoked) a
cheap, disposable cigarette lighter a handy tool. Would one of them be
ineffective (or otherwise unacceptable)?

No, it will work ok. Its a bit harder to direct than the proper hot air
tool, but I usually use a gas flame of some sort (a mini blow torch in
most cases)

Sorry if I am looking to be spoon-fed too much.

Not at all, not much use as a tutorial if it leave important questions
unanswered.

--
Cheers,

John.

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