IDEAL Industries 46-3XX Thermo-Shrink Thin-Wall Heat Shrink, 6" Length

Six expanded inside diameters: 1/8, 3/16, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 inch, all on 6 inch pieces. The part numbers run 46-310 (1/8"), 46-313 (3/16"), 46-319 (3/8"), 46-322 (1/2"), 46-325 (3/4") and 46-328 (1"). With a 2:1 shrink ratio each size pulls down to half its stated diameter, so pick a size that slides over the largest point of the splice or connector but no more than twice the finished diameter you want.

The IDEAL 46-3XX Thermo-Shrink thin-wall tubing meets UL 486D at 125 C, VW-1, 600V. The VW-1 flame rating and 600V rating are what inspectors look for on insulated splices and disconnect terminals in commercial panels and raceway work.

3M's FP-301 line is the closest cross-brand counterpart. The IDEAL 46-3XX Thermo-Shrink is a thin-wall polyolefin tubing with a 2:1 shrink ratio, 70 C minimum shrink temperature and a -55 C to +125 C operating range, meeting UL 486D 125 C VW-1 600V. 3M's FP301-2 is likewise described as a black polyolefin thin wall heat shrink tubing, and the FP301 single wall tubing covers the same single-wall, thin-wall construction.

If the sizes are unknown, an assorted kit answers it better than single-diameter sticks. The 3M FP301-332-TO-12-ASSRTED is an FP-301 assorted size kit of 48-inch flexible polyolefin lengths. The IDEAL 46-3XX Thermo-Shrink is instead ordered by a specific OD - 1/8, 3/16, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 inch - in 6-inch lengths, which suits a job where the wire gauges are already known.

Yes. The polyolefin is UV resistant and resists common fluids and solvents, and it is highly flame retardant. Note it is thin-wall and non-adhesive, so it insulates and protects mechanically but does not seal out moisture the way a dual-wall adhesive-lined tubing does. For a direct-buried or wet-location splice, use an adhesive-lined dual-wall product instead.

That is one of its intended uses. The 46-3XX thin-wall tubing is specified for bundling wires into very flexible light-duty harnesses, and the thin wall keeps the bundle pliable rather than stiffening it. For bundles, size up: at 2:1 the 3/4 inch and 1 inch pieces are the practical choices for multi-conductor groups, with the smaller 1/8 and 3/16 inch sizes suited to single conductors and terminal necks.

Both are single-wall flexible polyolefin. The IDEAL 46-3XX comes as 6 inch cut pieces in one diameter per part number, which suits a repair or a known splice count. 3M's FP-301 line is sold as continuous tubing, including the FP301-2 black polyolefin thin wall and an FP-301 assorted-size 48 inch kit covering multiple diameters in one box. If you want to cut your own lengths or keep several diameters on the truck, the assorted FP-301 kit is the better fit; if you want a fixed size in a fixed length, stay with the 46-3XX.

The IDEAL 46-3XX Thermo-Shrink is supplied in 6-inch lengths, sized for individual splices, disconnect terminals and in-line components. For longer runs, the 3M FP301-332-TO-12-ASSRTED kit supplies 48-inch flexible polyolefin lengths, and the 3M FP301 single wall tubing is offered as a header-labeled pack.

The IDEAL 46-3XX Thermo-Shrink is explicitly called out for bundling wires into very flexible light-duty harnesses, and it is highly flame-retardant, UV resistant and resistant to common fluids and solvents. The 3M FP-301 products are flexible polyolefin as well, with the assorted kit supplying 48-inch lengths - the longer length is the practical difference when a harness bundle spans more than a few inches.

It is RoHS compliant, and the material contains no PBBs or PBBEs. That matters on government, healthcare and institutional jobs where submittals require restricted-substance documentation on consumables as well as fixtures.

Yes for most in-line work. Each piece is 6 inches, which covers a disconnect terminal, an in-line component or a butt splice with overlap onto the insulation at both ends, and it can be cut shorter for terminal necks. For long cable runs or repeated jobs, continuous-length tubing like the 3M FP-301 is the more economical format.