Finding the correct cable sleeve size is crucial for optimal protection and organization of your cables. The right sleeve guards against environmental hazards and enhances the overall functionality and life span of your cable system.

Atkins & Pearce offers a wide variety of high-quality braided sleeving solutions to protect your wires, cables, hoses, and wire assemblies from twisting, bending, heat, abrasion, and other environmental stressors. With so many choices, deciding what cable sleeving size you need for your project can seem daunting. This guide will help you determine the perfect fit.

How to Determine the Right Cable Sleeve Size

Cable sleeve size often refers to the inner diameter of the sleeve, which should be slightly larger or smaller than the diameter of your cable or bundle of cables, depending on your desired fit.

How to Measure Cable Sleeve Size

1. Measure cable diameter: Use calipers to accurately measure your cable or cable bundle diameter.
2. Consider the desired fit: Decide if you prefer a snug or loose fit.
3. Select sleeve diameter: For a snug fit, choose a sleeve diameter slightly smaller than your cable diameter. For a loose fit, choose a diameter slightly larger.
4. Adjust for length: Braided cable sleeves can contract in length when expanded in diameter. Add a few centimeters to the cable’s length to account for this contraction.

Cable Sleeve Material Options 

Here’s a brief overview of some popular sleeving material options at Atkins & Pearce:

• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET): PET is abrasion-resistant, ideal for environments up to 125 degrees Celsius (257 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE): UL VW-1 Rated for flame resistance, this also provides low smoke generation and is suitable for applications with stringent flammability requirements.
• Nylon: This material is lightweight, flexible, and abrasion-resistant, suitable for automotive and cable assemblies.
• Polyether ether ketone (PEEK): This is ideal for high-temperature environments and biomedical applications due to its flame resistance and ability to endure thousands of sterilization cycles.
• Perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA): PFA has excellent chemical resistance and low moisture absorption. It is suitable for high-temperature applications, withstanding up to 260 degrees Celsius (500 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS): Lightweight and highly resistant to chemicals and temperatures up to 150 degrees Celsius (302 degrees Fahrenheit), this material is ideal for aerospace and telecommunications industries.

Why Trust Atkins & Pearce for Cable Sleeves?

We have been in business for over two centuries, and during that time, we have delivered thousands of unique solutions to our customers. With our 13,000+ braiding machines, we create high-performance fiber products for the most demanding environments.

Contact Us for More Information on How to Choose a Cable Sleeve

Contact Atkins & Pearce for more information on choosing a cable sleeve size and to explore our wide range of cable protection solutions. Our experts are ready to help you find the appropriate cable sleeving and achieve optimal cable protection.

Soy candle-making is both an art and a science, requiring the right materials to produce the perfect candle. Finding the best wicks for soy candles is an essential component. Not all wicks are created equal, and choosing the best candle wicks for soy can transform your products from ordinary to extraordinary.

How Do I Know What Wick to Use in My Candle?

Choosing the proper wick helps you achieve the best performance for your candles. Some key considerations to help you determine which wick to use include:

• Understanding your wax: Different waxes have different properties and requirements. Soy wax is denser than paraffin, meaning it needs a hotter flame to effectively melt. One-hundred percent soy wax candles can burn anywhere from 35% to 50% longer than paraffin wax.
• The candle’s diameter:The diameter of candles is an essential factor in wick selection. Larger diameter candles require candle wicks thick enough to produce larger flames and melt the wax evenly.
• Consider additives and fragrance load: Additives and fragrances significantly affect how a candle burns along with the wax selection. Reviewing different candle wicks can help you find the right match for high fragrance loads.

Why HTP Wicks Are Ideal for Soy Candles

When making soy candles, the right wick prevents common issues like tunneling and uneven burning. Soy wax, known for its dense and viscous nature, requires a wick that can effectively manage these properties — the best wick for soy wax is often an HTP wick.

Our HTP wicks are crafted to merge the benefits of self-trimming wicks with the rigidity found in cored wicks. This unique combination results in a wick that maintains its posture throughout the burn. It also burns hotter than zinc wicks, ensuring a more complete and even melt pool across the entire surface of the soy wax. This improves the candle’s aesthetic quality and maximizes fragrance release.

HTP wicks are ideal for handling complex, high-additive, and tough-to-burn formulations commonly found in today’s diverse candle market. Besides providing an optimal burn for soy wax, it is also an excellent choice for paraffin wax, gel wax, and vegetable wax candle systems.

Are Zinc Wicks Good for Soy Candles?

Zinc wicks are not the best option for soy wax candles. These wicks tend to burn at a cooler temperature, which might not be sufficient to melt soy wax properly. This often results in tunneling, where the wax near the edges remains unburnt, thus wasting wax and diminishing the aesthetic appeal and efficiency of the candle.

Enhance Your Soy Candles With HTP Wicks

Experience the difference in soy candle making with Atkin’s & Pearce’s HTP wicks. Get support for your candle-making ambitions with our expertise and high-quality products. To begin testing our wick technology, purchase our HTP Wick Sample Kit. For specific wick recommendations and more tailored advice, our knowledgeable team is eager to be of service, so contact us today!

Buy HTP Wick Sample Kit