Abstract: A device and a method for shrinking heat recoverable sleeves for covering cable joints comprising a heating device the interior of which has a plurality of independently energizable heating elements and at least one sensor and a control circuit or control circuits which are connected to the heating elements and the at least one sensor. The control circuit is arranged to produce a uniform and then a non-uniform temperature profile within the heating device unless the initial temperature within the heating device is above a given temperature (e.g.) 30.degree. C. in which case the control circuit waits until the temperature within the heating device falls to below the given temperature before producing the temperature profiles whereby sleeved cable joints of a uniform quality are produced by avoiding air entrapment within the sleeve during the shrinking process.

Abstract: A heating device primarily for shrinking heat recoverable sleeves for covering cable joints includes a cylindrical enclosure of two half-cylinder shells. Embedded electrical heating elements are energized under control of, e.g., a microprocessor, to control the temperature profile within the enclosure so that air entrapment within a sleeve during the shrinking process is avoided.