Wire Labels
Wire and cable labels are important tools because they help us identify and arrange the wires in our many electrical, data communication, and even industrial setups. The assortment of wire markers on the market makes it easy to pick and choose, depending on what kind of label will work best for your particular wires and situation.
Wires need to be labeled in some way, and it is best to use something that will not only last but also stay true to what it was when first applied. That's why certain wire labels like vinyl, polyester, and nylon work just fine.
Having the right labels in place makes it much simpler to handle a bunch of tangled wires. A good wire label allows you to identify a specific wire, even if it's sitting in the middle of a tangle of cables. This is crucial especially because, without clear labels, the wires associated with one device can very easily be mistaken for those on another piece of equipment, leading to incorrect and potentially dangerous interconnections.
FAQs
Can custom labels come in multiple colors as well as be heat resistant and chemical resistant?
Yes, custom labels can come in multiple colors and be designed to be heat resistant and chemical resistant, ensuring durability and clear identification in harsh environments.
Wire Labeling Best Practices
Identify the types of power on the wire.
If a large amount of voltage or current exists on the wire, make sure that the wire label shows that. Sometimes this is done by using a different color label on the wire or the wire itself is a different color, which is a form of identification and labeling.
The label should show where the wire is coming from and where it is going to.
By providing the origin and destination of the wire, operators interacting with that wire can more easily identify where it is going and how it might be routed. It also allows the operator to more easily eliminate that wire as a trouble spot when trying to troubleshoot electrical issues.
The writing on the label should be printed as large as possible to make it easy for the operator to read.
Use the correct type of labels.
Too often electrician simply use a piece of white electrical tape wrapped around the wire with some writing on it. While this is better than nothing, it is not the proper labeling method. The use of electrical wire labels should be used. Heat shrink labels are best as once they are attached and shrunk, they rarely move. Label printers allow the text to be very clear and legible.
Use the same labeling convention on every label.
This allows for continuity in the labels and allows the operator to more predictably read and interpret the information. Make sure labels are always oriented in such a way that they can be read without moving or manipulating the wire in any way, as this can lead to wires potentially coming loose and potentially causing dangerous situations.