The Truth About Cable markers
Cable markers quickly identify and label wires, cables, conduits, and cables. They are essential when building or setting up equipment to ensure future secure and effective maintenance system updates. Various types of cable markers available can suit different industries and applications. They have different sizes, materials, and affixing methods. Many of them have colour codes according to the international resistor colour code. The materials commonly used to manufacture wire and cable markers are PVC, nylon, vinyl, polyester, and steel.
How to Select Best Cable Markers?
To select the correct type of Cable Markers for your application, you must consider the following things:
- Size of the wire
- Pre- or post-termination application
- The environment in which you will use the marker and the condition it has to withstand.
- The equipment and tools that are available to apply the markers
- Choose whether you want pre-printed, printable, or written on markers.
Categories of Cable Markers
The cable markers are usually categorized by their affixing method.
Adhesive and Self-Laminating
Adhesive and self-laminating cable markers are ideal for use with wires that have already been eliminated. They can quickly wrap around the wire and cover the marker with the help of a transparent protective layer. You can write them by hand or use a label printer.
Clip and Slide On
Clip and slide-on markers are usually colour-coded and pre-printed with numbers, letters, and symbols. They are offered as single characters that can be combined to create a legend. They are available in different shapes like chevron or straight cut to fit together. Slide-on markers must be applied pre-termination, whereas clip-on markers must be applied before or after termination. They can be applied manually or with the help of installation tools.
Heat Shrink
Heat shrink cable markets made from polyolefin are flexible, durable, and will not break or fall once installed. They are applied before termination and are available in pre-printed form with standard letters, numbers, and symbols. It might also be blank, so you can use them with compatible laser marker systems.
Tie-On
Tie-on tags and markers are utilized with larger cables and bundles. They are the blank tags/plates that you can use with slide-on markers, printers, or handwritten, then mounted with the help of cable ties. Their design enables them to be manufactured from robust materials such as highly resistant metal and appropriate for use in challenging environmental conditions.