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Cable and component ID for panel builders24 August 2011It is important that all the elements used in the construction of a panel are correctly and clearly identified. The effectiveness and safety of any future maintenance or reconfiguration work may well depend upon it. John McGee describes the identification products at your disposal and illustrates their application with examples from his own company’s portfolioWhen undertaking a panel building project, clear and correct identification of cables and components will serve you well in both the short and long term. There are a lot of products and techniques out there to help you with this task, which might at first cause some confusion; the key thing to bear in mind, however, is to ensure the right type of product is selected to suit the application at hand.
There are many types of markers available, their particular relevance depending upon how and where they are going to be used. For example, zero halogen (HF) and limited fire hazard (LFH) versions are rigorously tested for toxic smoke generation, flammability and flame propagation to ensure that in the event of a fire, fumes from burning electrical installations are not a danger to the public. A typical application might be in enclosed environments, such as underground railway stations.
When the project is subject to tight budgets and time constraints, think about using heat shrink sleeving. This works very well as it avoids having to make up legends using individual cable markers. As the name implies, this tubing fits snugly around the cables when heat is applied, the marking becoming permanent once the process is complete. Indeed, heat shrink tubing is virtually impossible to remove and is also tamper proof once in place, as well as offering excellent resistance against solvents and aggressive chemicals. Moreover, heat shrink tubing works very well at extreme temperatures; there are products available that retain their integrity at temperatures as low as –55oC or as high as +135oC.
Onsite printing
With installation time becoming increasingly rationed, being able to print identification markers adjacent to the work area is a major boon. Modern thermal transfer desk- and bench-top printers allow markers to be produced as and when they are required, and avoid the need to make trips back and forth to a remotely located printer. Having an on site printer available will also allow for any last minute work or changes to be carried out at short notice, reducing waste and downtime and, in turn, saving money.
Such systems also enable other types of labels to be produced; for example, terminal block identification labels that replace engraved plates and self-laminating labels for wires that are already connected. In fact, most of the panel builder’s identification requirements could be covered with one small investment.
But where this level of financial investment is not an option, more familiar, tried and tested slide-on core makers can still be used. These markers, upon which individual letters and numbers are pre-printed, are simply threaded in the appropriate sequence through wires and cables to produce the required text and/or numerical ID code. An even simpler, and very cost effective method if risk and safety are not crucial considerations, is to use coloured cable ties.
Embossed stainless steel
One of the latest developments - and one that provides a very flexible method of identification for a whole range of components such as pumps, pipes and valves - is the stainless steel marking system which extends the marking function well beyond the confines of power and signal cables (see the panel story for more details about this product).
The key advantage with the stainless steel system is that the identification text is embossed into the steel, offering a highly durable and permanent marker that will certainly not rub off or fade with time. Where panels and equipment are located in environments that are particularly aggressive – track-side or oil and gas and chemical processing plants, for example, the benefits of embossing on stainless steel cannot be over-emphasised.
Many of the product types that I’ve briefly described here are the result of ongoing research and development involving customer consultations and close attention to customer ‘wish lists’. This is the best way to ascertain customer wants and requirements and, indeed, many equipment manufacturers are nowadays involving their customers directly in the product development process.
So, correct and effective identification is a key consideration when building anything from individual wired panels to complex systems involving numerous panels containing many disparate components. And by involving and working with equipment manufacturers as part of the process and as early as possible in the design phase, significant benefits will accrue to ensure the smooth running and effective outcome of the project.
John McGee, product manager for identification and protection at HellermannTyton
Making a permanent mark on stainless steel
The M-BOSS Lite from HellermannTyton is designed to be used with the company’s MBT stainless steel ties on which it produces a permanent and durable embossed legend. It is easily located in the workshop or factory, and its lightweight and compact design means it can be transported and used out on site. The unit is quiet in operation so it can be used with confidence in an office environment.
The computer controlled machine is able to emboss characters directly on the stainless steel markers, which are then secured to the required component that needs identifying.
In addition to being compact and easy to transport, M-BOSS Lite provides fast printing speeds and easy to use software that can carry out small or medium printing volumes of 10mm or 20mm marker plates.
When the marker plates are finished, they can be tied in place with the MBT ties (lower illustration) and it is generally recommended that a proper tensioning tool, such as the Mk9 SST, is used to correctly tension and cut the ties, leaving no sharp edges.
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