Cable markers - what do people use?

[Darren Evans]

Morning all!

Contemplating getting a set of THESE (in both 1.5mm-2.5mm and 4mm-6mm) for marking up circuits inside domestic CUs.

Anyone had any experience using them? Do they stay on? Are they pointless? Can they be found cheaper anywhere (CEF sell them in packs of 3000, at £80 a pack, was hoping to find a smaller pack for cheaper to try out!)

Cheers in advance

 

[Deleted member 105166]

I've used these when the need has arisen, they're cheaper and one size fits all.

 

[telectrix]

try here. :

600 PIECE COLOUR CODED ELECTRICAL CABLE MARKER CASSETTE 1.7 - 2.8mm 0.5 - 0.75mm | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 600 PIECE COLOUR CODED ELECTRICAL CABLE MARKER CASSETTE 1.7 - 2.8mm 0.5 - 0.75mm at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Andy78]

Massive choice on this site

Cable Marking & Printers | Cable Markers & Identification

Cable markers, printers, safety signs, warning labels and custom identification & engraving service. Various types of markers including slide-on, clip-on & tie-on.

www.cablecraft.co.uk

 

[James]

If you have a label printer, you can get print cartridges for most with heat shrink tube in them. Easy to print the label you want.

 

[Darren Evans]

Awesome thanks chaps

 

[davesparks]

I use partex PA series cable markers, available direct from part3x's online shop

 

[Darren Evans]

If you have a label printer, you can get print cartridges for most with heat shrink tube in them. Easy to print the label you want.

I have a cheapish one from screwfix at the moment, but this is on my shopping wish list Brother PT-E550WVP Electrician Labelling Kit - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BRPTE550WVP.html

Looks like it has the heatshrink cartridge option like you mentioned!

 

[7upsgreat]

I use partex PA series cable markers, available direct from part3x's online shop

I’m with Davesparks on this one. Partex cable markers on all my DB’s. Looks professional, makes testing easier (identify legs of the ring A & B) and the NICEIC Inspector loves it ?

 

[Toneyz]

Sorry, I think it's a bit OTT for an average domestic consumer unit, but if that's what you want to do then I'me not going to say its a bad thing.

 

[Risteard]

Be careful - spinlondon believed ferrules to be a colour identifier as to the cable core function. There's every chance he would hold a similar view here.

That said no-one else in their right mind would hold such a view...

 

[Simon47]

I use partex PA series cable markers, available direct from part3x's online shop

I use something similar, but a set I bought from RS many years ago. One day I'll get an applicator thingy as they are "really fiddly" to fit on cables that are "a bit larger" than they are designed for
I'm not keen on sticky tape types of labels as I've seen far too many that have unstuck after some length of time - by far the worst have been using Brother laminated tape as flags, they later started doing "flag" tape with a different glue. But, I've used a heck of a lot of Brady's Self Laminating Labels over the years, and with some I've returned many years later and seen no sign of them having unpeeled.

 

[WallaceP]

I use the heat shirk lable tape, but it can quickly add up, doing a control panel can eat through a few packets, even if you optimise how you print them for efficiency. Not sure how much room you have for cost doing domestic consumer units, but would guess about 3 cm per lable x 16 browns and 16 blues, thats just shy of a meter and its around £20 for 1.5 meter. Plus the cost of the machine and additional installation time. Plus a heatgun or gas torch to shrink them. I don't think I would be keen using a torch in someones house so you would need to use a hot air gun after the power is on.

Im sure it wont send you to the wall but it is another cost at the end of the day.

Cable craft did have a really good offer on a small kit a few weeks ago. Like above I would recommend having a look at what they have.

 

[gof1]

I use a permanent marker to mark i.d. ring ends , fine marker.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

I use a permanent marker to mark i.d. ring ends , fine marker.

You must have a very steady hand!