FEATURE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT RECONNECT FOR CABLE IDENT
Stephen Earley explains how to select the right type of wire or cable identification marker and what TE Connectivity is doing to reconnect with panel builders and installers
withstand solvents, diesel or other chemicals, abrasion or mechanical wear or prolonged outdoor exposure. All of these can affect the properties of the material itself. To prevent failure a great deal of in-depth knowledge of materials science, product development and testing goes into idents. We have a long heritage in this through three leading global ident brands that stretch back 70 years: Raychem, Critchley and Idento. Over the years we have used our expertise to tailor the products to survive tough industrial environments and developed strong relationships with panel builders and installers. We continue to support and develop new technologies and applications to ensure the task of identifying wires and cables continues to be as easy as possible.
A
lthough they are simple products the market for wire and cable
identification markers (ident) can appear complex. There are many products and standards and installers and customers typically have their own preferences about the best. In turn, installers often turn to familiar and trusted suppliers like TE based on experience and recommendation. While any ident has only a single purpose (to remain in place and be readable) idents need to survive tough environmental factors including chemicals, moisture, mechanical wear and tear, abrasion, extreme temperatures and strong sunlight. It’s essential to choose the right product because the value of idents is ensuring that technicians and engineers can find the right wires and cables quickly during inspections, refurbishments and refits. Installers are faced with a wide choice of
products including pre-printed slide-on and snap markers, self-laminating and flag-style pressure sensitive labels and heat shrink markers suited to harsh environments. Most installers opt for idents from a respected supplier that can offer sales and technical support.
SUPPORTING THE MARKET We are taking a fresh approach and connecting with buyers and installers of idents with the objective of offering better support. Our new catalogue has been designed around the three approaches that buyers take when searching for idents. Idents are listed by types such as
8 FEBRUARY 2017 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT
printable tubes, tags, labels, pre-printed markers and printer hardware, software or accessories such as ribbons and reel holders. Idents are listed by industry for those looking to meet the standards and specifications of a particular sector such as general purpose electrical, industrial, marine, rail or defense. The third way is when a specifier knows a part number and wants to dive into the detailed listings to order the right size, colour and quantity.
POPULAR PRODUCT FAMILIES The three most popular product families are pre-printed markers, self-laminating labels and flagging labels. Pre-printed markers are well suited to one-off or low volume projects. They are made up of individual letters that literally spell out the label name. While time consuming, it is simple, straightforward and flexible. Different types of pre-printed marker are suited to different industries and some can be used on pipes and conduits. At the other end of the scale, when
installing high volumes fitters need to take an automated approach and use a printing system for either self-laminating labels which wrap around the cable or flagging labels that tail around it and stand out like a flag to support bar codes or sequential numbering.
MATERIALS SCIENCE OF IDENTS Failure of idents can arise either because the material itself fails or because the mark fades or rubs away. The material itself may need to
Different types of pre- printed marker are suited to different industries and some can be used on pipes and conduits
MAINAINING VISIBILITY The mark on the ident is as important as the ident material. We are proud to have set the standard on clarity and permanence of pre-printed products as well as the idents that our customers print themselves using systems that we can tailor if required. This is achieved through a system approach that encompasses the material of the ident, the printer ink, print settings and software. We then prove the performance of our idents through stringent laboratory testing against industry standards. These demonstrate performance in spite of significant abuse such as high or low temperatures and extreme exposure to chemicals.
END-TO-END CONTROL During the manufacturing process control and traceability become vital. Even with the same ingredient quantities the quality of the end product can be impacted by possible variations in production. Differences in temperature, mixing rate and even grain size of chemical additives can all lead to differences in performance of the end product. This tight control in development, testing and manufacture translates to consistent high quality idents that will be dependable, readable and firmly attached to cable when they are needed.
TE Connectivity T: 01793 528 171
www.te.com
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