Various industries face diverse regulations and standards when using cable labels. Labels used in industries like automotive and aerospace face different challenges, and as such, require different labeling solutions. Here is a brief overview of some of the challenges faced by either industry and some guidelines to choosing the right labels for identifying their wires and cables.
Wire & Cable Labels for Automotive
Labels used to identify wires in cars need to withstand the harsh conditions they will encounter inside the vehicle. They will be subjected to elevated temperatures, harsh chemicals, and general wear-and-tear. As such, we recommend thermal-transfer wrap-around labels that will apply a clear laminate over the printout, providing an extra layer of protection from various external environments. This will protect the printout from high-heat conditions, up to +150°C (+302°F), exposure to oils, gasoline, battery, and other automotive fluids, as well as abrasion and scratching.
When labeling the wires, it is suggested to add a label near the fuse box, as well as at the other end of the wire. This will make determining what each wire is used for straightforward and hassle-free. Wrap-around cable labels also allow the wires to be labeled with barcodes, such as QR codes if tracking is a concern. However, given the tight spaces encountered in vehicles, this may make the wire hard to scan, so forethought is required. A well-identified set of cables and wires in a car will make life easier for mechanics and technicians that must service the vehicle, reducing repair time so the car is up and running sooner.
Identification of Aerospace Wires
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration states that for the safe operation of aircrafts, wires and cables must be identified clearly, following the electrical wiring interconnecting system (EWIS) best practices. This is important to ensure the safety of maintenance personnel and facilitate the maintenance and repair process. Well-defined and easy to comprehend labeling of EWIS components allows installers, inspectors, and technicians to quickly determine that system components are installed as intended while also making the addition of new systems straightforward while ensuring existing requirements are met.
The EWIS recommends that wire and cable labels include information that clearly identifies the wire, the circuit it belongs to, its gauge size, and a material part number linked to the wire manufacturer. This ensures that wires that need to be replaced are not inadvertently substituted for unsuitable, lower-performance wires. They also indicate that any wire over three inches in length must be appropriately labeled, with the label ideally placed at the center. Printing should be done in such a manner as to be read left to right when placed horizontally and top to bottom when vertical. When using wire labels or heat-shrinkable sleeves, they should be placed at either end of the wire and within three inches of their termination. It should also be noted that the wire labels must withstand all environmental conditions that they are expected to encounter during their lifespan, including operation and maintenance.
IndustriTAG wire and cable labels are made from durable raw materials designed to withstand whatever harsh working environments they may be subjected to. They offer a variety of cable labels to suit your needs, including wrap-around labels, flag labels, and foldable labels. Each provides its own unique benefits. They also have an experienced support team available to help answer your questions and ensure you get the right wire and cable labels for your exact application.
