Thread: labelling wiring/relays

industrial level dymo style labellers have the ability to print on standard dymo label tape in a few formats that can be wrapped around a wire (perpendicular to tape direction for multiple wraps around a wire, or mirrored to allow a wire 'flag' label).
Some also have the ability to print on a heat shrink material that can be applied to a wire on assembly of connectors etc.

As TA suggested

I have a DYMO Rhino which you can get labels that stick a lot better than your home/office ones
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I have the 6000 which I don’t think is available anymore but the 4200 is only about $150 for the basic machine
Mine is about 10 years old and still going, I had to get a new battery 2 years ago

The heat shrink tape is a bit expensive and only comes in a short roll compared to the others (2m vs 5m), you also have to disconnect everything to slide on the tube

There is a self laminating label
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Which works well in hot environments from what I recall


Gav

The Rhino labellers are good but $$$. Whenever possible, I prefer the shrinkwrap label tape for marking cables.

Of course, if you can use shrink wrap, a fine point Sharpie and regular shrinkwrap works well if you don't already have the labeller. Other cheap alternatives are label tie wraps as sold by the likes of Jaycar or slip on labels which can be purchased from trade electrical stores.

Thanks All,

I didn't realise those little labelling machines could print a label that would last in an engine compartment! Heat shrink would be a good option, except I'd have to cut all the terminals off to slide the stuff onto the wires.

Has anyone tried these sorts of cable ties ?

100pcs/lot 4X150 Ethernet Wire Zip Cable Ties Tie Mark Tags Nylon Label Write | eBay

I'm wondering if they survived under the bonnet ..... and what you could actually write on them with that wouldn't dissapear after a couple of years ( permenant markers fade away after a couple of years).

seeya
Shane L.

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

Thanks All,

I didn't realise those little labelling machines could print a label that would last in an engine compartment! Heat shrink would be a good option, except I'd have to cut all the terminals off to slide the stuff onto the wires.

Has anyone tried these sorts of cable ties ?

100pcs/lot 4X150 Ethernet Wire Zip Cable Ties Tie Mark Tags Nylon Label Write | eBay

I'm wondering if they survived under the bonnet ..... and what you could actually write on them with that wouldn't dissapear after a couple of years ( permenant markers fade away after a couple of years).

seeya
Shane L.

From my experience, most white cable ties go brittle a break easier than most black ties (of course their are exceptions), especially in hot environments
If you get markers with xylene in them they tend not to fade

The slip on cable markers mentioned by Reefmagnet

Marker holder Memocab - for cables - marking length 20 mm (8 markers) - 0 377 12 - Legrand

Grafoplast Products | For Cable Marking And Wire Marking

can also get expensive as you need the ferrules to go inside unless you just write on them with a marker or order the ferrules pre printed but the clear sleeve will turn yellow with heat

Originally Posted by Gav 110

From my experience, most white cable ties go brittle a break easier than most black ties (of course their are exceptions), especially in hot environments
If you get markers with xylene in them they tend not to fade

The slip on cable markers mentioned by Reefmagnet

Marker holder Memocab - for cables - marking length 20 mm (8 markers) - 0 377 12 - Legrand

Grafoplast Products | For Cable Marking And Wire Marking

can also get expensive as you need the ferrules to go inside unless you just write on them with a marker or order the ferrules pre printed but the clear sleeve will turn yellow with heat

Oh I see, it looks like you can tie them on without having to cut any plugs off the wires so they can be attached too. That would be a very good way of marking them.

I've had good success using a paper label printed off my computer in small font and slipped inside a bit of transparent heat shrink. But yes you generally need to do this before the connector is installed to the wire.