Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1347119
18 I ICT TODAY Labeling Material Considerations Electrical contractors setting up new datacom systems, upgrading LANs, installing servers and backbones, rewiring and cabling existing facilities or working new construction all need to use labels designed to last. Since servers and cables are subject to excessive heat in the data center, it is important to select the right adhesives so labels do not loosen, curl, and slide off if the equip- ment gets too warm. For comprehensive standards and best practices for labeling the data center, consult ANSI/BICSI 002-2019, Data Center Design and Implementation Best Practices. Some label tapes are designed for use as asset tags or ID labels and work on flat surfaces only. The right tape for cable labeling will wrap easily and stay stuck to network cable, patch panels, and faceplates. These have the long-term adhesive needed for cable flag or cable wrap applications as well. Figures 4 and 5 show examples of network and cable labeling. FIGURE 4: Example of network labeling. FIGURE 5: Example of cable labeling. FIGURE 6: Printing on heat shrink tubing made easy, quick, and cost-effective. When evaluating on-demand printers for electrical systems and cable identification, select a rugged, commercial unit that is built for industrial use. When selecting label material, it is important to know that label cartridges come in a variety of sizes, colors, and adhesive backings, each matched to different applications. Some installers opt for heat shrink tubing, a thin, flexible tube that contracts when heated with a heat gun. When this type of material is applied to an individual cable or a bundle of wires, fibers, or cables, the tubing adhesive forms a strong, secure sleeve that provides insulation, strength, and strain relief that prevents flexing or crimping at the wire-to-termination point. Some newer labeling tools make printing on heat shrink tubing fast, easy, and economical (Figure 6).