identifying cables

[avinalarf]

what's the easiest way to identify cables within the consumer unit?

I ask because I came across a fuse supplying 2 ring mains and it was a bit of a nightmare when trying to test.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

what's the easiest way to identify cables within the consumer unit? I ask because I came across a fuse supplying 2 ring mains and it was a bit of a nightmare when trying to test.

Depending upon room, when I have pairs of T&E ends of ring main, I will either strap the pairs together when they enter the CU.

Or put coloured tape or straps around the matching pairs.

I do also normally colour code me radials as well..

I have my own little "standard" I tend to use on re-wires for certain types of room so that I can remember what cables I have put where..

i.e.

Blue = Upstairs circuits {as in I "blew" up}

Red = Downstairs circuits {as in I "read" down the page}

White = kitchen & Util circuits {where the "white" good are}

Black = Cellar or loft circuits {cuz they are a bit "black" & dark}

Grey = Smoke detector circuit {smoke is "grey"!}

Green/Yellow = Garden/external circuits {gardens have all the earth in em!}

Yellow & Brown are spare for other one off circuits.?

so on a rewire I could typically have;

2x2.5 blue & 1x 1.5 blue (upstairs ring & lights)

2x2.5 red & 1x 1.5 red (downstairs ring & lights)

2x2.5 white (kitchen/util ring)

1x1.0 grey (smokes)

1x2.5 1x1.5 black Black (cellar radial & lights)

etc..

etc..



dunno if thats the sort of thing you mean?

or shall I get :coat

 

[Badger]

Depending upon room, when I have pairs of T&E ends of ring main, I will either strap the pairs together when they enter the CU.Or put coloured tape or straps around the matching pairs.

I do also normally colour code me radials as well..

I have my own little "standard" I tend to use on re-wires for certain types of room so that I can remember what cables I have put where..

i.e.

Blue = Upstairs circuits {as in I "blew" up}

Red = Downstairs circuits {as in I "read" down the page}

White = kitchen & Util circuits {where the "white" good are}

Black = Cellar or loft circuits {cuz they are a bit "black" & dark}

Grey = Smoke detector circuit {smoke is "grey"!}

Green/Yellow = Garden/external circuits {gardens have all the earth in em!}

Yellow & Brown are spare for other one off circuits.?

so on a rewire I could typically have;

2x2.5 blue & 1x 1.5 blue (upstairs ring & lights)

2x2.5 red & 1x 1.5 red (downstairs ring & lights)

2x2.5 white (kitchen/util ring)

1x1.0 grey (smokes)

1x2.5 1x1.5 black Black (cellar radial & lights)

etc..

etc..



dunno if thats the sort of thing you mean?

or shall I get :coat

what colours do you use on a radial supply a cctv circuit for a house :^O and also an alarm radial circuit Applaud Smiley

 

[ianmacd]

what's the easiest way to identify cables within the consumer unit? I ask because I came across a fuse supplying 2 ring mains and it was a bit of a nightmare when trying to test.

I have used something like this in the past:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CACMD.html

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

I have used something like this in the past: http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CACMD.html

Good pointApplaud Smiley

How well do they stay stuck on the cables?

Do you end up with a load of one number value not used much?

I certainly agree in a commercial installation you do need to go with some sort of Alpha-numeric idenification...

(I'd run out of colours! :^O )

you can also get those straps with a label area you can write on with perm marker.

But on domestic jobs PVC tape/straps can have sufficient combinations.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

what colours do you use on a radial supply a cctv circuit for a house :^O and also an alarm radial circuit Applaud Smiley

ohhh!

Brown & Yellow? ; \Blushing

 

[ianmacd]

Good pointApplaud SmileyHow well do they stay stuck on the cables?

Do you end up with a load of one number value not used much?

I certainly agree in a commercial installation you do need to go with some sort of Alpha-numeric idenification...

(I'd run out of colours! :^O )

you can also get those straps with a label area you can write on with perm marker.

But on domestic jobs PVC tape/straps can have sufficient combinations.

They do stay on well. Used them more with UTP cables (esp when drawing more than a few at once).

You can use these to label the cables according to the mcb position. We did find the higher numbers were more likely to be left over and 0-3 got very well used.

Ian.

 

[Evans Electric]

Depending upon room, when I have pairs of T&E ends of ring main, I will either strap the pairs together when they enter the CU.Or put coloured tape or straps around the matching pairs.

I do also normally colour code me radials as well..

I have my own little "standard" I tend to use on re-wires for certain types of room so that I can remember what cables I have put where..

i.e.

Blue = Upstairs circuits {as in I "blew" up}

Red = Downstairs circuits {as in I "read" down the page}

White = kitchen & Util circuits {where the "white" good are}

Black = Cellar or loft circuits {cuz they are a bit "black" & dark}

Grey = Smoke detector circuit {smoke is "grey"!}

Green/Yellow = Garden/external circuits {gardens have all the earth in em!}

Yellow & Brown are spare for other one off circuits.?

so on a rewire I could typically have;

2x2.5 blue & 1x 1.5 blue (upstairs ring & lights)

2x2.5 red & 1x 1.5 red (downstairs ring & lights)

2x2.5 white (kitchen/util ring)

1x1.0 grey (smokes)

1x2.5 1x1.5 black Black (cellar radial & lights)

etc..

etc..



dunno if thats the sort of thing you mean?

or shall I get :coat

IEE please note to include in the 18th edition

 

[Apache]

Anyone thought of writing on the cable with a marker pen?

 

[ianmacd]

You seen most sparks writing?

 

[Apache]

You seen most sparks writing?

I'm a vet - we're worse than doctors!

 

[Badger]

We arnt as bad as vets though ! :^O

 

[binky]

Anyone thought of writing on the cable with a marker pen?

I use dots and dashes and mark corresponding MCBs

 

[Badger]

I use dots and dashes and mark corresponding MCBs

as in ..///....//// bit like morse code then :^O :^O:^O:^O:^O:^O:^O:^O:^O:^O

 

[Andy™]

Depending upon room, when I have pairs of T&E ends of ring main, I will either strap the pairs together when they enter the CU.Or put coloured tape or straps around the matching pairs.

I do also normally colour code me radials as well..

I have my own little "standard" I tend to use on re-wires for certain types of room so that I can remember what cables I have put where..

i.e.

Blue = Upstairs circuits {as in I "blew" up}

Red = Downstairs circuits {as in I "read" down the page}

White = kitchen & Util circuits {where the "white" good are}

Black = Cellar or loft circuits {cuz they are a bit "black" & dark}

Grey = Smoke detector circuit {smoke is "grey"!}

Green/Yellow = Garden/external circuits {gardens have all the earth in em!}

Yellow & Brown are spare for other one off circuits.?

so on a rewire I could typically have;

2x2.5 blue & 1x 1.5 blue (upstairs ring & lights)

2x2.5 red & 1x 1.5 red (downstairs ring & lights)

2x2.5 white (kitchen/util ring)

1x1.0 grey (smokes)

1x2.5 1x1.5 black Black (cellar radial & lights)

etc..

etc..



dunno if thats the sort of thing you mean?

or shall I get :coat

for a re-wire, i normally have a note next to DB position with what circuit is to what numbered breaker, and 'cut' roman numerals into cable

 

[a1]

Scratch on the Name of circuit with a nail/screw or smallest flat s/driver that I have to hane.

 

[green-hornet]

I have my own ident system where I cut into the cable with side cutters.

I have used markers but most will come off and get lost.

All industrial work is marked with cable markers and coloured clips.

 

[ianmacd]

as in ..///....//// bit like morse code then :^O :^O:^O:^O:^O:^O:^O:^O:^O:^O

Dashes not slashes. :coat

 

[Badger]

ohhhh you mean this ...-.....------......--.--..-.-.--..

that means :^O in morse code :^O

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

As its sort of topical.. I got a picture!Applaud Smiley

A bunch of cables from the Stable conversion job I am doing, (first fix done, awaiting second fix.)

25 cables back down to CU!

(plus alarm & heating control cables to the left)

This is a bungalow,

An old original stable bit with "lounge/dine/Kitchen".

And a new build part making 'L' shaped property with "Bed1/Bed2/Bed3/Bathroom"

A did a different colour scheme on this one cuz no upstairs/cellar etc..

I have also mixed multiple tape & strap combinations.

All carefully written down in my folder so when I go back I can remember what they all are.Blushing

Unless the builders been and peeled all me tape off!