What is included in control cabinet labeling?
Clear control cabinet labeling facilitates installation, commissioning, maintenance, and troubleshooting. It ensures that electrical equipment and associated wiring can be quickly identified and unambiguously matched to the information in circuit diagrams and technical documentation.
Control cabinet labeling therefore involves several areas of marking. These include, in particular, equipment such as contactors, relays, fuses, and control components, as well as terminals, individual wires, cables, and conductors. In addition, warning and safety instructions, as well as type and rating plates, may be required.
The marking solution used depends on the specific application. Key factors include the available marking area, the type of attachment, and the environmental conditions. In industrial applications, the labeling should remain legible over the long term and be sufficiently resistant to typical stresses such as abrasion, moisture, temperature, and chemicals.
Equipment labeling plays a particularly important role in this context. It enables the systematic identification of electrical components and establishes a link between the actual equipment in the control cabinet and the technical documentation.
| Control Cabinet Section | Labeling Solution |
|---|---|
| Equipment such as contactors, relays, or protective devices | ➡️ Texit Equipment Signs & Labels |
| Individual wires | ➡️ Texit Wire Marking |
| Cables and Wires | ➡️ Texit Cable Labeling |
| Terminals and Terminal Strips | ➡️ Texit Terminal Labeling |
| Hazardous Areas | ➡️ Texit Warning & Safety Signs |
| Control Cabinet & System | ➡️ Texit Type Plates |
Equipment labeling plays a particularly important role in this context. It enables the systematic identification of electrical components and establishes a link between the actual equipment in the control cabinet and the technical documentation.
Equipment Labeling in the Control Panel
Equipment labeling makes it possible to uniquely identify electrical components in the control cabinet and match them to the information in circuit diagrams and other technical documentation. This simplifies installation, commissioning, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
An important foundation for systematic reference identification is the DIN EN IEC 81346 series of standards. Part 1 describes general structuring principles and rules for creating reference identifiers. Part 2 includes, among other things, the classification of objects and their corresponding identification letters.
What is the structure of a reference code?
Technical objects can be viewed and characterized from various perspectives:
| License Plate | Aspect | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| = | Function | What is the purpose of the object? |
| - | Product | What kind of technical object is this? |
| + | Location | Where is the property located? |
Depending on the system and documentation process, these aspects can be used individually or in combination.
Examples of labeling in the control cabinet
| Operating Resources / Division | Example | Appropriate labeling |
|---|---|---|
| Cable | W1 or project-specific cable number | Cable identification |
| Clamps | X1 | Terminal Labeling |
| Switchgear and Protective Devices | -Q1 | Equipment Labeling |
| Relay | -K1 | Industrial labels |
| Engines | -M1 | Equipment labels |
Note: The identification letters according to DIN EN IEC 81346-2 are based on the object’s function and not solely on its product designation. The examples shown are therefore for reference only and may vary depending on the system’s structure and function.
What needs to be labeled inside the control cabinet?
Which components must be labeled depends on the specific system, its documentation, and the applicable requirements. In general, the labeling should allow for the unambiguous identification and assignment of the relevant components.
Typical areas for control cabinet labeling include:
- Equipment: such as contactors, relays, protective devices, and control components
- Terminals and Terminal Blocks: For the Unambiguous Assignment of Connections
- Wires: for quick identification of individual conductors
- Cables and Wires: For Unambiguous Identification of Connections
- Control and display elements: for example, pushbuttons, switches, and indicator lights
- Warning and Safety Instructions: For Identifying Hazards and Safety-Related Areas
- Type and Rating Plates: for identifying control cabinets, machines, or systems
A variety of marking solutions are available for different applications. In addition to good legibility, the key factors are, above all, reliable identification and durability suitable for the respective environmental conditions.
Labeling Cables and Wires in the Control Cabinet
In control panel construction, marking sleeves—known as heat-shrink tube markers—are used very frequently. They are particularly well-suited for labeling wires and electrical cables in control panels. Thanks to the high-quality polyolefins, these markers can easily withstand even heavy loads in control panels and meet all standard norms and requirements of control panel manufacturers.
For cable labeling with identification letters, I recommend that my customers use shrink sleeve markers and cable labels.
These markers are perfect for use in switch cabinets, as they are not only very robust, but also extremely space-saving and flexible.
Equipment labeling switch cabinet
Durable and robust industrial labels and equipment markers are suitable for labeling equipment such as contactors, relays, or protective devices.
Label the wires and terminals in the control cabinet
Slip-on cable markers play an important role in ensuring safety during control panel construction and in subsequent control operations. The versatile application and ease of use of ART wire markers, combined with their long-lasting legibility, help ensure compliance with standards and guidelines for labeling in control panels.
Switch cabinet labeling Safety
Warning and safety signs identify hazardous areas and safety-related zones on control cabinets, machines, and equipment. Depending on the application, they must be clearly visible, unambiguously understandable, and sufficiently durable to withstand the respective environmental conditions.
For flexible & cheap CE marking
Nameplates and Equipment Identification
Type and rating plates are used to permanently label control cabinets, machines, and systems with relevant manufacturer and equipment data. Depending on the application, durable labels can serve as an alternative to engraved metal plates.
Print Control Panel Labels Efficiently on Your Own
Texit’s certified print quality ensures permanent legibility for over 10 years. This ensures that individual wires, cables, and equipment remain clearly identifiable over the long term, allowing errors to be located and corrected more quickly.
Data required from electrical automation processes can be imported using the Texit labeling software. Text, codes, and barcodes can be placed on the labels using drag-and-drop and arranged individually. In addition to control cabinet labels and cable markers, labeling strips for laser printing or manual labeling are also available. Thermal transfer labeling has proven particularly effective for professional equipment identification and documentation in control cabinet construction.
✔️ Flexible control cabinet labeling (grommets, signs, cable markings) that can be printed with just one printing system (high compatibility)
✔️ Durable materials
✔️ Data migration from existing systems
✔️ Personal consultation
✔️ In-house production
✔️ Very easy to use and mount in control cabinets
Enclosure labeling FAQ
What does BMK stand for in an electrical control cabinet?
What does BMK stand for in an electrical control cabinet?
BMK stands for "equipment identification code." It uniquely identifies electrical components and establishes a link between the actual equipment in the control cabinet and the technical documentation. In the context of DIN EN IEC 81346, the term "reference code" is frequently used for this purpose today.
What type of labeling is appropriate for equipment?
What type of labeling is appropriate for equipment?
Examples of suitable equipment for this purpose include device nameplates, labels, or identification tags. The choice depends on the component, available space, mounting method, and environmental conditions.
How are cables and wires labeled in the control panel?
How are cables and wires labeled in the control panel?
Depending on the application, cable markers, labels, identification sleeves, or other suitable marking solutions are used. It is important to ensure clear identification and long-lasting legibility.
What do =, -, and + mean in equipment identification codes?
What do =, -, and + mean in equipment identification codes?
= denotes the functional aspect, - the product aspect, and + the location aspect of a technical object.
What is the structure of an asset identification code?
What is the structure of an asset identification code?
An equipment identifier can consist of various aspects. Typical examples include the functional aspect =, the product aspect -, and the location aspect +.
What standard applies to the labeling of equipment in a control panel?
What standard applies to the labeling of equipment in a control panel?
The DIN EN IEC 81346 series of standards is particularly relevant for systematic reference identification. It describes rules for structuring technical systems and for creating unique reference identifiers.
What is equipment labeling?
What is equipment labeling?
The purpose of equipment labeling is to uniquely identify electrical components and link them to circuit diagrams and technical documentation.
What is included in control cabinet labeling?
What is included in control cabinet labeling?
Terminals, labeling strips, plastic signs, and labels are suitable for control cabinet labeling. It is particularly important to consider the material, installation method, and durability of these products (including printing methods such as laser vs. thermal transfer). For example, the product should be easy to remove from the roll for simple installation and should be available in large quantities. In addition, the material should be resistant to chemicals, solvents, and UV radiation at the point of use. Depending on the item and size, the labeling can be printed with a name, image, logo, text, or other additions. Signs, for example, are generally more suitable than terminals because they offer more space for printing. The schematic diagram should show the exact location of the individual components, as well as information about the circuit symbols.
How does data transfer work in control cabinet labeling?
How does data transfer work in control cabinet labeling?
With our Texit articles, data transfer is easy via one of the many interfaces of our thermal transfer printers. Whether Excel file or Access table, whether image, logo, text or another element. All data can simply be transferred from the carrier to the Texit Designer label software and arranged on the labels or label strips as required using drag and drop. This is one of the major advantages of Texit thermal transfer printer printing systems.
