Solarex Mart Nisan 2018

MAKALE
Professional and simple marking
Cost-Saving potential using the
correct printing system
Derya Tekler
Product Manager- Marking and Installation
Phoenix Contact Türkiye
Optimum marking - fast and
favorably priced
The correct materials and systems for
professionally marking electrical systems are
selected in three steps:
• Planning and engineering
• Selecting marking materials
• Selecting the printing system
Phoenix Contact offers a wide range of materials
for marking terminals, conductors/cables,
and equipment to address the widest range
of requirements in different sectors – in one
standard system extending from the software to
the material itself.
(Fig.1)
The optimum printing systems and configuring
software ensure flexible and cost-effective
marking in all industries.
(Fig.2)
Whether terminal, conductor, cable, or
equipment marking – thermal transfer
printing generates good marking images even
for small font sizes.
As cost pressures rise, fast commissioning, a high degree of functionality, and permanent
availability of machines and plants are becoming more and more important. However, increased
functionality means the scope and complexity of the electrical wiring also increases. Thermal
transfer printers ensure efficient and cost-effective marking (Fig. 1, lead figure).
It’s important that downtimes remain short when service or repairs have to be carried out. For
this reason, clear and permanent marking is critical: Suitable marking products, tailored to
the particular application, are required to label terminals, conductors, cables, and equipment.
Marking materials can be printed using compact printing systems, which can be used in
production facilities or for wiring in the field.
Planning and engineering
Today, generally CAE systems are used to plan and engineer electrical plants and systems. All of
the marking-relevant data, such as identification information or the cross sections of conductors
and cables, are saved there. Software programs, such as Clip Project from Phoenix Contact, are
used to prepare the data for direct processing in the printing systems. As part of the value-added
chain, the program retrieves the information from all conventional CAE systems at the click of a
mouse: information on terminal points, cables and conductors, as well as identification data from
the circuit diagram. The complete ordering, parts, design, and assembly lists are generated in
addition to a two-dimensional image of the terminal strip.
Clip Project also allows labeling data to be directly entered in cases where the cabinet builder
does not receive the CAE data from his customer electronically but in paper form. The diagrams
and technical data of the marking materials that Phoenix Contact offers have all been integrated
in the software, a feature which certainly simplifies selection. Product data is regularly updated
through the Internet.
Selecting marking materials
The actual application and processing required define the requirements placed on the marking
materials. For instance, fast and simple handling for the cabinet builder is important in order to
minimize assembly time. Simple replacement when commissioning or carrying out repairs on
electrical plants and systems should also be taken into account.
When marking electrical components, a distinction is made between marking terminals,
conductors/cables, and equipment. A clear print image ensures good readability of the
information even where space is restricted (Fig. 2). To ensure a uniform standard of quality when
marking various pieces of equipment and terminals, the range of marking materials should be
tailored to components from various manufacturers. Before selecting the marking, several factors
should be taken into consideration:
• What materials are permitted? Silicon, halogens, cadmium?
• What chemicals must the material be resistant to? Oils, petroleum products, greases, alkalines,
acids?
• What temperature range is required?
• Is approval such as UL or CSA required?
• What flammability class according to UL 94 does the material have to comply with?
The requirements placed on the material differ depending on the particular sector, for example,
transportation, power technology, food industry, nuclear power plants, machinery, cabinet and
plant building.
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March - April / 2018