Which marker for which wire
| Marker | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Heat shrink sleeve | Wire ends in harnesses and cable assemblies | Print it, slide it on before the connector goes on, then shrink. Once shrunk, it stays put. |
| Self laminating wrap marker | Wires and cables from 2 mm diameter | Goes on after termination. The clear tail must cover the print at least once. |
| Flag label | Bundles where the ID must read without turning the wire | Needs room beside the wire. |
Heat shrink or wrap marker?
If the wire is not terminated yet, a heat shrink sleeve is the most permanent choice: you print the ID, slide the sleeve on and shrink it. If the connector is already fitted, or the harness is back for rework, a self laminating wrap marker goes on without taking anything apart.
Tips from the harness bench
- Print the same ID at both ends of each wire.
- Put the ID at the same distance from the connector on every wire. The eye learns where to look.
- Print heat shrink before it goes on the wire. Once it is on, the printer cannot reach it.
- Use one ID scheme for the drawing, the labels and the test report, so nobody has to translate between them.