Cable Numbering Q&A

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tganz96

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Making a set of drawings we have a wire, conduit, and cable schedule that has been designed so that the cable numbers change between devices to be able to identify a specific cable and help with construction but are on the same circuit so example circuit 1 goes to light switch 1 or LS1 and that cable # is CBL100 then from the switch to the first recessed light or RL1 is CBL101 and from the first recessed light RL1 to the second Recessed light RL2 the cable is CBL102 and so on for about 26 recessed LED lights.

Our engineer says this is wrong and all the cable numbers CBL### should be the same because they are on the same circuit I agree if they were wire numbers they should be the same unless they change electrically like through a light switch or relay etc but since they are cable numbers that hold multiple wires/conductors it could be either way according to what you want to accomplish and neither is really wrong or right but with different cable numbers and a lot of equipment above the drop ceiling finding a number in the CBL100,101,102 system would tell you to point to point where that cable goes and if they are all numbered the same you have no idea you just know they are the same circuit.

Currently on the wire, conduit, and cable schedule, it gives you all the detailed info of circuit number as well as source and destination device tag name and description conductor type, size, number of conductors, color of conductors, etc.

Looking for any feedback, opinions, or alternatives, The engineer is telling me I am wrong but I don't think so.
 
You can do it any way want to...no requirement, but it is very unlikely that long numbers will actually be placed on the cable by the installers.
 
If the coding is to identify general conductor information, like in a look up table, the other engineer's suggestion makes sense. If the coding is to identify specific information, such as 'from here to there' you idea is better. If the coding is because you have nothing better to do, start your Labor day weekend early and leave it up to the contractor.
 
How about using the first number as the circuit i.e. 1, 2, 3 then the next 2 digits be the device number 01, 02, 03.
So circuit 1 would have CBL100, CBL101, CBL102 etc.
Circuit 2 would be CBL200, CBL201, CBL 202 etc.
 
tganz96 said:
Making a set of drawings we have a wire, conduit, and cable schedule that has been designed so that the cable numbers change between devices to be able to identify a specific cable and help with construction but are on the same circuit so example circuit 1 goes to light switch 1 or LS1 and that cable # is CBL100 then from the switch to the first recessed light or RL1 is CBL101 and from the first recessed light RL1 to the second Recessed light RL2 the cable is CBL102 and so on for about 26 recessed LED lights.

Our engineer says this is wrong and all the cable numbers CBL### should be the same because they are on the same circuit I agree if they were wire numbers they should be the same unless they change electrically like through a light switch or relay etc but since they are cable numbers that hold multiple wires/conductors it could be either way according to what you want to accomplish and neither is really wrong or right but with different cable numbers and a lot of equipment above the drop ceiling finding a number in the CBL100,101,102 system would tell you to point to point where that cable goes and if they are all numbered the same you have no idea you just know they are the same circuit.

Currently on the wire, conduit, and cable schedule, it gives you all the detailed info of circuit number as well as source and destination device tag name and description conductor type, size, number of conductors, color of conductors, etc.

Looking for any feedback, opinions, or alternatives, The engineer is telling me I am wrong but I don't think so.
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For the life of me, I can't imagine that making life easier. I do Fire alarm, so I am used to identifying every wire, from and to, but this just seems insane and no one will really follow it in the future I certainly see zero advantage to the installer. If you want to do something like that, then actually put the circuit number on the cable and "SW RM 101-RL1, RL1-RL2 etc.
 
I am working with some supplied lighting in millwork. Each cable has 2 labels, one for each end. They labeled the cable ends so that A connects to B, C to D etc.
 
jimport said:
I am working with some supplied lighting in millwork. Each cable has 2 labels, one for each end. They labeled the cable ends so that A connects to B, C to D etc.
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That's labeling scheme is a war crime.


-SceneryDriver
 
I recall a project I did for PSEG. They had a global numbering scheme that basically involved the cable number, conductor number, terminal number, and enclosure ID.
 
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