Control Panel Wire Numbering

[mhulbert]

I build about 1-2 control panels a year, so I don't know what the standard scheme of number wiring is.

Is it best to:
-ID the same wire with the same label on each end? If so, how do you figure out what to label each wire?
-ID the wire with its destination on the opposite end
(Example: wire between TB4 and K1. At the K1 end, the wire is labeled TB4, at the TB4 end, the wire is labeled K1)
-ID the wire with its connection labeled (Example: wire between TB4 and K1. At the K1 end, the wire is labeled K1, at the TB4 end, the wire is labeled TB4)
-What do you use on your projects?

Is there a UL accepted way to do this. What is the most practical and useful method? Any ideas?

Mike

 

[petersonra]

normally the wire labels would be spelled out on the drawings that you build the panel from.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

I would not label a wire with different labels at opposite ends.

Could you label the terminals in the destination the same as the source terminals?

 

[Rockyd]

Mike's reverse logic labeling is pretty standard operating procedure in a lot of places, and works really well. From a maintenance point of view, it solves a lot of time from chasing ghosts.

Alaska Pipeline System is that way, and it saves hundreds of hours if you know the system, otherwise it can be pretty ugly.

 

[S'mise]

Nfpa79

Nfpa79

Always use the same numbers on both ends of your wire. If wiring single fuses use the same number on both line and load sides of the fuse, or use a suffix such as "A". Eg. 123 on line side and 123A on load side. It is helpful to use numbers that corespond to page numbers. Eg.all numbers in the 300's are on page three. You are supposed to use #14mtw min but #16 or #18 can be used under some exceptions. #16 is used alot for PLC I/0 but with #14 in the field. Yes, destination termination #'s are the same as the #'s at their source as long as they do not go thrugh a device. Don't forget to use yellow wire for lighting and interlock circuits. Rules are governed by NFPA79. You are building these panels so choose wire and device numbers that make sense. the wire to goes to the switch on page 13 line 4 could be 1304sw. Good luck.

 

[mgd]

nfpa 79, 13.2.1.1, conductors shall be identified at each termination by number, letter, color (either solid or with one or more stripes), or a combination thereof and shall correspond with the technical documentation...
the controls engineer where i work, designates each wire according to it's line number, for example, the wire that corresponds to sheet one, line 100 is labled 100. the wire that corresponds to sheet two, line 200 (first line on sheet two) is labled 200, etc.