"Don Y" wrote in message
...
On 9/3/2015 9:54 AM, Uncle Monster wrote:
stuff snipped

What I've done for years to label cables when I think the label may not
stick to the jacket and stay on is to print a label with the information
on
each end of a label long enough to stick the cable to the middle of the
label then wrap it to make a flag with the ends of the adhesive backs
stuck
to each other. It sticks out from the cable and has enough space for
more
information. With a little practice, you can learn to make perfect
fitting
tags. ^_^

Unfortunately it takes a while to get the hang of that and the downside is
that if they don't mate perfectly, they leave adhesive exposed that picks up
dust boogers, bugs and worse. The do have one nice feature - you can label
both sides and have a better chance of seeing what's on the label.

... then, when you pull the cable through a bundle of other cables,
you discover the "flag" gets stuck *or* tattered.

I used to use those sorts of labels and still do when they aren't likely to
ever have to be pulled through a hole that will shred them.

When/if I need to replace a cable (e.g., if the device to which it
is attached gets moved a few feet from its present location, the OLD
cable will be too long or too short -- needing replacement), I have
to *pull* the old cable out of that bundle and thread a new one in
its' place.

You really want the label NOT to change the effective diameter of the
cable.

Definitely. Also, a cable labeled with a partially or completely torn
flag-style label is a liability. When I do it that way, I also mark the
cable end with a Sharpie. Lots of times I really believed I could "just
tell" what cable belonged where from memory. Now I am smarter because I
realize how dumb an idea that was. (-: I often use colored crayons to hold
against the wire as I pull them. My old Crayola flip-top box of 78 crayons
has at least a dozen that are noticeably different colors. Burnt sienna,
burnt umber, burnt offering g are all just dark shades of brown. Wait,
there's no burnt offering crayon!

--
Bobby G.