I am anal about knowing exactly what wire goes where. Who wants to go downstairs and see 100 wires and have no idea where they go? In that spirit, what have you found is the best wire labeling method? Right now I use a p-touch labeler, but it is a pain and takes too much time. Is there a better way? Thanks.

we dont label, makes it more challenging....maybe a sharpie.....

I just tie a certain # of knots in the wire.

1 knot = MB
2 knots = kitchen
..... you get the idea. Gets kinda messy on the larger jobs though:)

These zip ties have a little flag on the end that you can write on with a sharpie..

[Link: buycableties.com]

Thanks cma. I guess there is no real easy way.

Brady IDPRo plus, or the new IDExpert.

Just pulling a few cables in a tract home doesn't justify it. But, doing larger jobs does.

Every guy who's seen one for the first time says the same exact thing; "It takes too long." After the first few times I show them how to serialize and multilabel, they start to understand how to use it.

Every one of those guys now use them, and won't do a job without one. With serializing and multiple labeling, it's way faster than a sharpie. And it's easy to read, will not rub off, will stay on for decades if wrapped properly, and it looks professional. Imagine troubleshooting a rack and having to read Sharpie writing on CAT5's in bundles..

So, if you do tract homes or $10K jobs, go sharpie. Anything larger and a Brady is the way to go.

When you say "go sharpie", do you mean attach a piece of masking tape around the wire and write on it? I have done this, but it looks like crap.

I agree. I doesn't last long either, nor does it look 'professional.'

I've seen some guys use Ptouches or Brothers also, and that's definetly a step up.

Try to find a Brady IDPro used on EBay, might be able to find one for $150.

You can find an IDPal also, for a little more money, but brand new.

We use the Brady IDPal for everything except the basic 2&2. I am very anal, and will pay the little extra to have this done now versus searching for hours later.

Use to use a labeler, but lately we have been using white electrical tape and a sharpie. Alot quicker than a labeler you can make a big flag tag and write as much as you need.

We just started useing a Rhino Pro 3000. It has been great so far. There are presets for all standard components, rooms, etc... Looks very profesional.

Use the Rhino 3000 or 5000, but use the heat shrink labels as they won't wear off like the other label makers. Makes you look professional to the next installer, when the customer goes cheap.

Hard to beat Rhino Pro for $99. Labels and ink are solid. Labeling hardware easy to use (Even I can do it).

Also, check out D-tools new collaboration with Brother: [Link: blog.ce-pro.com]

When I look at electrical panels with a bunch of hand written scribbles next to each circuit breaker I want to puke. When I look at a circuit breaker panel with professional clearly printed labels next to each circuit breaker (and they are few and far between) the immediate impression is that I am seeing the work of a professional.

I feel the same way about hand written labels. You guys that recommend a sharpie can tell me how much more efficient it is to write with a sharpie on white tape til you are blue in the face, but sorry, it looks like crap and is so unprofessional. I find the zip ties cma recommended to be a slight exception. A neat hand written number does not look bad on those. IMO, at the very least typed labels should be used after all the wires have been trimmed to final length, even if you use a sharpie during rough-in.

Final thought: if you complain about getting shopped for price against "trunk slammers" or "Internet whores" but do all your labeling with a sharpie, look in the mirror, cause you may be the trunk slammer you're complaining about.

Sorry, Julie, not been too impressed with the Brother products. If I every replace the Brady's I will go to the Rhino's. Mainly because A** now sells them, so the labels are easy to get.