June 14, 2001 Todd Fries, identification systems marketing manager with HellermannTyton (www.htamericas.com)—a producer of cable-identification products as well as connectivity, fastening, and routing products—says he sees support within the cabling industry for the forthcoming TIE/EIA-606A labeling standard. After making a presentation on the proposed changes to approximately 1,000 attendees of a recent conference, Fries commented, "There is an extraordinary amount of interest in the proposed labeling standard. Judging from the comments, questions, and interest from attendees, telecommunications labeling seems to be an area where more education is needed."
"At this time," he continued, "it is critical that the industry moves forward, together, to embrace and utilize the labeling standard for the benefit of the installer and ultimately the end user."
In his presentation, Fries described the role of labeling standards and discussed applications including marking wire, cables, telecommunications rooms, patch panels, pathways, and termination-position identifiers.
Mike Case, technology director with cabling-design firm Hunt Engineers and Architects in Horseheads, NY, saw the presentation and commented, "We specify labeling in our design work, but the contractors aren't always aware of labeling's importance when dealing with the finished product."
"I advocate standards in labeling and particularly the importance of permanent labeling," Case continued. "Labels can peel off or are not legible, and when you do moves, adds, or changes, there's no record of the information. The presentation brought focus to the fact that labeling and the method of labeling are important."
