Power Cable Labeling

The Problem

Electrical power supply in technical rooms is ever-changing in location, devices served and circuit configuration. Losing track of what devices are served by each circuit breaker is an all-too-common introduction of higher risk to sensitive operations. Your identification system should be such that if any device needs to be switched on (or off), the rawest rookie on your staff should be able to quickly and positively identify the proper circuit breaker.

 

The Solution

The beginning of the answer lies in realizing that nothing in the electrician's world contemplates the number and frequency of electrical circuit changes that regularly occur in a computer room. The system must be comprehensive, with labels for the devices served, the receptacles, the cables as they exit the PDU, and the breakers themselves. With so many 120 volt devices now, the nomenclature system must anticipate run-on circuits. In addition to labels, the documentation should include not only the traditional Circuit Breaker Legend, but a Receptacle Service Legend showing every device plugged into a given circuit with location coordinates. A graphic floor plan for each PDU with color coded symbols locating each and every receptacle under the floor.

Given this unique labeling system and documentation as a starting point, management and the electricians can easily record and keep track of electrical circuit changes as they occur.

Test Your System

Open up your PDU and look at the breaker labels. Are your latest changes clearly recorded? Is your labeling system one that allows your electrician to readily make label changes as he changes the circuits? Now walk to the server cabinet. Is there a clear labeling of that cabinet indicating the circuit (or circuits) that feed that cabinet? Is there a document in your system that will locate where each receptacle is, and when you go to that location, is the receptacle there and marked in a way that you can unambiguously identify it? Is there a complete list of all the equipment on each circuit? If your system doesn't fill you with confidence as you answer these questions, then we should talk.

Reasons

LAYOUT LOCATION FOR EVERY RECEPTACLE

Every receptacle is labeled and precisely located by a colored symbol on the layout of your room. A layout for each PDU is provided.

CIRCUIT CENSUS

One of the haunting fears of management is that someone will add just one more device to a heavily loaded circuit and take the whole circuit down. This labeling system provides a complete census of devices on each circuit so potential overloads can be spotted before they happen. It also indicates which circuits are available for added duty.

SPEED IN EMERGENCIES

The labeling system must be intuitive such that the newest, most junior member of your staff, can confidently identify the exact breaker serving a downed device in an emergency.

COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENTATION

The documentation lists every device plugged into a given circuit. While unique and essential for circuit management, this documentation can prove critical in the event of a disaster recovery operation and associated insurance claims.

ACCOUNTANTS AND DEPRECIATION

Your accountant will be pleased that your system will allow meaningful inventoryand keeps track of each device by make and serial number for depreciation and insurance purposes.

Get Started!

You know when you need help with your electrical circuit management. We will show you our comprehensive system and get you started on the path towards confidence in electrical cable management.

Call us at (314) 822-5356.