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Cable Labeling Standards: ANSI / TIA-606-C - What's new?

TIA-606-C is the latest update to the voluntary standard for administering telecommunications cabling infrastructure, released by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) in July 2017. TIA-606-C builds on the guidelines already established in TIA-606-B, released in 2012, as well as includes some new additions and updates.

  • Annex D, which provides additional guidelines for administration of cabling supporting remote powering, including cable bundle identifier scheme. This important development allows automatic infrastructure management systems from different manufacturers to work together.
  • Identifier scheme for telecommunications grounding and bonding system elements. These changes specify the use of terms compatible with ISO/IEC 30129. Legacy terms used in versions of the TIA-607 standard earlier than revision C also will be allowed.
  • Identifier schemes for telecommunications bonding and grounding system elements, which was changed to align with TIA-607-C.
    • BCT (bonding conductor for telecommunications) changed to TBC (telecommunications bonding conductor)
    • RGB (rack grounding busbar) changed to RBB (rack bonding busbar)
    • GE (grounding equalizer) changed to BBC (backbone bonding conductor)
    • TGB (telecommunications grounding busbar) changed to SBB (secondary bonding busbar)
    • TMGB (telecommunications main grounding busbar) changed to PBB (primary bonding busbar)
    Data Center Server Room

Additional updates worthy of a mention:

  • TIA-606-B-1 content replaced with a reference to TIA-5048 (adaption of ISO / IEC 18598)
  • The preference for an ISO / IEC TR 14763-2-1 compatible format for new administration systems was removed
  • Table summarizing variables used in identifier formats added

Why follow the TIA-606-C standard?

Not only does the TIA-606-C standard help you add value to your operations with organized installations, it also removes the guesswork from label creation in the office or on the fly. It can even making label creation on-the-job easier with a mobile printer such as the BradyPrinter M611 Mobile Label Printer.

Ultimately, properly labeled systems benefit everyone — installers and contractors, IT technicians, owners and businesses. It also makes it easier to identify and trace cables quickly when problems occur or when a move, add or change is required.

Datacomm Contractor Using BradyPrinter M611 Mobile Label Printer
  • Improves your efficiency — It streamlines your entire installation and labeling processing, reducing the time spent creating labels.
  • Industry best practice — It makes the network easier to follow for your customer’s current and future team members.
  • Leave a lasting impression — Clear, durable labeling according to TIA-606-C standards underscores your experience, expertise and commitment to professionalism.
  • Ensures warranty compliance — Some cable warranties require successful labeling and documentation to be submitted directly to the cable manufacturer as proof of system installation. Since cable warranties are a key factor in many buyers’ purchasing decisions, successfully certifying a system by supplying this type of information to the manufacturer is extremely important.
  • Improves record keeping — The standard requires you to link a record for each identifier that is printed on a label, allowing your customer to have a well-documented infrastructure that can be understood and managed by anyone responsible for making moves, adds or changes.

How to properly identify cables according to TIA-606-C

Each of the following components must be clearly labeled with the appropriate identifiers:

  • Pathways
  • Work area outlets
  • Patch panels
  • Racks and cabinets
  • Ports
  • Grounding busbars
  • Cabling
  • Firestop locations
  • Telecommunications space
  • Data center room grid

Original LINK Identifier Label Example

TIA-606-C Original LINK Identifier Label Example

LINK Identifier Not Terminated in the Same Space Label Example

TIA-606-C LINK Identifier Not Terminated in the Same Space Label Example

LINK Identifier Terminated in Same Space Label Example

TIA-606-C LINK Identifier Terminated in Same Space Label Example

Patch Panel Identification Label Example

TIA-606-C Patch Panel Identification Label Example

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