Abstract: Printed markers for identifying electrical cables are formed by winding an elongate plastics strip or flattened length of plastics tubing 19 onto a reel 30, which is then mounted for rotation to a thermal transfer printer 25. The printer then prints markings 14 onto the strip or tubing 19 as it advances past a print head 36 of the printer 25. The strip or tubing 19 may be formed with transverse lines of weakness at intervals along its length, to define successive markers. The thermal transfer printer 25 comprises a transfer ribbon 38 carrying a releasable printing composition, which print composition comprises a first pigmentation material capable of penetrating into the plastics of the strip or tubing 19, and a second pigmentation material capable of adhering to the surface of the plastics of the strip or tubing 19.

Abstract: A splice enclosure for optical fiber cables comprises a base (20) having at least one port (21) to receive a folded-over loop of a main optical fiber cable (10). The enclosure further comprises a plurality of storage trays (30) to receive loops or bights of individual fibers of the cable (10). The trays (30) are arranged to accommodate splices (33) between the fibers of the main cable (10), and the fibers of stop cables (18).