What Is a Cable Reel?
A frame for winding linear objects such as string or hose is called a reel, and a machine that winds cables, hoses, wires, etc., by means of a spring or motor, is called an auto reel. A cable reel is a reel that automatically winds cables out of an auto-reel.
When there is only a power supply in a limited area, such as a construction site, a cord reel may extend over a distance of 50 m or more. Therefore, the use of a cable reel can shorten the winding time after the cable is used, thereby improving work efficiency and saving manpower.
Usage of Cable Reels
Cable reels are used when you want to connect power wiring from several meters to several tens of meters.
At construction sites, power sources are limited to building walls or generators, and it is not uncommon for power sources to be located far away from the work site. In addition, the cords used at construction sites are made with a thicker coating to prevent them from being easily broken, so they are extremely heavy and difficult to fold up and transport.
Therefore, cable reels are frequently used in the construction industry to shorten the time required to deploy and store wiring and to facilitate transportation.
Principle of Cable Reel
There are two types of cable reel winding mechanisms: spring-loaded and motor-loaded.
In the spring type, elastic energy is stored by the deformation of the spring inside the reel when the cable is deployed, and the cable is retrieved by the restoring force of the spring when it is stowed.
In the case of the motor type, the reel is rotated by the motor, so the cable can be wound with a large output. Motorized cable reels are used for reels of a size that cannot be wound by spring force, such as when the weight of the cable or the number of turns is very large.
One of the most common disasters that can occur when using cable reels is a fire caused by excessive loading. When a cable reel is used as it is wound on a reel, it is not guaranteed to carry as much current as when it is fully extended, and there have been cases where fires have occurred due to use without knowing this information. Therefore, when using a cable reel, it must be used fully extended after confirming that the amount of current indicated on the reel is not exceeded.