Cable Coiling around Metal Objects

[TVH]

On construction sites it is common to see electrical and welding cables coiled around metal objects such as scaffold tubing. This is normally seen at elevated areas where long runs of cables are strung from the ground power sources up to the work area(s). Some say this is no concern, but others caution against heating and other possible electrical hazards. Would appreciate your comments on this condition listing hazards and solutions.

 

[kwired]

On construction sites it is common to see electrical and welding cables coiled around metal objects such as scaffold tubing. This is normally seen at elevated areas where long runs of cables are strung from the ground power sources up to the work area(s). Some say this is no concern, but others caution against heating and other possible electrical hazards. Would appreciate your comments on this condition listing hazards and solutions.

A welding cable would have a great chance of being a single conductor, which will create a core and coil out of the arrangement. This would be a "choke" to the welding process at the very least.

For general use extension cords for power tools, it probably isn't too much of a problem, all the circuit conductors are in there so there is no core and coil effect, but if you wrap enough times heat produced within can not escape as easily and you will have a hotter spot in the cord there.

 

[Besoeker]

A welding cable would have a great chance of being a single conductor, which will create a core and coil out of the arrangement. This would be a "choke" to the welding process at the very least.

The effect would depend on whether the welder is DC or AC and if AC, the frequency at which it operates.

AC For general use extension cords for power tools, it probably isn't too much of a problem, all the circuit conductors are in there so there is no core and coil effect, but if you wrap enough times heat produced within can not escape as easily and you will have a hotter spot in the cord there.

Good point.