Cord Reel

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It doesn't matter how many stickers or warnings you put on a cord reel, Unless you have an overcurrent device built into the reel itself that will disconnect the load prior to causing damage, there is nothing that will keep the customer from not ever being able to overload it.

Therefore,

The best thing you can do is stop at the receptacle outlet where the Cord Reel will plug into and let the customer supply his own if he wants to , or, if Spec'd on a project and you have to provide it, it then needs to go through the correct submittal process and approvals so that the cord reel and installation that is used takes the liability off of the installer.

JAP>
 
I do wrap #12 around my screwdriver sometimes and connect it to a 9v battery to magnetize the end of it .....
I need to make a label for it.


JAP>
 
Check the UL Listing of the cable. If it is anything other than UL 62, it is not considered a flexible cable per Informative Annex A and is not governed under the scope of NEC 400.
 
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iwire said:
Another mole hill turned into a mountain.

Cord reals are plentiful in my world and are not melting cables.

Go figure. :D
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For licensed electrician then this is OK to do you would conclude. Then doing such work in compliance to the NEC are 110.3 then. Either the code is followed or it isn't. Yes, to some it may be making mountain out of a mole hill when one gets an answer that they don't want to hear. And, yes, granted that most use retractable cord reels with portable electric tools that for the most part are used intermittently. But then there are those rare occasions where someone unwittingly decides to use it for a high wattage heater application such as that of a hand held heat gun and not have it a second thought. Please convince me that you would give it a second thought to have a retractable cord reel mounted in the attached garage of your home pull out a few feet and plug in a space heater in the evening and leave it on overnight.
Is there signage evident that would warn of such a misapplication?
 
templdl said:
For licensed electrician then this is OK to do you would conclude. Then doing such work in compliance to the NEC are 110.3 then. Either the code is followed or it isn't. Yes, to some it may be making mountain out of a mole hill when one gets an answer that they don't want to hear. And, yes, granted that most use retractable cord reels with portable electric tools that for the most part are used intermittently. But then there are those rare occasions where someone unwittingly decides to use it for a high wattage heater application such as that of a hand held heat gun and not have it a second thought. Please convince me that you would give it a second thought to have a retractable cord reel mounted in the attached garage of your home pull out a few feet and plug in a space heater in the evening and leave it on overnight.
Is there signage evident that would warn of such a misapplication?
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Ok, I got to ask,

Did you burn up your cord reel by running a heat gun for an hour ?
All this concern sounds like your speaking from experience. :)


JAP>
 
jap said:
Ok, I got to ask,

Did you burn up your cord reel by running a heat gun for an hour ?
All this concern sounds like your speaking from experience. :)


JAP>
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Your point is? I stated if you are a licensed electrician and as a licensed electrician you have installed a integral mounted retractable cord reel in accordance to NEC art 110.3 would we would running a heat gun per my example be an issue? Or is it to pick and chose what code articles that you choose to follow whose work should always better questioned. Personally, I prefer and electrician who in conscientious. I would install one for my own personal use because I am aware of its limitations but would never install one for someone else unless it would comply with NEC art 110.3. And, yes, I saw one cord reel that was misused and fried it a point where the user asked why they couldn't pull out the cord.
It may be that you are one who may wire a circuit with #14awg and protect it with a 30at breaker. No problem should the load doesn't exceed the rating of the wire. With cord reels there is no problem either with using them nonextended as long as the load doesn't generate enough heat to damage the cord.
I saw someone testing one of those rope lights while still we wound up in a spool in a bar installation and no thinking about it just left them set for a while. Each light by itself may get hardly warm when lit. Sometime later, still wound in a spool, they got hot enough for the rope tubing to melt together.
 
templdl said:
Your point is? I stated if you are a licensed electrician and as a licensed electrician you have installed a integral mounted retractable cord reel in accordance to NEC art 110.3 would we would running a heat gun per my example be an issue? Or is it to pick and chose what code articles that you choose to follow whose work should always better questioned. Personally, I prefer and electrician who in conscientious. I would install one for my own personal use because I am aware of its limitations but would never install one for someone else unless it would comply with NEC art 110.3. And, yes, I saw one cord reel that was misused and fried it a point where the user asked why they couldn't pull out the cord.
It may be that you are one who may wire a circuit with #14awg and protect it with a 30at breaker. No problem should the load doesn't exceed the rating of the wire. With cord reels there is no problem either with using them nonextended as long as the load doesn't generate enough heat to damage the cord.
I saw someone testing one of those rope lights while still we wound up in a spool in a bar installation and no thinking about it just left them set for a while. Each light by itself may get hardly warm when lit. Sometime later, still wound in a spool, they got hot enough for the rope tubing to melt together.
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All simple basics of electricity.

JAP>
 
jap said:
All simple basics of electricity.

JAP>
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Yes, simple basics of electricity if they were only applied. Many years sgo I was asked to replace a cord reel the failed to extend because the cord fused together on the reel. Go figure.
But since you have avoided commenting on the other points that I have made I am assuming that you are not in agreement with what a responsible professions licensed electrician should do. I would prefer someone who I could trust to do the right thing wether I liked his/her answer or not and not as an answer that I wanted to hear. .
 
Well gee. When I made the OP I just wanted some thoughts on direct wire vs cord and plug for a cord reel. If had known then what I know now I probably wouldn't have considered using a cord reel at all. At this point I'm so stressed over how dangerous this is I'm not sleeping well and considering counseling. I can see now that we will need a special training program and procedures in place for any people to use this. Also considering having a UL field evaluation done before each use, have fireman supervising and of course legal counsel present.
 
templdl said:
Yes, simple basics of electricity if they were only applied. Many years sgo I was asked to replace a cord reel the failed to extend because the cord fused together on the reel. Go figure.
But since you have avoided commenting on the other points that I have made I am assuming that you are not in agreement with what a responsible professions licensed electrician should do. I would prefer someone who I could trust to do the right thing wether I liked his/her answer or not and not as an answer that I wanted to hear. .
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The only reason I haven't commented on your other points is simply because I don't understand what point your trying to make.

Yes if a cord reel is not unreeled all the way and a heavy load is put on it for an extended period of time it's probably going to melt and fuse together.

As far as what a responsible electrician should do I can only speak for myself and say the only cord reels I've installed are the 2 at my house and I've been doing industrial work for the last 30 years. Yes I've made hundreds of cord drops but not cord reel installations although I've seen them in big box stores and even Walmart.

Now, as far as trusting someone to do the right thing and telling straight up what needs to be done wether you liked his answer or not,
Who's been lying?

JAP>
 
texie said:
Well gee. When I made the OP I just wanted some thoughts on direct wire vs cord and plug for a cord reel. If had known then what I know now I probably wouldn't have considered using a cord reel at all. At this point I'm so stressed over how dangerous this is I'm not sleeping well and considering counseling. I can see now that we will need a special training program and procedures in place for any people to use this. Also considering having a UL field evaluation done before each use, have fireman supervising and of course legal counsel present.
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Welcome to the dilemas one faces when considering the use of a cord reel.

JAP>
 
jap said:
The only reason I haven't commented on your other points is simply because I don't understand what point your trying to make.

Yes if a cord reel is not unreeled all the way and a heavy load is put on it for an extended period of time it's probably going to melt and fuse together.

As far as what a responsible electrician should do I can only speak for myself and say the only cord reels I've installed are the 2 at my house and I've been doing industrial work for the last 30 years. Yes I've made hundreds of cord drops but not cord reel installations although I've seen them in big box stores and even Walmart.

Now, as far as trusting someone to do the right thing and telling straight up what needs to be done wether you liked his answer or not,
Who's been lying?

JAP>
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Thanks for you reply. I was only speaking from a point of what a responsible person would do as my reference to NEC art 110.3.
My experience was a real eye opener which was over 30 yesrs ago and I haven't as had a need to to research a similar directly wired device since if there are any even available. Of hand all that I have seen are plug in devices which the user has the choice to intentionally or unintentionally abuse. The only directly wired cord reel that I presently have is a drop light w/no receptacle. Thank goodness for those fluorescent lights as my drop light is limited a 60w but I was able to install a cool and brighter 100w equivalent fluorescent bulb in.
 
templdl said:
Thanks for you reply. I was only speaking from a point of what a responsible person would do as my reference to NEC art 110.3.
My experience was a real eye opener which was over 30 yesrs ago and I haven't as had a need to to research a similar directly wired device since if there are any even available. Of hand all that I have seen are plug in devices which the user has the choice to intentionally or unintentionally abuse. The only directly wired cord reel that I presently have is a drop light w/no receptacle. Thank goodness for those fluorescent lights as my drop light is limited a 60w but I was able to install a cool and brighter 100w equivalent fluorescent bulb in.
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I agree with you.
Wether its a plug in type or hardwired doesn't change the fact that the customer can overload it one way or the other, it only changes the responsibility of it.
If you hardwire it and it burns up, I would say your responsible unless you have a way of proving the reel was specified and approved for your job and is part of your responsibility to install.

If you install a receptacle near where a customer supplied cord reel is going to be and they provide it and plug it in then its theirs.

When someone asks for a cord drop I provide just that, not a cord reel.

Although I have one myself in my garage, a cord reel is not an option I've ever recommended to a customer for all the same reasons you mentioned.


JAP>
 
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