An industrial cable reel is necessary for businesses that deal with hundreds of feet of cord that needs to remain untangled and organized. Electric companies, cable media providers, sound technicians, churches and production studios are just a few of the industries that likely need the use of a cable reel.

Cable reel pricing and costs vary depending on several factors, such as whether you purchase steel or plastic cable reels. Prices also depend on whether you buy manual or electric cable reels. Shop for your cable reel needs by the following industries:

1. Buy cable reels online for audio and video industries.

2. Industrial cable reels are a must for welding businesses.

3. Electric companies need grounding cable reels to prevent injury.

4. Odd jobs may require customized wire and cable reels.

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Contact audio/video cable reel suppliers

Take one look at a church sound board or a concert stage and you can't deny that there are cables in every direction, connecting an abundance of controls and dials to instruments, microphones, monitors and projectors. Especially for concert tours, there has to be a quick and easy way for stage hands to get those cables and wires put away and ready for transport, while making things easier for the next setup. Cable reels are the answer.

I recommend: The steel-framed audio/video cable reel offered by Campfield Recorders and Sound for $40 has the capacity to hold 30 to 400 feet of cable, depending on the cable width. A search for “audio video cable reel” produces six product results ranging from $40 to $350. Hanny is one of the top cable reel manufacturers in the industry. You can purchase their AV series from Markertek for $300 to $400.

Purchase an industrial cable wire reel

There are many ways businesses can use cable reels, especially for welding cable which sees frequent use. Many manufacturers produce reels specifically for storing welding cable.

I recommend: Hands on Tools has welding cable reels available for $500 to $700. Visit ToolTopia for a retractable, twin-hose welding reel for less than $150.

Prevent injury with grounding wire cable reels

Ground cable is very strong and, if unsecure, can cause injury. That's why electric companies and other similar industries should use a grounding cable reel. Many manufacturers equip these cable reels with static discharge to prevent electrocution.

I recommend: Get grounding cable reels from Drill Spot for less than $300. Bell Electronics has a ground cable reel for around $70.

Inquire about custom cable reels

Many cable reel manufacturers provide the opportunity to order customized reels to fit those awkward jobs for which nothing else will work. However, most manufacturers do not provide custom design pricing on their websites. You must contact them with your custom specifications and they will respond with a quote.

I recommend: Send an inquiry about your custom cable reel needs to Hanny Reels or Reelcraft.

Electricians need cable reel manufacturers who provide quality cable reels for dependable service, safety and economy. Whether you buy custom cable reels or an industrial cable reel, you want the best deal for your reel.

Buy cable reels according to the gauge, voltage or amperage you need for a particular job. The number of conductors required for jobs must factor in when buying electric cable reels. Cable reel suppliers ask for specific size requirements when you order.

1. Buy cable reels from a US manufacturer that supplies all of your mobile electrification needs. Some companies supply slip rings and conductor bars in addition to cable reel. Some cable reel suppliers offer custom punching and wiring for an additional charge.

2. Spool diameter needs must be figured in when you order cable reels. Custom cable reels come in different sizes according to the spool diameter you need for a particular job.

3. Cable reel manufacturers offer a variety of cable reel types, such as metallic cable reels, plastic cable reels, wire cable reels and combination wire and cable reels.

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Conduct a cable reel search by category

Cable reel suppliers offer several types, sizes and strengths of cable reels. Purchase according to the category type your specific business or project requires.

I recommend: Conductix, Inc. is a US manufacturer supplying all your mobile electrification needs. Click on the category you need and see a vast array of cable reel supplies at their website.

Gauge your industrial cable reel needs for real savings

Cox Reels is an industrial cable reel manufacturer providing quality industrial cable reels at reasonable prices.

I recommend: Request a quote online at CoxReels. They also have a learning tool that helps you order the proper size cable reel you need when you visit their website.

Whirl your cable reel needs away at Whirlwind

Whirlwind USA is one of the cable reel suppliers offering custom punching and wiring at an additional cost when you buy cable reels.

I recommend: Click on images to view different size versions of their cable reels at Whirlwind USA.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many cable reel manufacturers offer hazardous duty cable reels for safety and security on projects considered hazardous duty locations.
• •  There are grounding cable reels available for work at places such as aviation hangers or refueling stations where discharging static electricity occurs.
• •  Check out the strong, yet light-weight cable reels built from heavy-gauge steel. They have welded frames for long-lasting durability.
• •  Some cable reel manufacturers offer a cable reel that has an adjustable braking system added. This adjustable braking system's mechanism controls the speed during the release or payout of the cable on the reel. This is a great safety feature, makes work easier and wind-up is a snap.

An industrial cable reel carries conductive, lifting or other types of cable. In business, they accommodate maintenance bays, refueling areas, cable storage and/or wash-down equipment among other uses. They hold lengthy cable by wrapping or rolling it around the center, so the cables, wires, hoses, or other materials are safe for transport, usage and/or storage.

You can buy manual or electric cable reels, plastic cable reels or wire cable reels, standard or custom cable reels. They accommodate simple storage dilemmas, and they make day-to-day operations safer and easier. For more information about cable reel types and styles, read on.

1. Check out the different types of electric cable reels.

2. See how eco-friendly plastic cable reels are.

3. Use metallic cable reels for harsh conditions.

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Lighten the load with industrial cable reels that wind using electricity

Electric cable reels provide electricity to maintain power during winding or unwinding. The more advanced electric cable reels are self-winding. You can also purchase cable reels that have a live connection for hoses or electrical cable, so they are usable while still wrapped on the reel. This comes in handy with cable reels that connect to lighting or tools that need electricity to function.

I recommend: For a look at some electric cable reels, check out Coxreels. UEA offers a variety of electric motorized cable reels, and Conductix Wampfler has more motor-driven cable reels. Also, check out the variety of cable reels shown on the Dultmeir Sales site.

Buy cable reels that are environmentally friendly for added benefits

Most plastic cable reels made from recycled material which you can recycle for repeated use. Benefits of the plastic cable reels include competitive prices, and they weigh less than other cable reels. Wood cable reels are another option. They are eco-friendly, competitively priced, but they are very heavy.

I recommend: Reel Core is a plastic cable reel supplier/manufacturer. Carrisreels offers wood cable reels with specifications available on the website, as well as plastic reels if you search elsewhere on their site.

Discover whether an industrial cable wire reel will do the job

When looking for a metallic cable reel, you find steel is the most common metal used to make cable reels. These reels are ideal when exposure to outdoor weather conditions or chemicals is possible. They withstand these conditions better than other cable reel materials, and they allow for custom specifications.

I recommend: For steel reels in different sizes and NEMA Class I and Class II compliant, see Sonoco. Northern Tool + Equipment offers portable wire cable reels. Clark Wire & Cable carries an extensive line of stainless steel cable reels for harsh or sanitary environments.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Reduce the cost of a cable reel by buying one with a manual crank.

Designed to reel in, organize and store cables ranging from power cords to cable wire, cable reels are available in an array of styles and sizes with features to accommodate specific applications, industries and safety requirements. By staying up-to-date with key industry terminology such as “static discharge,” “cord caddy” and “motor driven,” you’ll be able to order cable reel models from manufacturers or vendors that meet your space needs and comply with any regulations pertaining to your business.

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Static discharge

Also called grounding reels or static grounding reels, static discharge cable reels feature components like non-sparking ratchets to prevent sparks should users wind the cable quickly.

I recommend: Learn more about the benefits of static discharge cable reels and their many applications through the product descriptions on the CoxReels website.

Motor driven reels

Speed the cable winding process with motor driven reels that retract cables at the push of a button. Also called motorized reels, these units can be free standing or mounted on a vehicle, wall or ceiling for added stability.

I recommend: Discover the features of motor driven cable reels, including bulk-wrap, monospiral or level wind models, through the Conductix website.

Hand crank reels

When you need a cable or hose reel for small-scale applications, consider a hand crank reel to save space and electricity. Look for manual reels with removable cranks to conserve storage space.

I recommend: Find hand crank reels and related accessories in different styles for diverse applications through the Dultmeier website.

Plastic reels

Plastic cable reels offer lighter weight, no warping and easy assembly. Consider plastic reel models that lock together to store multiple cables securely.

I recommend: Read more about the benefits and specifications of plastic cable reels through the product descriptions on the Reel Core website.

Cord caddy

If you need to move cables or cords from place to place, a cord caddy is the right choice. Use cable reels for electrical cords that also feature multiple electrical outlets for convenience. Consider units with a resettable circuit breaker that are also UL listed for safety.

I recommend: See cord caddy models and discover additional product features on the Northern Tool and Equipment website.

Audio video cable reel

An audio video cable reel is a manual cable reel designed to easily unwind and wind when working with audio video cables. Look for lightweight units with easy grip handles to simplify set up and positioning of audio visual equipment.

I recommend: Campfield offers portable audio video cable reels that are compact for easy storage.