Cable Reel Key Terms

Learn industry terms to choose cable reels that meet organizational and safety requirements
By Denise Ryan 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.

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