IQS Newsroom Articles on Cable Reels
Cable Reels
Cable reels are reels designed to store, wind, and hold conductive or lifting cables for electrical or industrial purposes, respectively. Different retraction options are available for cable reels. A manual cable reel has no automatic retraction mechanism but is equipped with a hand-turned crank. A motor powers the retraction mechanism in electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic cable reels. In a spring reel, an internal spring is used to retract the cable. Cable reels are utilized in conveyor systems, various types of cranes, forklifts, forestry equipment, garage doors, hoists, material handling systems, robotic welding cells, theatrical and stage sets, aerial work platforms and light towers.
Cable reels are typically made of such materials as wood, steel, stainless steel and plastic. Cable reels are divided into five different configurations, including portable, live connection, collapsible, storage reel, and reel and cable assembly. While portable cable reels can be transported by hand with the use of an attached handle, live connection reels are able to transmit power while on the reel. Although live connection cables can be expensive and heavy, they have advantages for applications. Collapsible reels fold flat and are useful for storage. Storage reels are meant purely for storage, and cannot be used unless the cable is unwound. The final type, reel and cable assembly, contains a wire, reel, and other items.