Curly extension leads 1 plug 1 socket?

moneysaver1978

casper_gutman said:

Emmia said:

Hopefully the reel users only use them fully unwound in order to avoid the overheating / fire issues that can arise otherwise.

It's important to be aware of the issue, but if you're just plugging in a laptop then it may well be fine. The specs on my extension reel say it's okay for loads up to 720W when fully wound, and 3120W when unwound. If you're in any doubt then always unreel it fully though, especially if the reel feels at all warm.

I agree but surely it depends on the length of the cable too?

casper_gutman

moneysaver1978 said:

casper_gutman said:

Emmia said:

Hopefully the reel users only use them fully unwound in order to avoid the overheating / fire issues that can arise otherwise.

It's important to be aware of the issue, but if you're just plugging in a laptop then it may well be fine. The specs on my extension reel say it's okay for loads up to 720W when fully wound, and 3120W when unwound. If you're in any doubt then always unreel it fully though, especially if the reel feels at all warm.

I agree but surely it depends on the length of the cable too?

Yes. The longer the cable the greater the resistance (therefore more heat generated), and the more thermally insulated the inner part of the cable will be when wound up in the reel (therefore harder for it to lose heat to its surroundings). Both factors will tend to worsen the problem of the cable overheating. 

My cable reel was purchased as a ready made product, with a known length of cable on the reel, so this and other effects will all have been taken into account by the manufacturer (Masterplug, in this case) in determining a load limit (720W in this case) for the reel when fully wound.

moneysaver1978

casper_gutman said:

moneysaver1978 said:

casper_gutman said:

Emmia said:

Hopefully the reel users only use them fully unwound in order to avoid the overheating / fire issues that can arise otherwise.

It's important to be aware of the issue, but if you're just plugging in a laptop then it may well be fine. The specs on my extension reel say it's okay for loads up to 720W when fully wound, and 3120W when unwound. If you're in any doubt then always unreel it fully though, especially if the reel feels at all warm.

I agree but surely it depends on the length of the cable too?

Yes. The longer the cable the greater the resistance (therefore more heat generated), and the more thermally insulated the inner part of the cable will be when wound up in the reel (therefore harder for it to lose heat to its surroundings). Both factors will tend to worsen the problem of the cable overheating. 

My cable reel was purchased as a ready made product, with a known length of cable on the reel, so this and other effects will all have been taken into account by the manufacturer (Masterplug, in this case) in determining a load limit (720W in this case) for the reel when fully wound.

This is really helpful and educational, thank you. 

victor2

twopenny said:

Well the one I have in my now minute bungalow is a perfect soloution but I find that no one retail seems to sell them now.

I;ve looked online and it comes up unavailable except for some unknown to me sites.

Is this some health and safety thing that has stopped them being produced?

Frankly much safer for me in a small place than tripping over long straight wire extensions that never seem to stay where they're put.

As already said, there's a potential overheating problem with a coiled lead if a larger load is put in it, such as a vacuum cleaner instead of your laptop. You could reduce that risk by putting a smaller fuse in the plug, but that doesn't make them safe to sell.

Couldn't you get a straight 1m lead and attach the socket to the side of a unit or skirting board where it will be readily accessible? Then you can run the cable tidily and make it more "permanent".