Extension Cable Reel Making - DIY Video

[RCTURKA]

Hi, my new tool.

[terryjs]

Love the job.

Remember to be careful using reels with anything that draws a bit of current though

[DIYer]

Thanks RCTURKA! We've added your Extension Cord Reel to our Extension Cords category,
as well as to your builder page: RCTURKA's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Extension Cord Reel by RCTURKA

tags: electrical

[Toolmaker51]

Love the job.

Remember to be careful using reels with anything that draws a bit of current though

Did a sewer snake entangle an extension, or coil of wire create heat by induction?

[jdurand]

ah yes, derate a LOT if still on the reel, used in the sun, or you're just accident prone

[Toolmaker51]

ah yes, derate a LOT if still on the reel, used in the sun, or you're just accident prone

Alarming. I wondered which was the signal; smell, smoke, flames, sparks?

[NortonDommi]

"Remember to be careful using reels with anything that draws a bit of current though" - I got a major dressing down from an electrical design engineer I know when he saw me using a coiled up extension cord with only a few feet run out. Something I had done for many years without a thought. Induction apparently causes a lot of overheating, fires and shorts, something I'd not heard about and nobody had ever pointed out.
Toolmaker51 it may have been when the tool stopped working?

[jdurand]

A big part is just heat dissipation. Wires are rated to run in free air.

So, under USA code:

Derate if more than a few wires in a raceway (conduit/wire tube).

Derate if in a warm area.

Derate if load is over 80% duty cycle.

Derate if inspector is having a bad day.


So, when we installed our off-grid solar here I had to use rigid conduit (water pipe) but since it goes through the attic to the roof the wires had to be derated 20% for heat. Solar panels are assumed to be 100% duty cycle, derate another 20%.

Also the ground wire can not have any junctions from the stake to the battery controller. I just slipped by not having to use a ground wire the same size as the battery cables, that would have HURT my wallet!