Electrical feedback.

[woody 73]

Hi,

I had an idea but I need some feedback:

Do any companies make a small reel type device(kind of like an air reel) but instead of air it would carry about 20 feet of 240 volt wire. So that I could plug in my wood working machines?

I guess maybe like my old garage the electrician hooked up a small pig tail in the middle of the ceiling and I had to move many machines in order to use it.

If you are thinking why not hook up a box on the wall yes that will always work but these machines need to work away from the wall.

I could pay to have each machine carry 20 feet of wire but I need your feedback before I hire an electrician.

It is hard to explain,but is it cheaper to rip up the ceiling and intall a hanging pig-tail (all my machines are on wheels).

Is it cheaper and or better to have extra long cords on all the machines?

Is it best to find some heavy duty reel mounted to the ceiling?

Please give me lot's of feedback maybe someone has even more ideas.

 

[ForceFed70]

A electrical cord reel should work. They are pretty common. I've only seen reels designed for 120V tho

 

[Falcon67]

You could put a twist lock socket on the drop and twist lock plugs on the machines. You'll save money on wire but the sockets and plugs are not real cheap. Add in the electrician' hourly rate and most likely a drop in a common area and moving the machines over to the power will be cheaper than running individual connections.

http://www.thefind.com/hardware/info-30a-extension-cords
http://www.durohosereels.com/series2400_2700.htm

 

[Keith_MN]

I do not know what kind of currents you are talking about for your machines, but I would just buy a standard cord reel and change both outlet ends to 240 volt configurations. This should work as long as the wire is rated for at least 240 volts (which I sure it is) and the wire size is sufficient for the loads. This might be less expensive than buying a special 240V cord reel.