11 Industries That Depend on Commercial Power Cord Reels

Many industries rely on extension cords to deliver power to areas far from an outlet. They are used in factories, repair shops, retail stores, warehouses, and other commercial spaces. A management system is often needed to avoid cord wear and ensure worker safety. Using a cord reel helps protect power cords by keeping unused sections wrapped up, reducing tripping hazards. Power cord reels have numerous commercial applications, and here are a few examples of where they can be used.

The Commercial Reel: Power Cord Use in Various Industries

Elegant in design yet practical in its manifold uses, the power cord reel is an adaptable tool suitable to many industries and applications. With a reel, power cords can quickly and reliably provide electricity wherever needed. With this incomplete list of uses for a reel for power cords, readers can open their eyes to the countless ways this elegant yet simple tool can serve as a solution for various commercial businesses. 

Automotive Repair & Servicing

Mechanics and other technicians who work on motor vehicles often need to use power tools and diagnostic equipment at inconvenient points that are too far away from an electrical outlet. This often requires extension cords in auto shops, dealerships, fleet maintenance facilities, and other places that repair or service vehicles, for which many keep cabling from tangling by managing it with a reel. Power cord reels are often mounted on ceilings, walls, workbenches, and other workspaces, though some designs are portable.

Aviation Maintenance & Repair 

Workers who maintain aircraft or operate ground support vehicles at airports often need electricity far from a power source. Many hangars use various types of commercial-grade reels to keep extension cords organized. Power cord management is particularly important to protect cabling used for operating electrical equipment and tools used to keep aircraft in top flying condition.

Construction Sites 

Construction workers often use a reel with a power cord attached to bring electricity to where it’s needed. With a reel, power cords can be moved to run cranes, electric cement mixers, power tools, welding machines, and other electrical construction equipment. Commercial-grade extension cord reels are especially useful for larger construction worksites to bring electricity to places far from a power source. However, as most construction occurs outdoors, these cord reels typically require adequate ingress protection to safeguard against dust, water, weather, and other environmental conditions.

Entertainment, Events Management & Movie Industries

The entertainment industry must power audio, lighting, and other electronic equipment for performances, often outdoors or in large venues where outlets are scarce. Similarly, the events management sector requires electricity for conferences, fairs, festivals, political rallies, weddings, and other events, where temporary refrigeration, sound systems, lighting, and other electronics. Whether on location or in the studio, movie sets similarly require stage lighting and audio equipment power. To bring power safely and quickly to where needed, these sectors often use some kind of cord reel. Power cords can present a tripping hazard in these crowded situations, so keeping them away from high-traffic areas is crucial.

Healthcare Facilities

Clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities often need electrical equipment and devices used for medical purposes to be portable so that they can be brought to where they’re needed. Medical personnel must ensure all equipment is kept sanitary when dealing with patients. For a medical reel, power cord materials must have antimicrobial properties to protect against bacteria, mildew, mold, viruses, and odors caused by microbes. For the reel, stainless steel or other materials resistant to contagions are often used. 

Industrial Facilities

Extension cords are often used to provide electricity to machinery used in various industrial settings. Many factories, manufacturing plants, workshops, and other industrial facilities need readily available outlets. Meanwhile, loose electrical extension cabling poses a potential hazard to workers from tripping, while worn extension cords can cause electrical shocks. These dangerous situations can be avoided through the use of a cord reel. Power cord reels Six Sigma strategies, lean manufacturing processes, and other methodologies used to bring efficiency to production facilities.

Modern factories often use automated equipment and machinery that require electricity. Power cord reels help keep cables organized and safe from wear and tear. They can be mounted on workbenches, walls, mobile equipment, ceilings, and other areas, giving workers more flexibility. Retractable reels make power cords more accessible and allow for easy inspection for damage. This reduces unplanned downtime and improves safety by keeping cords from potential damage like burning, crushing, or cutting.

Retail Shops

Commercial-grade reels are practical temporary solutions for powering displays, electronic equipment at points of purchase, lighting, powered cleaning tools, and other portable devices. They help manage power cords for setting up displays, repairing shelves, assembling fixtures, and general maintenance, keeping high-traffic retail areas free of cables to prevent tripping hazards, reduce clutter, and improve efficiency. 

For these uses, appearance is often more important than durability. Reels and cords should blend with their surroundings, so color is key. One common application in retail is using cord reels mounted from the ceiling to power displays and provide power to various things. They are often purchased in white or black, blending right into the ceiling and rafters. They can also be tucked away so consumers don’t notice them. 

Alternatively, they can feature logos or brand names. Various mounting options keep reels and cords out of the way, like on shop ceilings, stockroom walls, or under checkout counters.

Utility Providers

Whether a private or municipal utility provider, utilities often require electricity out in the field as they perform repair work and maintenance on either public or private infrastructure. This extends to providers of electricity, garbage collection services, Internet, sewage, water, and other utilities. With a reel, power cords only need to pay out the length necessary while ensuring cabling is suitably stored and protected when not in use. Many utility trucks will often feature some cable reel. Power cord reels provide electricity in the field for power tools and other electrical devices used for maintenance activities. Modern uses extend to renewable energy as well, providing an economical charging solution for electric vehicles at public charging stations. 

Warehouses & Logistics

Electrical machinery is used throughout the logistics industry, in warehouses, packaging centers, truck terminals, rail yards, port berths for cargo ships, fulfillment hubs, distribution facilities, airports, and other points along the supply chain. These points require electricity for packing, loading and unpacking goods, along with powering conveyancing equipment and other aspects of logistical operations. Often, power cord reels are mounted on ceilings or walls in areas where electricity is only needed for specific tasks, keeping cabling out of the way when it’s not needed. This helps make these points along the supply chain more efficient, allowing quicker fulfillment to customers that can boost satisfaction levels.

Whether you’re looking for a custom or off-the-shelf reel, Alert Reel Manufacturing’s core competence is power cord management. Contact us today to learn more about our various reel types and other capabilities.