Coiled cables – also known as retractable cables, curly cables, spiral cables or retractile cords/cables – are a specialised type of cable that extends and retracts automatically. This is ideal for applications involving moving parts or machinery, as the coiled cables can extend, retract and bend along with the machine without human intervention or risk of tangling.
With the help of an experienced cable manufacturer like Custom Designed Cables, you can design custom retractable cables that extend to the exact lengths you require – perfect for a wide range of applications across a variety of industries, including the manufacturing, automotive, telecommunications, medical, and military sectors. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits and applications of retractable or coiled cables.
Benefits of retractable cables
Retractable cables boast many unique properties that are advantageous for a variety of uses. Here are the main benefits you can expect from these types of cables:
1. Flexibility
Coiled cables are highly flexible; in fact, a retractable coiled cable can extend to five times its original length! This flexibility is extremely useful in environments where the cable will be required to move around, such as inside moving machinery.
2. Space-saving
By automatically retracting back into its original tightly coiled shape, retractable cables save a significant amount of space compared to regular cables. This is vital in small work environments where every bit of space counts, or in complex machinery where power cables need to fit into restricted sections.
3. Reduced clutter
Another benefit of this automatic extension and retraction is that the coiled cables don’t create excess clutter like other cables, which can end up draped across the floor. Regular cables can easily become tangled in this situation, whereas coiled cables will retract neatly into their original position when no longer extended.
4. Durability
Coiled cables are designed to be extremely durable and long-lasting, and able to withstand a significant amount of stress. This is because they’re designed to move frequently along with moving mechanical parts, without experiencing negative effects such as excessive abrasion, kinking, and other signs of wear and tear. Retractable cables are also resistant to water damage, UV damage and chemicals, making them suitable for use in manufacturing, medical, pharmaceutical and outdoor applications.
5. Safety
One of the most important properties of coiled cables is their improved safety compared to other types of cables. Through their resistance to abrasion, mechanical wear and tear, and a range of other environmental factors, coiled cables can be safely used even in harsh environments. Plus, since they retract instead of cluttering up workspaces or getting tangled, coiled power cables can be a much safer alternative as people are less likely to trip over them.
6. Time-saving
By extending and retracting automatically as needed, retractile cords save time by removing the need to manually put cables back into the correct position. This saves a lot of time when people need to move equipment quickly, such as in busy medical settings.
7. Reliability
Thanks to their ability to resist wear and tear over time, coupled with their ability to move seamlessly along with moving equipment, retractable cords are a very reliable piece of equipment. This is essential considering the industries they’re used in, such as the medical and military sectors. Any mechanical failures in these environments would be catastrophic, so having a highly reliable cable with a very low failure rate is paramount.
8. Versatility
As suggested above, coiled cables are used in a wide range of industries. This is because they’re very versatile and can be installed in many different types of equipment, including vehicles, medical imagery machines, telescopic masts and more. Let’s take a closer look at some of the main uses for coiled cables below.
Applications and uses
Telescopic masts
One of the most common places you’ll find retractable cables is in telescopic masts, which are upright poles or portable towers with tubular sections that slide within each other to either lengthen or shorten the structure. Naturally, this is the perfect application for coiled cables, which can extend and retract automatically along with the rest of the mast, continuing to deliver power throughout.
Telescopic masts are used for a wide variety of applications, making coiled cables extremely useful, dependable and versatile. For example, telescopic masts are often used for security and surveillance purposes as they allow camera movement, and as such, they’re also used in vehicles with video cameras like traffic enforcement vehicles. Telescopic masts are also frequently used in telecommunications and broadcasting thanks to their ability to extend high into the sky and be moved to different locations. Along similar lines, these masts can be used for radio communications and signal strength testing in the military, inspections of chemical vessels for quality control, portable lighting in a range of locations, aircraft guidance, and much more.
Medical machinery
While coiled cables can be used for many types of machinery, one of their most prominent and important uses is in medical machinery, such as X-ray equipment, defibrillators and finger pulse oximeters. Retractable cables are very durable and reliable, which is absolutely essential in medical scenarios where equipment failures can be deadly. Plus, these settings are often full of various pieces of equipment, so saving any amount of space is beneficial and can help save time when staff move around the building. Coiled cables take up much less space and won’t clutter up the floor, which also has additional safety benefits by reducing the risk of trips and falls.
Due to the movement of mechanical parts in this equipment, power cables must be resistant to knotting and able to extend and retract automatically – coiled cables are the best choice for this. In addition, medical cables must be resistant to chemicals and frequent sterilisation procedures, so chemically resistant cables such as retractile cords are suitable for this purpose.
Vehicles
You’ll also find retractable cables in vehicles and the vehicle manufacturing process. In addition to being used in vehicles with surveillance equipment (as mentioned earlier), you’ll also find coiled cables on vehicle assembly lines and in electric vehicle charging equipment, and very strong coiled cables with a wider diameter can be used for articulated vehicles and trailer interconnection. Again, this is because coiled cables are extremely durable, can be easily stored, and can withstand harsh manufacturing conditions. There are many moving mechanical parts in an assembly line – whether this is for vehicle assembly or the manufacture of other types of goods – so this is the perfect environment for a strong yet flexible cable like a retractile cord.
If you need a coiled cable but are working with very specific and demanding requirements, you’ve come to the right place. In addition to supplying standard retractable power cables, we design and manufacture bespoke coiled cables to suit your exact needs, allowing you to fully customise:
- The extension length (up to 30m)
- The overall diameter of the coils (from 5mm to 400mm)
- The cable sheathing material (with options like PVC, LSZH, PUR and Hytrel – affecting the achievable extension length)
- Cable jacket printing and customisation – allowing you to choose your preferred jacket colour and have it printed with your company branding if desired
We offer some of the best lead times in the industry, so no matter how urgent your enquiry is, we can work with you on a solution within your deadlines and budget. Get in touch today for a quote!
