Mercury 25m 4 Gang Cable Reel with Thermal Cut-Out - Orange

The Mercury 25m cable reel carries four 13A sockets on a rotating orange drum, mounted on a steel frame with a carry handle. The reel includes a built-in thermal cut-out that trips the circuit if the drum overheats due to cable being left wound while drawing current, and a 13A fused plug on the mains lead. The cable conforms to BS1366 and is rated for 240Vac mains use.

Designed for workshop, garage, event and trade site use where mains power is needed beyond a fixed socket location, the reel allows four appliances or tools to be powered from a single mains outlet. The open drum design with ventilation slots and the orange high-visibility cable make it easy to check how much cable remains on the drum and whether it's fully unwound. The steel frame keeps the drum stable when the cable is under tension or when the reel is set down on uneven surfaces.

The thermal cut-out addresses the main safety risk with cable reels: drawing high current through cable that's still wound on the drum creates heat that cannot dissipate, potentially melting the insulation. The cut-out monitors drum temperature and disconnects the circuit before damage occurs. Maximum load is 1200W when the cable is wound and 3120W when fully unwound, allowing safe use with power tools, lighting rigs, heating equipment and other 13A appliances provided the cable is unwound appropriately for the load.

The reel weighs 3.35kg including cable, making it portable for one person to carry between job locations. The carry handle folds flat when not in use to reduce the storage footprint. The orange cable provides high contrast against most workshop floors, reducing trip hazards in busy or low-light environments.

Why are there different wattage ratings for wound and unwound cable?

Cable wound on the drum cannot dissipate heat as effectively as unwound cable. Drawing high current through wound cable can cause overheating and insulation damage. The 1200W wound rating is safe for low-draw appliances like lighting, while the 3120W unwound rating supports high-draw tools like heaters and power saws.

How does the thermal cut-out work?

The thermal cut-out monitors the drum temperature. If the drum overheats due to drawing excessive current while the cable is wound, the cut-out trips and disconnects power. It can be reset manually once the drum has cooled.

What appliances can I safely run from this reel?

Any 13A mains appliance can be used, provided the total load across all four sockets does not exceed 1200W when wound or 3120W when fully unwound. Typical workshop tools like drills, angle grinders, lighting rigs and small heaters are all compatible if the cable is unwound appropriately.

Does it conform to UK safety standards?

Yes. The cable conforms to BS1366, the reel is fused at 13A, and the thermal cut-out provides overload protection. The unit is designed for UK mains voltage (240Vac) and uses a standard UK 13A plug.