Mercury 4 Gang 10m Cable Reel with Thermal Cut-Out - Red

The Mercury 4-gang 10m cable reel provides four 13A BS1363 sockets on a 10-metre flexible cable wound onto an enclosed drum with integral carry handle and winding knob. The cable reel includes thermal cut-out protection that trips automatically if the reel overheats during extended use, preventing damage to the cable and connected devices.

Designed for workshop, garage, office and domestic use where multiple devices need power at a distance from fixed sockets, the reel handles loads up to 3120W (13A at 240V) when the cable is fully unwound, and up to 960W when the cable remains on the drum. The enclosed drum design protects the cable from damage during storage and transport, and the moulded carry handle allows the reel to be moved between rooms or job sites without strain on the cable or drum mechanism.

The bright red housing makes the reel easy to locate in cluttered work areas or on construction sites. The cable is A05VV-F 3x1.25mm² flexible mains cable rated to BS EN 61242, and the unit carries CE marking. The thermal cut-out resets automatically once the reel cools to safe operating temperature, allowing continued use without manual intervention. The four sockets are spaced around the drum face to accommodate UK 3-pin plugs without crowding.

Why is the load rating lower when the cable is wound?

Cable wound on the drum cannot dissipate heat as effectively as unwound cable. Running high-load devices with the cable still wound causes the cable to overheat, which can damage the insulation. The 960W wound rating is the safe maximum before the thermal cut-out trips. For loads above 960W, unwind the full 10m length.

How does the thermal cut-out work?

The thermal cut-out monitors the temperature of the cable and drum. If the temperature exceeds safe limits (typically due to high load on a wound cable), the cut-out interrupts power automatically. Once the reel cools to normal operating temperature, the cut-out resets and power is restored without user intervention.

What cable specification is used?

The reel uses A05VV-F 3x1.25mm² flexible mains cable, which is a standard PVC-insulated and PVC-sheathed cable rated for light domestic and commercial applications. It conforms to BS EN 61242.

Can this be used outdoors?

The Mercury cable reel is designed for indoor use. The drum and sockets are not weatherproof and should not be exposed to rain, standing water or high humidity. For outdoor power distribution, use a reel rated IP44 or higher with weatherproof socket covers.