The shipbuilding and maritime industry operates in challenging environments where efficiency, safety, and durability are essential. Whether building massive vessels or performing routine maintenance on ships, the industry requires a range of specialized equipment to meet its unique demands. The industrial retractable cord reel is a key tool that plays an often-overlooked yet crucial role in these operations.

Industrial power cord reels serve many roles and purposes in this industry, from powering essential tools to enhancing the safety and organization of workspaces in shipyards, ports, and aboard ships. Let’s explore how industrial electric cord reels contribute to the efficiency and safety of maritime operations.

KH Cord Reel

Providing Reliable Power in Shipyards

Shipyards are vast areas where power sources must be distributed across large distances. Ceiling-mounted cord reels offer a versatile solution for delivering power exactly where it’s needed, whether for welding, grinding, drilling, or powering other electrical tools during ship construction and maintenance.

Industrial power cords in the shipyard allow shipbuilders to easily move tools from one section of a vessel to another without dealing with tangled cables or long extension cords. Retractable cord reels— also known as ceiling power drops—ensure that cords are neatly stored and can be reeled in quickly, preventing trip hazards and protecting the cords from damage in shipyards’ often wet and abrasive environments.

Enhancing Safety Onboard Ships

Safety is paramount onboard ships, where working conditions are often tight and cluttered. Cables left lying around can quickly become tripping hazards, particularly in confined spaces like engine rooms or ship decks, where workers frequently move powered equipment around. Ceiling mounted cord reels neatly manage power cables, reducing the risk of accidents. Ceiling mounted power drops keep cords off the floor and out of the way, ensuring a safer workspace for ship engineers, electricians, and maintenance personnel.

Corrosion-Resistant and Weatherproof Designs

The maritime environment is harsh, with constant exposure to saltwater, moisture, and corrosive elements. Industrial power cord reels designed for shipbuilding and maritime applications are typically made with corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or heavy-duty powder-coated metals.

Identifying the NEMA ratings on industrial cord reels is essential to ensure you choose the proper reel for your application and environment. Ceiling mounted cord reels can be designed for weather resistance, ensuring they can withstand outdoor use on ship decks or in shipyards exposed to the elements. Their rugged construction helps them perform reliably in challenging conditions, minimizing downtime due to equipment failure.

Customized Solutions for Specific Maritime Needs

One of the strengths of an industrial retractable cord reel is its adaptability. In the maritime sector, cord reels can be customized for specific needs. For instance, ceiling mounted cord reels can be equipped with different cable lengths, voltage ratings, and plug configurations to handle a wide range of tools and equipment, from essential electrical tools to high-powered machinery. Choosing a supplier with a wide range of industrial cord reels that can provide a range of configurable options is as important as the technical sales team, which can advise on the proper reel for each application.

Commercial boat builder opts for a KH cord reel solution.

Supporting Electrical Equipment for Repairs and Maintenance

In the maritime industry, performing routine maintenance and emergency repairs efficiently is vital to keeping ships operational. Industrial retractable cord reels facilitate maintenance, repair, and operation (MRO) activities by providing a safe and reliable power source for various tools and equipment. Here’s a closer look at a few technical aspects that make cord reels essential in these situations:

Electrical Capacity and Amperage Ratings

Ships and shipyards often require high-powered tools to complete repairs. For this reason, industrial retractable cord reels used in maritime settings are designed to handle a wide range of electrical loads. These industrial electric cord reels can typically support amperages ranging from 15–50 Amps or higher, depending on the specific model and application. High-amperage cord reels are crucial for running heavy-duty equipment like welding machines, grinders, and pumps. Choosing the right ceiling mounted cord reel is critical for this type of specialized electrical work. There are many things to consider in reels, including power requirements, cord type and length, overload protection, voltage configurations, and more. Often overlooked are a few things specific to MRO tasks.

Cable Specifications and Durability

Ceiling power drop cables used in industrial cord reels are typically designed to withstand harsh conditions. In the maritime industry, cables must be abrasion-resistant, oil, chemical, and water-resistant, and properly temperature-rated. Protecting the cables from wear and tear caused by contact with sharp objects or abrasive surfaces is critical in a shipyard or aboard a ship. Heavy-duty thermoplastic rubber (TPR) or polyurethane (PUR) cables are commonly used for their excellent durability. Additionally, given that maintenance tasks often occur in environments exposed to oils, fuels, and seawater, the cables need to resist these substances. Cables rated for IP67 or higher are ideal, as they protect against water ingress and contaminants. Finally, cables can be subjected to extreme temperatures in engine rooms, outdoor decks, or cold storage areas. Some cord reels are equipped with cables that can operate in a wide temperature range, often from -40°F to 194°F (-40°C to 90°C), ensuring reliability in both frigid and high-heat conditions. Users should ensure the overall limits of the reel meet their environmental conditions.

Automatic Retractable Mechanism

One of the key advantages of retractable cord reels in maritime repairs is their spring-loaded retractable mechanism, which allows for smooth retraction and extension of cables. This mechanism prevents tangling and reduces wear on the cables, making working in tight or cluttered spaces aboard ships or shipyards easier. The mechanism also offers adjustable tension settings, allowing workers to customize the retraction force according to the job. For example, when cables need to remain partially extended during repairs, a locking mechanism can securely hold the cable in place at the desired length.

Industrial electric cord reels significantly streamline repair and maintenance processes aboard ships and in shipyards by utilizing advanced features such as high amperage capacity, durable cable construction, and automatic retraction. They enhance the efficiency of these tasks and contribute to a safer, more organized workspace, making them indispensable tools for maritime professionals.

In the shipbuilding and maritime industries, where efficiency, safety, and durability are crucial, industrial retractable cord reels offer a reliable power distribution, cable management, and workplace safety solution. KH Industries offers a line of industrial cord reels in many configurations. Their ability to deliver power where needed while keeping cables secure and protected from harsh maritime conditions makes industrial cord reels indispensable. Whether on land in a shipyard or at sea, these reels help keep operations running smoothly, reducing hazards and downtime while boosting productivity.

As shipbuilders and maritime operators face new challenges, investing in durable, high-performance retractable cord reels will ensure they have the reliable power and safety solutions they need to succeed in this demanding industry. Contact KH Industries’ technical sales team and allow them to help you define the right industrial cord reel for your needs.