subject: Advantages Found When Using Retractile Cords [print this page] Advantages Found When Using Retractile Cords
Retractile cords have been proven to make the work place of any industry safer and easier to work in. This is because straight cords can become a nuisance and even lead to a myriad of safety hazards. Hence, the vast majority of industries are replacing their old conventional straight cords with retractile cords. Those entities who haven't yet will definitely want to do so.
The Osceola Fire Department in Wisconsin eliminated many of its problems by switching to retractile cords in October of 2010. Prior to then, trucks parked in the fire station were plugged in as they were charged. Unfortunately, drivers would jump in their vehicles and drive off not realizing the cord was still plugged in. As a result, the cord would be torn apart and dangle alongside the truck while it was driven. Whipping along, the cord would swing in the wind hitting and damaging passing vehicles. Also, these cords were a nuisance when the garage was cleaned. Since they suspended retractile cords from the ceiling, these problems ended.
By implementing the use of a coiled cord, an apparatus for counting cars for traffic flow studies are becoming increasingly popular across the country. The first system was developed by National Data and Surveying Services (NDS) in 2008. It consists of a camera mounted at the top of a pole and a recording device hooked up at the bottom. The coiled cord then runs inside the pole connecting the camera to the recording device. This system is much more flexible since it can easily be mounted on poles of differing heights.
A third example illustrates how a retractile cord improved an automotive device. CST in Des Moines, Iowa has produced an ignition interlocking device that prevents a car from starting up if alcohol is sensed in the air inside a car. Before using an industrial strength retractile cord to connect this device to the car's electrical system, a consumer grade straight cable was used. Under great stress and mishandling the cable would break, making the device worthless. With the retractile cord, this system has been much more reliable.
The three preceding examples illustrate how companies augmented their products or operations by contracting cable manufacturers to replace their regular cords with custom made retractile cords. These examples serve as proof that the operations of any type of industry having problems with regular cords can find solutions by implementing custom made retractile cords. With their spring-like operation, retractile cords not only allow flexible power usage but remain out of the way when not in use.
