What is the hazard of storing excess cable on the cable reel?
Electrical current flowing through the conductors of a trailing cable generates heat. When more heat is generated in the conductor than can be dissipated to the surrounding environment, namely the conductor insulation, cable outer jacket and the surrounding air or other solid material of the cable reel, the temperature of the conductor increases as well as the other components parts of the trailing cable. As the conductor temperature increases and exceeds the normal operating temperature rating of the insulation, 90°C for most modern trailing cables, the insulating properties of the insulation begin to degrade. After withstanding repeated exposure to temperatures exceeding the normal operating temperature rating of the insulation, breakdown or deterioration of the conductor’s insulation will result. Degraded cable insulation can result in a short circuit that may cause a fire or explosive release of energy. What should be done to minimize cable heating? Effective techniques to minimize
