Yes. Unwind the cable fully before you plug in anything that draws a lot of power. A cable left wound on the drum can't release heat, so it can get very hot and damage the cable.
Why it matters
When power flows through a cable, the cable warms up. Wound tightly on a reel, the layers trap that heat. With high-power tools or appliances, the cable can overheat, melt or become a fire risk.
Jackson cable reels have a thermal cut-out and overload protection, which switch the reel off if it gets too hot or is overloaded. That's a safety backup, not a reason to leave the cable wound up.
How to use your reel safely
- Switch off and unplug the reel before you unwind or wind it.
- Unwind the whole cable before you plug in, even if you only need a short length.
- Lay the cable flat where it won't be driven over, trodden on or pinched in a door.
- Keep the total load within the rating on the reel's label.
- Switch on at the reel's master switch, then at the appliance.
- When you've finished, switch off, unplug your appliance and unplug the reel at the wall before you wind the cable back in. Wind it smoothly and evenly to stop it tangling or kinking.
If your reel cuts out
Switch off at the wall, unplug everything, let the reel cool, unwind it fully and reduce the load before trying again. If it keeps cutting out, see My Jackson powerboard or cable reel has no power or keeps cutting out.
Safety first
If the cable or reel is hot, melted, cut, smells like burning or sparks, stop using it. If it's safe to do so, switch it off and unplug it at the wall. Don't open it or try to repair it. See My Jackson power product is sparking, smoking or overheating.
Still need help?
Did this help? If not, contact us and our team will help.