Otis Singleton
Knowing how to coil electrical cords or cables is a useful skill that can help prevent tangling and prolong the life of your cords. There are several methods for coiling cords, including the over-under technique, the butterfly (backpack) method, and the spool method. It is important to avoid certain practices, such as coiling cords around your arm or connecting male/female ends, as these can strain and damage the cords, or create safety hazards.
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What You'll Learn
The over-under technique
To start, grab a section of the cord with your thumbs facing the same direction, then reach back and roll it. Next, grab it again but this time, flip it around so that your thumbs are facing the opposite direction, and roll it again. Keep alternating in this manner until the cord is fully coiled. This method eliminates unnecessary twists in the cord and allows the cord to coil in its natural state, just like it would have been wrapped from the factory.
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Avoid coiling around your arm
Coiling electrical cords or cables is a simple task, but it's important to do it properly to avoid damaging the cable and to ensure it doesn't become tangled. One common issue with coiling cords is that people tend to coil them around their arm, which can introduce twisting stresses into the cable. This can cause the cable to retain that twist when it is uncoiled, leading to a tangled mess.
So, how should you coil a cable without using your arm? One recommended method is to use the "alternating hitch coil" technique. First, ensure there is no twist in the line. Then, grab one coil length and twist it, then grab the next coil length and twist it in the reverse direction. This allows the cable to twist and untwist with each turn, preventing tangles.
Another technique is to coil the cable by holding one end in one hand and grasping a segment that is one circumference length away from the end between your fingers. Roll the cable towards you so that it twists naturally into a coil without any twisting stresses. This is similar to how cowboys coil their lasso ropes and is an effective way to wind stress-free coils.
If you're dealing with a particularly long and heavy cable, you can use the "elbow hand position" to shift the weight onto your shoulders and back, rather than just using your arms. This technique is useful when coiling cables that are too long to hold in front of you. Remember to alternate the direction of your coils to prevent tangles and keep the cable neat.
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Avoid connecting male/female ends
When coiling electrical cords or cables, it is important to avoid connecting the male and female ends together. This common practice can cause residual electricity in the cable to cycle endlessly, wearing down the lining of the cable and creating a fire hazard. Additionally, connecting the ends can put unnecessary stress on the plug connections and damage the internal wires.
There are several alternative methods for coiling cords without connecting the ends. One popular technique is the over-and-under method, which helps prevent tangles and allows the cord to lie flat when in use. To do this, hold the cord in your non-dominant hand and grab a section of the cord about an arm's length away with your dominant hand. Twist the cord over, creating a loop, then slide your hand down the cord and twist it under to form the next loop. Continue alternating between over and under until you reach the end of the cord.
Another option is to use cord wraps or spools designed for extension cords, which can be purchased or installed on walls for permanent storage. If you prefer to coil the cord by hand, it is recommended to leave a little bit of both ends hanging out so that you can wrap them around the center of the loop without connecting the male and female ends.
Proper cord management and storage are crucial to avoid tangled messes and extend the life of your cords. By avoiding the connection of male and female ends, you can ensure the safety and longevity of your electrical cords or cables.
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The butterfly (backpack) method
First, start by holding the plug end of the cord or cable in one hand, with the cord hanging down in a U-shape. The U-shape will form the wings of your "butterfly." Ensure that the cord is not twisted at this point, and smooth out any existing tangles or knots.
Now, with your other hand, reach between the two sides of the U-shape and grab the cord about halfway down. You will be making a loop with this section, so grab it at a point that will give you a comfortable loop size. Pull this section up and towards you, forming a loop that sits on top of the U-shape. At this point, you should have something that resembles a lowercase letter "e."
Next, take the two loose ends of the cord and bring them up and over the loop, crossing them over each other to form an "X" on top of the loop. This step creates the secure part of the coil, ensuring that the cord or cable doesn't unravel.
Finally, take the ends and bring them down and under the loop, crossing them again to form another "X" underneath. This second "X" completes the butterfly shape. You can now let go of the cord, and you should have a secure and tangle-free coil.
To uncoil the cord or cable, simply reverse the process. Hold the coil from the top and gently pull the ends to release the second "X." Then, pull the ends up and over the loop to release the first "X." Finally, gently pull the cord out of the loop to release the "wings" of the butterfly. This method ensures that your cords and cables stay neat and organised, and it's a quick and efficient way to coil and store them safely.
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Using a spool
To start, grab one end of the cable and make a simple loop. Then, take your free hand and move down the cable, gripping it. Now, twist the cable in the opposite direction while making the second loop. Repeat this process: grab the cable, make a loop, grab again, twist, and loop. You will notice that you are making figure-eight motions as you loop the cable. Continue until the entire cable is coiled up. You can then secure it with velcro ties.
With the over-under method, you can simply let the cable drop, and it will uncoil freely. Alternatively, you can hold one end and toss it to uncoil. This method works for both light and heavy cables, and for cables of various lengths.
It is important to note that coiled cables can generate a lot of heat in a confined space, especially if they are high-power devices. This can potentially lead to fire hazards. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid coiling cables that are too long and will be used with high power.
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Frequently asked questions
Some good techniques to coil electrical cords or cables are the over-under method, the butterfly (backpack) method, and the chain sinnet.
Yes, coiling cords or cables around your arm can strain and shorten their life. Connecting the male/female ends of an extension cord together can also cause residual electricity to cycle endlessly, wearing down the lining of the cable and creating a fire hazard.
One way to avoid tangling is to not pull the end of the cord or cable through the center hole before letting it go. You can also use a spool to coil cords or cables, although this can be bulky.
