Oct 18, 2026News & Insights
Extension Cords & Cable Reels: B2B Guide
How distributors, importers and OEM brands specify extension cords and cable reels: jacket type, gauge, length, plug standard and private-label options.
This is the sourcing entry point for extension cords and retractable cable reels at ALUX. It is written for electrical distributors, importers, OEM brands and industrial suppliers buying in volume, and it points to the product families and technical guides that match each decision. If you already hold a specification, go to the related products at the bottom and send us the details in the RFQ checklist.
Who this page is for
Electrical wholesalers and distributors building out a cord range. Importers and retail brands running private-label programmes. Industrial and MRO suppliers serving factories, workshops and job sites. Equipment makers that ship a cord or reel with their product. Project buyers fitting out workshops, warehouses and service bays.
Applications
Job-site and construction power. Workshops, garages and service bays, where a retractable reel keeps cable off the floor. Outdoor and garden equipment. Temporary power distribution at events and work sites. Machine leads in factories. Generator and site-power connections. European retail and hardware programmes.
Product selection
Use case | Recommended build | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
Outdoor job-site tools | SJTW or SJTOW, 12/3 or 14/3, 25-100 ft | Jacket weather and oil rating, lighted end |
Indoor workshop or garage | Retractable reel, 10-16 AWG, 25-50 ft | Wall or ceiling mount, swivel bracket, breaker |
Cold or oily environments | SJEOW (TPE jacket) | Low-temperature flexibility, oil resistance |
Industrial machinery and site power | IEC 60309 leads, IP44 or IP67 | Voltage colour code and earth-contact position |
European retail programmes | Schuko or Italian Type L cords and reels | Country plug standard and rating |
Cable type, gauge and length
The jacket code tells you what a cord is built for. SJT is a general-purpose thermoplastic cord. The W in SJTW adds weather resistance for outdoor use. SJTOW adds oil resistance. SJEOW uses a thermoplastic elastomer jacket, which stays flexible in the cold and handles oil better than PVC, at a higher material cost.
Conductor | Typical cord rating | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
14 AWG / 3 | 15 A | Light-duty indoor and outdoor |
12 AWG / 3 | 20 A | Job-site tools, general outdoor |
10 AWG / 3 | 30 A | Higher-draw equipment, longer runs |
Length is the third variable. The longer the run, the more voltage you lose, so a long run needs a heavier conductor rather than a longer thin one. Give us the run length and the connected load and we will size the conductor with you.
OEM and private-label options
Jacket colour. Cable length. Plug and socket standard for the destination market. Moulded or printed logo. Print legend on the jacket. Retail packaging (polybag, header card, colour box). Barcode and label artwork. Model marking on product and carton. Minimum order quantity and lead time depend on the combination you choose, so we confirm them against your specification rather than quoting one blanket number.
Related products
SJTW outdoor extension cords: 25 ft lighted 12/3 SJTW cord, 50 ft 12/3 SJTW, 75 ft 12/3 SJTW, 100 ft 12/3 SJTW
Related technical guides
12/3 SJTW extension cord: specs, amp rating and uses · Is SJEOW worth the extra cost over SJTW? · How to specify an industrial retractable cord reel
FAQ
Can you build to an existing sample? Yes. Send the sample or its spec sheet and we quote against it, including jacket, conductor and plug standard.
Can the plug standard be changed for our market? Yes. We build to the plug and socket standard of the destination market - confirm the standard when you send the enquiry.
Do you supply retail packaging? Yes. Polybag, header card and colour box are available, with barcode and label artwork supplied by you or produced to your brief.
What determines MOQ and lead time? The combination of jacket type, conductor size, length, plug tooling and packaging. We confirm these per specification.
More sourcing guides
Request a quote
To get an accurate quote, send: destination market; voltage and current; plug and socket standard; cable type, conductor size and length; quantity; packaging and private-label requirements.