Best type of cable?

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conny

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I have a number of power tools in my shed and now the cold weather is coming in I find the cables are becoming a bit stiff to unwind to plug in. What type of cable could I use to replace the original cable with that won't be stiff to unwind?
The machines most affected are a planer/thicknesser, Evolution combination saw, floor standing circular saw table, table mounted sander/linisher, 2 x hand held sanders and a biscuit jointer.
They present cable appears to be 0.75mm 3 core on most tools.
Shed has a small portable heater which I only turn on when I am in there and gets turned off each time I leave it to go indoors for anything. It is also switched off when I am creating dust/shavings etc so the shed never actually gets warm unless it's summer and the cables are not as stiff.
Before anyone suggests hard wiring them in, it's not feasible because I have to wheel them into the middle of the floor to use them.
 
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I would also endorse artic cable. The blue is often used for caravan hookups at 240v and the yellow for power tools on building sites at 110v. The colours are a convention but not mandatory. Both blue and yellow artic cable have the same rating.
 
SUNRAY said:
May struggle to get 1.5 HO7 into some power tools. 0.75 is adequate if that's what's already there.
Arctic flex will be more flexible in the cold but HO7 will very likely survive longer.
Click to expand...
I often re flex angle grinders and its a struggle to get 1.0mm HO7 into the strain relief grommet
 
SUNRAY said:
May struggle to get 1.5 HO7 into some power tools. 0.75 is adequate if that's what's already there.
Arctic flex will be more flexible in the cold but HO7 will very likely survive longer.
Click to expand...

If "the cables are becoming a bit stiff to unwind" as per the OP then maybe the 0.75mm is undersized already and the copper is becoming brittle.

In any case 1.5mm will have more mechanical strength.

I've not had a problem replacing cords with 1.5mm H07 myself.

I don't think pvc (arctic or whatever else) is more flexible than rubber at low temperatures.
 
artic cable isnt very flexible, its certainly not as good as rubber cable.
 
I have an old rubber extension lead in the same shed, (2.5sqmm I think and probably the old colours as well because I've had it a long time), and that coils up very easily, even in the middle of winter.
I think rubber is the way to go then. I'll ask for a 6" sample of 1.0mm and 1.5mm for trial fit purpose before buying the amount I need.Thanks for your replies guys.
 
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