16:59 Jan 25, 2007 |
English language (monolingual) [PRO] Tech/Engineering - Energy / Power Generation | |||||||
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| Selected response from: Tony M France Local time: 08:37 | ||||||
Grading comment
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SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED | ||||
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4 +5 | My two ha'p'orth |
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Discussion entries: 6 | |
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My two ha'p'orth Explanation: In all the years I've been working with electrical cables of various scales, I have never come across any definitive or authoritative statement on this issue. My own empirical observations suggest that "reel" is used for lighter duty, smaller items, possibly in cardboard or flimsy plastic: think fishing reel, reel of thread — and in many instances, an older-fashioned alternative might be a "spool". Remember too that "reel" can have a connotation of "winding something in", as in a fishing or a hose reel, for example. Whereas a drum is usually more substantial, possibly in sturdy plastic, wood or even metal, and almost invariably used for heavy-duty cables, rather than individual thin wires. I would think in your case of heavy submarine cables, there is no doubt that it would be a drum; I think the only ambiguity comes at the small end of the scale, where the crossover is probably a bit more vague. Interestingly enough, NS OED doesn't even give this meaning of the word at all, suggesting that the emphasis is perhaps on the central cylindrical drum on which the cable is wound, rather then on the flanges that keep it in place. If you think about it, this makes sense: most large cable drums have quite a big centre diameter, the flanges may not be that deep. NS OED has more to say about reel: "reel I 1 A cylindrical rotatory device on which thread, yarn, paper, etc., can be wound and from which easily wound off; any apparatus on which a length of material can be wound up and unwound as required. 2 spec.a A cylindrical device attached to a fishing-rod, used in winding the line. b A small cylinder of wood or plastic, with a rim at each end, on which thread is wound for sale and ordinary use; a quantity of thread made up in this way. c A cylindrical structure with a broad flange on which film or recording tape is wound; a length of film or tape wound on this;..." and for spool: "spool 1 A small cylinder for winding thread on as it is spun, esp. for use in weaving. b Any cylinder on which thread, tape, wire, etc., is wound; spec. = REEL ..." |
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