Bayco SL-800 Retractable Metal Cord Reel (30 ft)

The SL-800 is a 30-ft spring-loaded retractable cord reel in a steel housing. The 16/3 SJT cord is indoor-rated thermoplastic; at 10 A over 30 ft, 16 AWG provides 30% headroom above the NEC 400.5 13 A rating for this gauge. cETLus certification is claimed by Bayco and consistent across distributor listings, but the Intertek ETL file number was not located in a database check on 2026-05-21. Three NEMA 5-15R outlets sit on a cord-end bar with an LED power indicator; no circuit breaker is integrated. Spring-loaded retraction includes auto-stop locking; some reviewers note locking variability and last-4-ft manual assist. Amazon shows 1,200 reviews at 4.4 stars with no widespread retraction or slip-ring failure pattern.

Right choice for garage and workshop use running standard loads — battery chargers, polishers, work lights, shop vacs — within a 30-ft working radius at or below 10 A continuous. The steel housing and Bayco brand track record place it solidly above budget no-name imports. Skip it if the planned load exceeds 10 A, if a longer working radius is needed, or if database-confirmed UL 355 certification is a requirement for the application; upgrading to a reel with a confirmed file number and an integrated circuit breaker is the better choice for unattended or high-draw use.

UL 355 is the US product standard for cord reels — it covers heat buildup under rated load with the cord partially retracted in its housing, slip-ring assembly integrity, and outlet block thermal performance. The SL-800's cETLus listing could not be confirmed in the Intertek ETL database as of 2026-05-21; the certification score reflects that gap. The 16 AWG cord matches the stated 10 A rating at 30 ft per NEC Table 400.5, with meaningful headroom. No circuit breaker is present on the housing — overcurrent protection relies on the building circuit. Cord reels generate heat when used at high load with the cord partially retracted; a circuit breaker on the housing is a meaningful safety layer this unit lacks. The steel housing is fully recyclable at end of life; copper conductors strip cleanly for scrap recovery; the PVC jacket is the non-recyclable fraction.