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A reel assembly for an electrical cord distinct from the reel assembly includes a reel onto which the electrical cord can be spooled. A power connector configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the electrical cord is on the reel. The reel assembly is configured to be connected to a p

A reel assembly for an electrical cord distinct from the reel assembly includes a reel onto which the electrical cord can be spooled. A power connector configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the electrical cord is on the reel. The reel assembly is configured to be connected to a power source and to convey electrical power from the power source to the power connector. Two or more switches are connected in a parallel arrangement such that electrical currents flow through the switches in the same direction when the switches are in positions that permit electrical current flow through the switches. The switches are configured to shut off power from the power source to the power connector if a temperature of the reel assembly or of the electrical cord exceeds a threshold.

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1. A reel assembly for an electrical cord distinct from the reel assembly, comprising: a reel onto which the electrical cord can be spooled;a power connector on the reel, the power connector configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the electrical cord, the reel assembly configured t

1. A reel assembly for an electrical cord distinct from the reel assembly, comprising: a reel onto which the electrical cord can be spooled;a power connector on the reel, the power connector configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the electrical cord, the reel assembly configured to be connected to a power source and to convey electrical power from the power source to the power connector; andtwo or more switches connected in an electrically parallel arrangement such that electrical currents flow through the switches in the same direction when the switches are in positions that permit electrical current flow through the switches, the switches configured to shut off power from the power source to the power connector if a temperature of the reel assembly or of the electrical cord exceeds a threshold. 2. The reel assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the switches is configured to open when it detects a temperature that exceeds the threshold. 3. The reel assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the switches comprises a temperature sensitive switch configured to detect a temperature of the electrical cord spooled onto the reel. 4. The reel assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the switches comprises a temperature sensitive switch configured to detect a temperature on or within a housing of the reel assembly. 5. The reel assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the switches comprises a temperature sensitive switch configured to detect a temperature near a surface of the reel. 6. The reel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sensor formed separately from the switches, the sensor configured to read a temperature and send a temperature signal indicative of the read temperature, at least one of the switches configured to receive the temperature signal and move to an open position if the temperature exceeds a threshold. 7. The reel assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the switches comprises a thermostat. 8. The reel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a ground fault interrupter configured to disable a flow of electrical current from the power source to the power connector when an incoming electrical current to said ground fault interrupter does not equal an outgoing electrical current from said ground fault interrupter. 9. The reel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a set of concentric, electrically conductive rings on an end plate of the reel, wherein the rings convey the electrical power from the power source to the power connector. 10. The reel assembly of claim 1, further comprising the electrical cord. 11. A reel assembly for an electrical cord distinct from the reel assembly, comprising: a reel onto which the electrical cord can be spooled;a power connector configured to provide power to the electrical cord from a power source; andtwo or more pairs of switches and sensors, each pair comprising a switch and a corresponding sensor, each sensor configured to detect a temperature of the reel assembly or of the electrical cord and generate a temperature signal indicative of the detected temperature, and each switch configured to receive the temperature signal from the sensor with which the switch is paired;wherein the switches of the pairs of switches and sensors are connected in an electrically parallel arrangement such that electrical currents flow through the switches in the same direction when the switches are in positions that permit electrical current flow through the switches, the switches being configured to shut off power from the power source to the electrical cord if each of the sensors detects a temperature that exceeds a threshold. 12. A reel for an electrical cord distinct from the reel, comprising: a rotatable element onto which the electrical cord can be spooled;an input power connector configured to be connected to an electrical power source;an output power connector on the rotatable element, the output power connector configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the electrical cord spooled at least partially onto the rotatable element, the reel being configured to convey electrical current from the input power connector to the output power connector; anda temperature sensor and a switch located on the reel and not within the electrical cord, the switch being electronically positioned between the input power connector and the output power connector, the switch having a closed position in which electrical current can flow through the switch from the input power connector to the output power connector, the switch having an open position in which the switch prevents electrical current flow through the switch from the input power connector to the output power connector, the switch configured to occupy its open position when the temperature sensor detects a temperature exceeding a threshold. 13. The reel of claim 12, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature on or within a housing of the reel. 14. The reel of claim 12, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature near a surface of the rotatable element. 15. The reel of claim 12, further comprising a ground fault interrupter configured to disable a flow of electrical current from the input power connector to the output power connector when an incoming electrical current to said ground fault interrupter differs substantially from an outgoing electrical current from said ground fault interrupter. 16. The reel of claim 12, further comprising a set of concentric, electrically conductive rings on an end plate of the rotatable element, wherein the rings convey the electrical power from the input power connector to the output power connector. 17. The reel of claim 12, further comprising the electrical cord, the electrical cord being mechanically and electrically coupled to the output power connector. 18. A reel for an electrical cord distinct from the reel, comprising: a rotatable element onto which the electrical cord can be spooled;an input power connector configured to be connected to an electrical power source;an output power connector on the rotatable element, the output power connector configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the electrical cord spooled at least partially onto the rotatable element, the output power connector having a substantially fixed position with respect to the rotatable element, the reel being configured to convey electrical current from the input power connector to the output power connector; anda temperature sensor and a switch located on the reel, the switch being electronically positioned between the input power connector and the output power connector, the switch having a closed position in which electrical current can flow through the switch from the input power connector to the output power connector, the switch having an open position in which the switch prevents electrical current flow through the switch from the input power connector to the output power connector, the switch configured to occupy its open position when the temperature sensor detects a temperature exceeding a threshold. 19. A reel for an electrical cord distinct from the reel, comprising: a rotatable element onto which the electrical cord can be spooled;an input power connector configured to be connected to an electrical power source;an output power connector on the rotatable element, the output power connector is configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the electrical cord and is not part of the electrical cord spooled at least partially onto the rotatable element, the reel being configured to convey electrical current from the input power connector to the output power connector; anda temperature sensor and a switch located on the reel, the switch being electronically positioned between the input power connector and the output power connector, the switch having a closed position in which electrical current can flow through the switch from the input power connector to the output power connector, the switch having an open position in which the switch prevents electrical current flow through the switch from the input power connector to the output power connector, the switch configured to occupy its open position when the temperature sensor detects a temperature exceeding a threshold.