ITW GSE 2400 Cable Retriever

The ITW GSE 2400 Cable Retriever is a dedicated cable management accessory for 400 Hz aircraft ground power systems. It is supplied with 24 m (79 ft) of symmetrical output cable in a single piece, which stores neatly within the retriever housing when not in use. Retrieval is motorised and operator-initiated via a push button located on the aircraft plug itself, so the ramp agent can retract the cable without walking back to the unit. LED indicators on the aircraft plug confirm operational status and allow the operator to start and stop the connected GPU from the aircraft connection point.

The unit draws its operating power from the 400 Hz source it is connected to, and is compatible with any 400 Hz GPU — including ITW GSE's own 2400 series. Mounting options include boarding bridge rafter installation, free-standing positions on the apron, and hangar rafter configurations. EcoGate compatibility means the retriever can be integrated into connected gate infrastructure.

In operational terms, the Cable Retriever solves the cable management problem that exists when a compact GPU is installed without its own coil mechanism. Loose aircraft power cables are a documented apron safety and FOD risk; an automatic retriever eliminates manual cable handling, reduces cable wear from dragging across the ramp, and removes the operator behaviour variable that causes cable damage in high-turnover gates. It is particularly relevant at airports adding GPU infrastructure to positions that were previously APU-reliant.