harry wrote:
On Wednesday, 20 March 2019 15:09:22 UTC, wrote:
As part of re-wiring the workshop I want to be able to pull down a
socket (on a flex) from the ceiling when required and then to have it
retract when not needed. The action would be something like a roller
blind: pull and let go to latch down, pull again to unlatch and retract.
The roller blind mechanisms are quite long and fit in a tube whereas I
need something that winds a string.
What do I need?

I have never seen anything like that.
You could have a non-retracting one using a socket from an extension lead
and a flex outlet plate


Thinking about if he wants something that actually winds the cable in then
many people already have something similar on a vacuum cleaner , a quick
perusal of espares shows they hold some units as spares which the OP may be
able to adapt. Or he could go skip diving, hang around the the local tip.

GH