Abstract: A cable drum 1 powered by an electric motor (2) for multi-conductor cables of heavy cross-section. To provide for insertion of the cable (4) into the cable drum (1) to be carried out without the use of slip-rings, twistable conductors (10) of high-elasticity are provided and are attached to rotate with the drum (1) at one end of a length L coaxial with the axis of rotation 1a of the drum (1). At the other end of the length L the conductors (10) are attached in a non-rotatable manner to a terminal box (15). The conductors (10) in the length L are guided between the points of attachment 12, 14 within a fixed tube (13). The terminal box (15) may be mounted on a slide 15a for movement in the axial direction of the tube and may be held under the tension of a spring (16) acting in the direction opposed to the movement. Alternatively the tube can be mounted at an angle to the axis of the rotation of the cable drum (1).