All of our desking and tables is suitable for wiring up with cables and sockets for power, data and voice.

Each desking section in the listings illustrate the various styles of cable management on offer.

These can be transposed into the matching range of tables unless indicated otherwise. Below is guidance on the issues this raises with regard to cabling. Also listed is the variety of cables and sockets we can supply. Note that the sockets are split into desk under, desk top and through desk with further choice relating to whether you need them to accommodate power, data and voice or only power.

Note that the modules also vary in the degree they can be customised ranging from choosing the length of the hard-wired cables through to the specific nature of sockets, etc required. It is assumed in the listings that the voice cabling will be via Cat5e sockets but this can be changed on request to LRJ11 or LJ46C sockets.

safety

All electrical equipment and installations must be designed and tested to ensure their safety and to comply with the statutory regulations, in particular the Electricity at Work Regulations. Relevant British Standards may be used as a means of demonstrating safety and compliance with the regulations. In the case of electrical systems in office furniture the relevant standard for systems connected to the mains supply by means of a 13A plug is BS 6396:2002. Consequently, electrical accessories including the power modules must meet the electrical standards as set out in BS 6396 as part of the requirements for overall compliance of the desk or workstation electrical system.

testing

Office furniture electrical installations must be tested when completed to ensure compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations and BS 6396. Section 7 of BS 6396 sets out the procedures. These tests should also be carried out on reconfigured desks and screens as well as new installations. Periodic inspections and tests must also be carried out to fulfil the requirements for maintaining a safe working environment.
Tests should be performed by trained competent personnel and the results of the tests documented. Copies of the documentation should be passed to the client for safe keeping and future reference.

specification

The power modules need to be manufactured to BS 5733 with production and quality traceability to assist with ensuring compliance of the completed office furniture installation in accordance with BS 6396.

fuses

With the publication of the 2002 edition of BS 6396, all power sockets installed in office furniture must now be individually fused.
In our experience, office equipment rarely pulls more than the following current.
These figures are typical because the actual amount will vary depending on the precise nature of the equipment and the manufacturer:
personal computer 2amp
laptop 0.6amp
fax machine 2amp
mobile phone charger 0.05amp
desk lamp 60W tungsten 0.25amp
desk lamp low voltage 0.1amp
fan 0.25amp
Therefore, all our modules are supplied with a fuse rating as low as approximately 3amp unless 5amp is specifically requested.
The fuse rating of 3.15amp is the result of the following formula:
750Watts / UK voltage 240volts = 3.15amps.

loading

The above assumptions on the current being drawn by typical office equipment also dictates the number of sockets which can be run off the same power lead. BS6396 phrases it in terms of the following fuse ratings:
Six power sockets with 3.15amp fuses
OR
Four power sockets with 5amp fuses.
These rules apply to both desk under and desk top modules. Remember that the power sockets in a desk top unit count towards the total if they are powered from the under-desk power module instead of having their own power lead.
Also, no single item of equipment is to be plugged into the power sockets where it has a rated current exceeding the fuse rating.
Therefore, the power modules must be used to feed office equipment only – not kettles, coffee makers, vacuum cleaners, fan heaters, etc.
Equipment with ratings which exceed the fuses in the power modules must be provided with its own dedicated power feed. However, it is acceptable to run this power cable through the same cable management system as all the other cables.

segregation

The Standard calls for the segregation of the power cable from the data and voice cables because of the risk of inference from electromagnetic waves arising from flow of electricity through the power cable. The segregation is to be a physical barrier or a 50mm air gap. Also, if the segregation cannot be continuous then any gaps are to no more than 150mm wide. However, segregation is regarded as unnecessary nowadays because the cables are now screened to protect against interference.

earthing

Our desking with metal leg frames is to be connected to an earth route in case a problem should occur and the furniture becomes ‘live’. All the power modules are supplied with an external earth lead or it can be incorporated as an optional extra. This external earth lead provides the facility to earth the furniture via the power module should it be deemed necessary. The external earth lead is not the earth for the module.

trip hazards

BS 6396 also stipulates that trip hazards should be minimised by ensuring that the supply socket on the wall or floor is no further than 2metres from the point of entry to the desking. Care should be taken to not have the cables trailing loose along the floor. Moreover, the cable should be clamped at the point of entry. Where a run of desks is involved, this applies to the initial point of entry provided that all the desks in a run are secured together. For additional safety, our power modules include clips to restrain the cable connections.