The British Standard - BS6396 Electrical Systems in Office Furniture and Office Screens - was introduced to give specifications and guidance for the installation of cable management and power distribution systems in office furniture – easily – quickly and above all SAFELY. Compliance with BS6396 assists with meeting the Statutory safety requirements of The Electricity at Work Regulations and such installations are suitable for most general office situations.

The Standard provides information on the restriction of the number of mains sockets allowed and defined electrical parameters for electrical installations in desks and workstations where the connection to the mains supply is via a 13A plug.

Where the connection to the supply is directly connected  or from an underfloor track system then BS7671 – The IEE Wiring Regulations will apply to the installation

Office Electrics’ power modules and their components are manufactured to relevant electrical standards including those required by BS6396 and are 100% tested in our Wakefield factory prior to despatch to the customer.

The illustration below shows a couple of typical workstation installations for general office use.

BS6396 requires that sockets are individually fused.

A maximum of 6 sockets may be connected from a 13A plug from the building supply – when the socket fuses must be rated at a maximum of 3.15A.

Where 4 sockets or less are connected together then the fuse rating may be 5A.

Office Electrics power modules feature colour coded fuse clips  to allow  easy identification of the rating of the installed fuses.

Sockets installed on office furniture are intended to supply electrical equipment where the power requirement does not exceed 5A. Most office electrical equipment will run within the 5A limit. It should be noted that kettles, fan heaters, vacuum cleaners should not be used from the desk sockets.

For detailed information on compliance with Standards and Statutory Regulations or for assistance with your particular specifications and requirements please contact us and we will pleased to help

Please do not hesitate to contact our sales team for more information. We are pleased to help

+44 (0) 1924 367255

E&oe - information provided by Office Electrics is based solely on our interpretation of the Standards and we do not purport to be an authority on the Standards. If BS6396 compliance is required the Standard should be consulted.