Feeding a mains outlet from a PDU.

[BamBam95]

Good afternoon All,
i have been advised that it's ok to install a double gang standard mains socket on a piece of furniture fed from a 10amp outlet of a 6 way 3 pin plug power distribution block. Can this be done by using a 10amp fuse in the plug that feeds the outlet?
I don't believe this is right, but would like to know the reasons why so i can put them to the 'powers that be', at which point get an electrician in if necessary... Thank you all!

 

[Tom256]

Good afternoon All,
i have been advised that it's ok to install a double gang standard mains socket on a piece of furniture fed from a 10amp outlet of a 6 way 3 pin plug power distribution block. Can this be done by using a 10amp fuse in the plug that feeds the outlet?
I don't believe this is right, but would like to know the reasons why so i can put them to the 'powers that be', at which point get an electrician in if necessary... Thank you all!

Need a lot more information and you are correct to have doubt, STOP, and my default position at this point is for you to ask the person who told you it is 'OK' where are they pulling that information from.

BS 7671 wiring regulations ends (in simple terms) at the end of the fixed wiring and this furniture may not be fixed wiring... however, that aside it does not not mean that 'anything now goes'.

What exactly is this item of furniture that you're being asked to fit a BS 1363 Socket onto?
Is it for a piece of office furniture if so you are not aware of the fusing requirements on a socket incorporated into office furniture [which I will add is in your favour for the purpose of this - reason below (there are regulations for office furniture)

Regardless: The EAWR 1989 (I take it you are at work doing this) Regulation 16 requires persons to be competent to work [see quoted below] and from what you have asked so far I would respectfully suggest that is not the case.

For your reference The Electricity At Work Regulations 1989 are Statutory = Law.
R.16 :
No person shall be engaged in any work activity where technical knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent danger or, where appropriate, injury, unless he possesses such knowledge or experience, or is under such degree of supervision as may be appropriate having regard to the nature of the work.

If you are not comfortable I would quote back EAWR R16 and not a court in the land would challange your stance.

edit: typo

 

[mainline]

Good afternoon All,
i have been advised that it's ok to install a double gang standard mains socket on a piece of furniture fed from a 10amp outlet of a 6 way 3 pin plug power distribution block. Can this be done by using a 10amp fuse in the plug that feeds the outlet?
I don't believe this is right, but would like to know the reasons why so i can put them to the 'powers that be', at which point get an electrician in if necessary... Thank you all!

What is the item of furniture ?
Why does the outlet have to be fixed to it?


There are many items of furniture that have a mains supply to them.

 

[Tom256]

There are many items of furniture that have a mains supply to them.

Indeed and may I add for the OP that the person who does fit these items takes on the duties in law for the design and safe operation of such.
It all comes down to could you do so and demonstrate competency? If not you should not be touching this

 

[mainline]

Indeed and may I add for the OP that the person who does fit these items takes on the duties in law for the design and safe operation of such.
It all comes down to could you do so and demonstrate competency? If not you should not be touching this

Nobody seems to give a second thought when using an extension lead to supply their laptop etc.

 

[Tom256]

Nobody seems to give a second thought when using an extension lead to supply their laptop etc.

Yes that is true [although some work places will not allow such].
Yet, the original post suggests [from my reading of it] that what is being asked is to do more than run out an extension lead to an item of furniture.

To the specific question asked here and the suggested response to take to the employer. That the person is uncertain on their competency, expresses such and feels this is a job for a competent Electrician.
It would seem [to me] this is at a place of work / act of work and EAWR 1989 r16 is clear that a person not competent to do the [electrical] work shall not be engaged in such work activity

What is the point in offering non-statutory guidance when a statutory regulation exists

 

[Simon47]

I can't see what the fuss is about.
It's common to have extensions rated less than 13A (e.g. those rated 3A with thinner cable).
It's also very common to have extensions where the sockets can't all be fully loaded - e.g. with a 4 way extension, you still only have 13A toymtal to play with.
So, provided the installation uses cable & fitting with appropriate fusing, and is done safely (e.g. you can't just stick a socket & surface box on the end of a cable without adding strain relief), I don't see what the fuss is about.

 

[Tom256]

An Extension lead yes, no issue used all the time is that the question?

Installing a socket into/onto a piece of 'furniture' that is to be connected to the fixed wiring - then one might want to refer to BS6396:2022 and it's requirements set against ALL types of furniture... 10Amp fuse not as per BS6396:2022. Earthing? Cable length? Cable supports? and so on. Or then again don't, I'm not the designer or installer but for sure I can say workplace = EAWR 1989. That the OP was insightful to question.

I do not know what this 'furniture is, the story behind the need to ask, if the furniture once modified is to be sold on to a client, is it for an office, perhaps it is no more than an extension lead to be cable tied to an desk leg, is it a sofa and someone wants it for a phone charger. There is nothing, nothing more than what is in the opening post.

As such I have focused only on what has been asked - and that I can confirm I have clearly understood - based on the limited information supplied (at least I believe I have):
That is this question by precis: The OP is not comfortable with the task as defined in opening post, I applaude the integrity to say as much by the way.
The OP would prefer this to be done by a competent electrician brought in and is asking what the situation is with regards speaking to 'the powers that be' about this so an electrician can be brought in to carry out the work.
That is what I have answered. Maybe I have misread it.

 

[BamBam95]

An Extension lead yes, no issue used all the time is that the question?

Installing a socket into/onto a piece of 'furniture' that is to be connected to the fixed wiring - then one might want to refer to BS6396:2022 and it's requirements set against ALL types of furniture... 10Amp fuse not as per BS6396:2022. Earthing? Cable length? Cable supports? and so on. Or then again don't, I'm not the designer or installer but for sure I can say workplace = EAWR 1989. That the OP was insightful to question.

I do not know what this 'furniture is, the story behind the need to ask, if the furniture once modified is to be sold on to a client, is it for an office, perhaps it is no more than an extension lead to be cable tied to an desk leg, is it a sofa and someone wants it for a phone charger. There is nothing, nothing more than what is in the opening post.

As such I have focused only on what has been asked - and that I can confirm I have clearly understood - based on the limited information supplied (at least I believe I have):
That is this question by precis: The OP is not comfortable with the task as defined in opening post, I applaude the integrity to say as much by the way.
The OP would prefer this to be done by a competent electrician brought in and is asking what the situation is with regards speaking to 'the powers that be' about this so an electrician can be brought in to carry out the work.
That is what I have answered. Maybe I have misread it.

Thank you both for your responses, sorry for the lack of my own.. first time on here, so hoping i'm replying the correct way. To answer the direct question regarding the furniture- It is a wooden credenza cabinet on wheels which houses some audio equipment- hence the PDU being in place - this is fed from a BS1363 socket itself, and so in essence the PDU is an extension block, of sorts. The BS1363 socket needing to be installed into this credenza is to allow users to plug in laptops and phones (to use with the audio equipment). i work in the Audio field, and although i'm comfortable with simple electrics, i'm very aware there is lots of regulations i'm not privy to, and therefore wanted to check with the knowledgeable folk on here. I was thinking, perhaps a BS1363 socket specifically needed to be wired with T&E, or, be part of a fixed circuit, or capable of supporting a certain load..etc. Many thanks again.