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When the current Standards for Electrical Systems in Office Furniture were in preparation the arbiters of safety in the UK, the Health and Safety Executive were concerned that the wiring and power modules in furniture were not to be used for heavy current equipment. Hence the requirement in the Standard that the power outlets are intended for use where no single item of equipment plugged into the outlets, where provided, has a rated current exceeding 5 Amp.
Therefore the power modules should be used to feed office equipment only - not kettles, coffee makers, vacuum cleaners and fan heaters etc.
Most desk based office electrical equipment likely to be used and their typical running current requirements.
|
Personal
Computer - CPU |
2.0
Amp
|
| Monitor
- Colour CR1 type |
1.5
Amp
|
| Lap-top
Computer |
0.6
Amp
|
| Mobile
Phone Charger |
0.05
Amp
|
| Desk
Lamp - 60W Tungsten |
0.25
Amp
|
| Desk
Lamp - Low Voltage
|
0.1
Amp
|
| Fax
Machine
|
2.0
Amp
|
| Desk
Fan
|
0.25
Amp
|
The actual current drawn from the supply will vary depending on the precise nature of the equipment and the manufacturer.
Every piece of electrical equipment should be marked with a label which will provide information on the rated current or power consumption of the item usually on the back or base of the item. This will be in Amps for the current requirement or Watts for the power consumption. For the basis of simple calculation each 250 Watts = 1 Amp current drawn from the supply.
The most common fuse rating for desk power modules is 3.15 A allowing up to 6 outlets to be connected from each 13A standard UK mains supply plug. From the list of the typical types of electrical equipment likely to be used in the office environmental we can see that these will run from modules fused at 3.15A. Form Fittings modules are factory fitted with anti-surge HBC fuses as most equipment requires a higher current for a short time on start up and these anti-surge fuses will withstand short terms surges greater than their constant current rating.
Where equipment is close to the 3.15A fuse rating and difficulty is experienc2d with fuses blowing then 5A fuses may be used, but then only 4 outlets can be
connected from the supply plug. The fuse blowing is not a failure of the power module. The fuse has performed the
function it was designed for, to protect the equipment and wiring from overload and potentially any electrical hazards to the users of the desktop equipment.
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'Health & Safety' in the workplace:
'Power Master' Modules:
'Cables and Connectors':
'Harmony' Module:
'Shuttle' Modules:
'Floor To Furniture' Cableway:
'Standards for Electrical Systems':
'Alternate' Cable Management:
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