Understanding Electrical Connection Standards for Office Furniture in the UK: BS 6396 and BS 7671

 

In today’s modern offices, technology and connectivity are central to productivity. Office furniture, such as desks, workstations, and meeting tables, are increasingly being integrated with electrical systems, including power outlets, USB ports, and data connections. With this evolution comes the need for clear and safe standards to regulate the electrical connection of furniture in commercial settings.

Two primary British Standards regulate electrical installations and connections in the UK: BS 6396 and BS 7671. While both are crucial to ensuring safety and functionality, they serve different purposes and apply to different scenarios. This post will explore these standards, helping you understand when and how they should be applied to office furniture.

What is BS 6396?

BS 6396 is the British Standard that provides specifications for the electrical installation of office and educational furniture. It covers the safe installation of electrical power and data systems within desks, workstations, and similar furniture. This standard is designed specifically to address the needs of modern workplaces, where furniture often incorporates electrical components to enhance functionality.


Key Features of BS 6396:

  1. Scope: BS 6396 applies specifically to the installation of power distribution units and electrical systems in furniture intended for commercial use, such as desks and workstations in offices and educational settings.

  2. Voltage Limits: Under BS 6396, the maximum voltage for power circuits in furniture is 250V AC.

  3. Power Distribution Units (PDUs): The standard requires that power distribution units used in furniture must be compliant with BS 6396. BS 6396 limits the number of 13A sockets (built to another standard BS 1363) that can be connected to a single supply. These units are typically modular and can be installed with a variety of outlets, including USB ports and Ethernet connectors.

  4. Fusing Requirements: BS 6396 (2022) mandates that each socket outlet or circuit within the furniture must be individually fused with either 3.15A or 5A fuses (depending on the quantity of sockets). This prevents overloads and enhances safety.

  5. Compliance for Plug and Play: Furniture that adheres to BS 6396 is designed to be a plug-and-play solution, meaning it can be connected to a standard mains outlet via a standard 3-pin plug, without the need for hardwiring by a qualified electrician.


Applications for BS 6396:

  • Office desks with integrated power outlets for computers, monitors, and other office equipment.

  • Educational furniture with built-in charging points for laptops or tablets.

  • Meeting room tables with embedded power and data connections.

Below desktop power and above desktop power/data

What is BS 7671?

BS 7671, also known as the IET Wiring Regulations, is the UK’s national standard for electrical installation. It covers the design, installation, inspection, and testing of electrical installations in buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties. BS 7671 is a much broader standard than BS 6396 and applies to the entire electrical system of a building.

In relation to office furniture, an underfloor busbar system feeds each desk individually via a 32A tap-off. To power rows of desks, linear runs of busbars feed multiple taps offs via grommets to a residual-current device (RCD) located on a termination panel fixed within the desk (image below)

In-desk RCD connected via armoured cable to an underfloor busbar (BS 7671). all cabling within desk is managed and segregated via plastic cable chains (BS 6396)

Key Features of BS 7671:

  1. Scope: BS 7671 applies to all fixed electrical installations, covering everything from the main distribution board to the final circuit. This includes wiring, earthing, and the installation of electrical appliances.

  2. Voltage Limits: The standard covers electrical installations with nominal voltages up to 1,000V AC or 1,500V DC.

  3. Wiring Regulations: BS 7671 provides comprehensive guidelines on wiring types, installation methods, and safety protocols, including protection against electric shock, fire, and overcurrent.

  4. Testing and Inspection: Regular inspection and testing are mandatory under BS 7671 to ensure that electrical installations remain safe and comply with current standards. This includes initial verification when the installation is completed and periodic inspections throughout the lifespan of the system.

  5. Qualified Installation: Electrical installations that comply with BS 7671 must be carried out by qualified electricians. This includes any fixed electrical wiring or systems integrated into the building's infrastructure.

Applications for BS 7671:

  • Complete electrical systems in homes, offices, factories, and other buildings.

  • Hardwired lighting systems, HVAC controls, and industrial machinery.

  • Any situation where fixed electrical wiring is involved, requiring a professional installation.


Comparing BS 6396 and BS 7671: Key Differences

While both standards ensure electrical safety, there are several key differences between BS 6396 and BS 7671:

  1. Scope and Application: BS 6396 is specific to furniture installations, particularly in office and educational environments, whereas BS 7671 covers all electrical installations within buildings, including fixed wiring and electrical systems.

  2. Installation Requirements: BS 6396 allows for simpler, modular installations that can be connected via a standard mains plug, making it easier to set up without the need for an electrician. In contrast, BS 7671 requires that all installations be completed by a qualified electrician and often involves more complex wiring.

  3. Fusing and Protection: BS 6396 mandates individual fusing for each socket or circuit in the furniture, providing localized protection. BS 7671, on the other hand, covers a broader range of protective measures, including circuit breakers, residual current devices (RCDs), and other safety devices at various points in the electrical system.

  4. Flexibility: Furniture compliant with BS 6396 is designed to be portable and reconfigurable, allowing for easy relocation and adaptation within an office or educational space. BS 7671-compliant systems are generally fixed installations, requiring professional intervention for any changes or upgrades.

  5. Maintenance and Inspection: BS 7671 requires ongoing inspection and testing to ensure continued compliance and safety. BS 6396 does not impose the same level of inspection, though it’s good practice to periodically check that the furniture's electrical components are in good working order.

Image showing PC trolley power with managed cabling via a plastic cable chain

Conclusion

Both BS 6396 and BS 7671 are crucial standards that ensure safety and reliability in electrical installations, but they serve different purposes. BS 6396 is focused on the specific needs of furniture with integrated power systems in commercial and educational environments, offering flexibility and ease of installation via a standard 3-pin plug. BS 7671 provides the foundation for all fixed electrical systems in buildings (including implementation of the BS 6396 standard) ensuring comprehensive protection and compliance for more permanent installations.

For anyone involved in the specification of furniture sytems, understanding the differences between these two standards is essential to ensure both compliance and safety in their respective applications.

If you are at the furniture specification stage and wish to discuss the in-desk power and data options available, get in touch with our experts here at Technology Desking.

 
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