Electrical Installation Requirements for Furniture

1. Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this instruction is to identify the requirements for electrical installations in furniture and related items. The requirements of this instruction apply to:

• Furniture of all kinds, including office furniture, desks, exhibitors, panels, and similar fixed or mobile items.
• Furniture, mirrors, and bathroom items in rooms containing a bath or shower.

The receivers used in these facilities must meet the requirements of applicable European Directives, as provided for in Article 6 of the Regulation for Low Voltage Electro. To this effect, any furniture marketed with mounted electrical equipment (e.g., lights, switches, socket bases, etc.) shall be considered a receiver.

2. Furniture Not Installed in Bathrooms

Included in this section are tables, beds, wardrobes, sideboards, TV furniture, kitchen furniture, office panels (including movable partitions and removable), and, in general, furniture outside bathrooms or rooms containing a bath or shower where electrical equipment such as lighting, socket bases, control devices, switches, etc., are placed.

2.1. General

The electrical equipment and fittings to be placed on the items of furniture shall be located taking into account the mechanical and thermal stresses to which they may be subject, as well as the risks that may cause fire. In particular, the fixtures for installations on combustible surfaces (wood, cloth, etc.) must be marked with the symbol F, according to the UNE EN 60598-1. When the power dissipated by electrical equipment can cause excessive temperatures in an enclosed space, a switch operated by the closing of the door should be installed so that the teams are out of service when the door is closed (for example, the luminaires installed on folding beds).

2.2. Pipes

Cables may be placed in tubes or protective channels conducted within a channel made during the construction of the furniture element. The installation of pipes and channels has to be as indicated in the ITC-BT 21. The cables to install inside a cupboard until its connection to the local installation or inside the housing will be:

• Rubber insulated flexible cables (equivalent to at least the type H05RR-F)
• Insulated flexible cables polychloride (PVC) (equivalent to at least type H05VV-F)

2.3. Section of Conductors

The minimum size of wire shall be:

• 0.75 mm² copper for lighting installation and flexible conductors only if the length between the connection in the fixed installation of the premises or housing and the device farthest content in the cabinet does not exceed 10 m if it carries no outlet base.
• 1.5 mm² copper, flexible or rigid, in other cases if there is no basis of power supply.
• 2.5 mm² copper, flexible or rigid, in any case, if there are bases outlet.

2.4. Mechanical Protection of Cables

The cables should be adequately protected from harm, and especially against traction and torsion. Anti-traction devices are placed at points of penetration of the aircraft, and close to the wires will be attached to connections. The movable walls and the ends of the existing openings.

2.5. Connections

The connections must be made through sockets or terminals located in boxes with a minimum degree of protection IP 3X, and the lid can be opened only with the help of a key or a tool. The boxes should be placed so that they are protected against any mechanical damage.

3. Bathroom Furniture

For installations with movable electrical equipment in bathrooms, toilets, or rooms containing a bath or shower, the volumes and requirements defined in the ITC-BT-27 connection will be taken into account. For the fixed installation, the furniture must bear a connection with a terminal box fixed, irrespective of their electrical equipment. Connecting devices outside the wire installation of the building will not be used for connecting the inner conductors. The junction box with terminals must be accessible only after removing a lid or cover with the help of a tool. The earth terminal, if any, is identified with its corresponding standard symbol and connected to the installation of furniture. The ground electrical equipment to be installed in bathrooms or toilets must be fixed.