Office Furniture Power Outlet

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Agree, it's a complete assembly (UL listed, apparently) and as long as you don't do something like cut the cord and hardware it, in my humble opinion NEC is happy.

Got a chuckle from this unit requiring a 4.21" hole. Not 4.25"....
 
Thanks for the feedback.

I did research and found that these devices are listed under UL 962A...

https://standardscatalog.ul.com/standards/en/standard_962a_5

1.2 says not to be used as permanent wiring method of a structure or in fixed furnishings...

1.2 In accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, furniture power distribution units (FPDUs) shall not serve as fixed wiring of a structure or of fixed furnishings, such as but not limited to applications in permanent countertops of kitchens and bathrooms.

But 1.2 appears to allow such units as permanent installations in kitchen and bathroom countertops (or am I reading this wrong?).

IMO, this would present a hazard if used as a permanent method in a kitchen or bathroom application where utilization equipment such as kitchen appliances and bathroom hairdryers are used. In these applications, IMO it would be important that the flexible cord of the unit have a rating not less than the branch circuit it is connected to...which should be #12 AWG for 20-ampere branch circuits.

I could not find anything specific in Article 400 to address this. But maybe there should be.
 
shortcircuit2 said:
Thanks for the feedback.

I did research and found that these devices are listed under UL 962A...

https://standardscatalog.ul.com/standards/en/standard_962a_5

1.2 says not to be used as permanent wiring method of a structure or in fixed furnishings...

1.2 In accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, furniture power distribution units (FPDUs) shall not serve as fixed wiring of a structure or of fixed furnishings, such as but not limited to applications in permanent countertops of kitchens and bathrooms.

But 1.2 appears to allow such units as permanent installations in kitchen and bathroom countertops (or am I reading this wrong?).

IMO, this would present a hazard if used as a permanent method in a kitchen or bathroom application where utilization equipment such as kitchen appliances and bathroom hairdryers are used. In these applications, IMO it would be important that the flexible cord of the unit have a rating not less than the branch circuit it is connected to...which should be #12 AWG for 20-ampere branch circuits.

I could not find anything specific in Article 400 to address this. But maybe there should be.
Click to expand...

When you look carefully at UL listed power strips with attached cords which are designed to be screwed to a wall or piece of furniture you will notice something interesting:
The holes provided for attaching the strip to a surface are keyhole shaped, not round. I used to think this was just for convenience in screwing the unit down, but it is more complicated than that. Another reason is that this makes it easy to remove/relocate the strips without a need for tools. Thus they are not part of the permanent wiring of the building. They are still portable!

In the case of the Bonito unit shown in the OP's link, it looks like the spring clips do not make a permanent mounting of the grommet. (Although it may seem permanent at first glance.) Another distinction is that it is intended for use with a desk, table, or other piece of furniture. Not in a kitchen or bathroom countertop (although it may look like it suitable for that purpose.) Again, not part of nor a substitute for the permanent wiring of a building.
 
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Just as most of those round outlet systems for desks contain no way to permanently screw them into the desk..so basically just an extension cord to make your plugs easy to reach so you do not need to retire the site for plugs aboveboard the desks...
 
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