Outlet inside drawer

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charlie b

charlie b

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An inspector is saying that a receptacle outlet cannot be located inside a drawer. From my review of the installation detail, it appears that the receptacle will be mounted within a standard outlet box that is permanently mounted on a 3/4" plywood board. The cabinet is not moveable, and the receptacle would be accessed by pulling the drawer out. There would be a flexible conduit connecting the outlet box within the cabinet to an outlet box in the wall behind the cabinet. Is this an allowable wiring method?

The 2013 California Electrical Code applies.
 
Thanks. I had forgotten about that earlier post. It related to a different California project. I was on a conference call for the current project when I posted this thread.
 
IMO, this is unclear in the NEC. My gut is to not do it that way so what we do is mount a receptacle or plugmold to the bottom of the countertop facing the inside of the drawer. This way the things can stay plugged in and not be an issue.

I believe you know this but that outlet inside the cabinet does not satisfy the nec requirement for a bathroom receptacle by the sink.
 
My gut is not to mount a receptacle inside a drawer at all.
To me, the problem is not with the receptacle, the problem is with the drawer closing on energized cords.

JAP>
 
No idea about the CA codes, but I've done this several times. I don't use flex though, I use SO cord with strain relief connectors and a gangable box in the back of the drawer. I've never had an issue with any of them.
 
jap said:
My gut is not to mount a receptacle inside a drawer at all.
To me, the problem is not with the receptacle, the problem is with the drawer closing on energized cords.

JAP>
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Every time I've done it, the drawer was actually custom built to be a little shorter than the cabinet to prevent this.
 
MNSparky said:
No idea about the CA codes, but I've done this several times. I don't use flex though, I use SO cord with strain relief connectors and a gangable box in the back of the drawer. I've never had an issue with any of them.
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If I had to do it, I'd like Dennis' idea better.

Better to have a stationary receptacle and let the customer be responsible for not unplugging the appliance and shorting out a cord rather than a cord possibly shorting out that I installed due to the constant back and forth of a drawer opening and closing.
It's eventually bound to happen, but, that's just me.

JAP>
 
jap said:
If I had to do it, I'd like Dennis' idea better.

Better to have a stationary receptacle and let the customer be responsible for not unplugging the appliance and shorting out a cord rather than a cord possibly shorting out that I installed due to the constant back and forth of a drawer opening and closing.
It's eventually bound to happen, but, that's just me.

JAP>
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I see your point. I really don't see an issue with it. The cord really only moves about 18" maybe a few times a day max. It's the same cord that's being used on industrial machines that move constantly and for longer distances.
 
MNSparky said:
I see your point. I really don't see an issue with it. The cord really only moves about 18" maybe a few times a day max. It's the same cord that's being used on industrial machines that move constantly and for longer distances.
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I understand, and it is done all the time.

I just feel that any cord that's going to be moving back and forth, especially one in a residential setting, should be where you could see it so if any damage is occurring you would notice it, but that's just me.

JAP>
 
Is cord actually allowed to be hardwired to the branch circuit wiring in your area?

JAP>
 
I am liking the discussion. But let me clarify that this issue involves a cafeteria space within an office building.
 
charlie b said:
I am liking the discussion. But let me clarify that this issue involves a cafeteria space within an office building.
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Probably much less likely to have a wooden vanity with towels stuffed in the lower cabinets below the drawer that has the hair dryers and curling irons plugged in above it. :)


JAP>
 
charlie b said:
I am liking the discussion. But let me clarify that this issue involves a cafeteria space within an office building.
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Ahh, the plot thickens! So, what kind of drawer is this going in? stainless steel? What is the drawer installed in? A cabinet or just hanging under a table top?
 
There are commercially available solutions that use a metal swing arm to protect a flexible cord running between the fixed junction box and the moving receptacle box. E.g.: dockingdrawer.com, the first Google hit for "drawer receptacle".

Cheers, Wayne
 
charlie b said:
An inspector is saying that a receptacle outlet cannot be located inside a drawer. From my review of the installation detail, it appears that the receptacle will be mounted within a standard outlet box that is permanently mounted on a 3/4" plywood board. The cabinet is not moveable, and the receptacle would be accessed by pulling the drawer out. There would be a flexible conduit connecting the outlet box within the cabinet to an outlet box in the wall behind the cabinet. Is this an allowable wiring method?

The 2013 California Electrical Code applies.
Click to expand...

Maybe something like this?
http://www.dockingdrawer.com/
 
stevenje said:
Maybe something like this?
http://www.dockingdrawer.com/
Click to expand...

I've seen these before. I've never installed one, I hear they are really spendy. I've had builders ask me about them and then ask how much it would be to do it my way. They have so far always accepted my way. But, as I've said, the drawers are always custom built for my way. It looks like you would still need that done for this product.
 
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