Do you get many request to locate receptacles in the back of bathroom vanity drawers? Some of the interior designers in our area want to locate recptacles in the back of a vanity drawer so that the client can leave their appliances plugged in while stored in the drawer. How is this typically done?
Receptacles in drawers.
- Thread starter rbb
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Logan, Utah
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
Sounds like a fire waiting to happen!
Why would you ever want to leave a curling iron plugged in and left in a drawer? I personally would never install a receptacle like this.
JMHO, Chris
Sounds like a fire waiting to happen!
Why would you ever want to leave a curling iron plugged in and left in a drawer? I personally would never install a receptacle like this.
JMHO, Chris
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
I think that subject has come up before. Have you tried doing a search of previous posts?
By the way, am I correctly guessing that you have recently received such a request?
I don't know of any code section that would prohibit it. But I also don't know what wiring method you could use that would be sufficiently protected from damage and that would allow the drawer to open and close without interference from the wiring. In any event, I would call it a bad design, and would not sanction its use without first hearing a convincing argument in its favor. This is just one of many times in which the safety of the user must take precedence over the convenience of the user.
I think that subject has come up before. Have you tried doing a search of previous posts?
By the way, am I correctly guessing that you have recently received such a request?
I don't know of any code section that would prohibit it. But I also don't know what wiring method you could use that would be sufficiently protected from damage and that would allow the drawer to open and close without interference from the wiring. In any event, I would call it a bad design, and would not sanction its use without first hearing a convincing argument in its favor. This is just one of many times in which the safety of the user must take precedence over the convenience of the user.
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
Charlie B is, of course, correct that the subject has come up before:
Here, here, here & here.
However, I think this would fall into the Really Bad Idea category based solely on the frequency with which my wife forgets to turn off her curling iron in the morning. I shudder at the throught of letting her put in in a drawer.
[ January 10, 2006, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: Mike03a3 ]
Charlie B is, of course, correct that the subject has come up before:
Here, here, here & here.
However, I think this would fall into the Really Bad Idea category based solely on the frequency with which my wife forgets to turn off her curling iron in the morning. I shudder at the throught of letting her put in in a drawer.
[ January 10, 2006, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: Mike03a3 ]
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
Keep in mind I am no fan of rubber cord but the NEC allows it.
How could you refuse flexible cord?
Keep in mind I am no fan of rubber cord but the NEC allows it.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
Bob: How about 400.8(A)? The conductors under discussion are from somewhere within the walls (behind the bathroom cabinet), and they terminate at a receptacle within that cabinet. That should be installed using a permanent wiring means, not a flexible cord.
Bob: How about 400.8(A)? The conductors under discussion are from somewhere within the walls (behind the bathroom cabinet), and they terminate at a receptacle within that cabinet. That should be installed using a permanent wiring means, not a flexible cord.
tedge
Senior Member
- Location
- Camden, ME
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
How about having them remove the back of the drawer (or a portion of it) and putting the receptacle in the wall behind it? Granted the cord for the appliance would have to be fairly long, but that would get rid of the flexible cord issue. Just a thought.
How about having them remove the back of the drawer (or a portion of it) and putting the receptacle in the wall behind it? Granted the cord for the appliance would have to be fairly long, but that would get rid of the flexible cord issue. Just a thought.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
Charlie I don't like it but I think failing it is shaky at best.
I personally think the whole idea is bad.
Charlie I don't like it but I think failing it is shaky at best.
400.7(10) specifically allows cords to connect moving parts.
I personally think the whole idea is bad.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
I have done it .Not saying i wanted too but forced into it.Way we handled it was 1900 box on wall thats behind cabinet ,then from it SJ cord to handy box mounted on back of drawer.Trick is in the lenght of cord.I would have loved for the inspector to tag this.But it meets code even if down right stupid.Long term i cant help but see a problem,lets hope the gfi that controled it will trip.Sometimes even down right fire hazards are legal.
I have done it .Not saying i wanted too but forced into it.Way we handled it was 1900 box on wall thats behind cabinet ,then from it SJ cord to handy box mounted on back of drawer.Trick is in the lenght of cord.I would have loved for the inspector to tag this.But it meets code even if down right stupid.Long term i cant help but see a problem,lets hope the gfi that controled it will trip.Sometimes even down right fire hazards are legal.
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
I take the same stance here as Charlie.
I see no prohibition of a receptacle in the drawer, but I do not see what wiring method would be code compliant.
I do not believe that cords of any kind could be used in the cabinet for final termination to the receptacle, based on 400.8(1).
Cords in general when used as a wiring method are to be installed exposed for their entire length.
I take the same stance here as Charlie.
I see no prohibition of a receptacle in the drawer, but I do not see what wiring method would be code compliant.
I do not believe that cords of any kind could be used in the cabinet for final termination to the receptacle, based on 400.8(1).
Cords in general when used as a wiring method are to be installed exposed for their entire length.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
Do we not do the same thing in factories ? They often have outlets hung from boxes in ceiling on SJ cord.How is this differant ?
Do we not do the same thing in factories ? They often have outlets hung from boxes in ceiling on SJ cord.How is this differant ?
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
That is permitted in 400.7(1) and 250.50(A). In those cases, the cords are exposed in their length. Don't forget that pendant receptacles should be installed in boxes that do not have KOs, as the KO could be inadvertantly pushed in to touch the contacts of the device.
[ January 10, 2006, 09:26 PM: Message edited by: pierre ]
That is permitted in 400.7(1) and 250.50(A). In those cases, the cords are exposed in their length. Don't forget that pendant receptacles should be installed in boxes that do not have KOs, as the KO could be inadvertantly pushed in to touch the contacts of the device.
[ January 10, 2006, 09:26 PM: Message edited by: pierre ]
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
Pendant recpts. is another name for legal Extention Cord!!!!
I hate 'cord drops'
If I asked you,what has a 120vac cord cap on one end and a box with a duplex recpt on the other end and between them there is cord, How many people are going to say, 'pendant recpt. of course'
Pendant recpts. is another name for legal Extention Cord!!!!
I hate 'cord drops'
If I asked you,what has a 120vac cord cap on one end and a box with a duplex recpt on the other end and between them there is cord, How many people are going to say, 'pendant recpt. of course'
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Receptacles in drawers.
If you need to "throw a flag" on the play, how about 300.4? And in the 2005 NEC, there is also 400.8(7). Any conductor, and especially a flexible cord, that is physically located in the space behind a drawer, would necessarily be subjected to being bumped by whatever the owner chooses to store in the cabinet.
If you need to "throw a flag" on the play, how about 300.4? And in the 2005 NEC, there is also 400.8(7). Any conductor, and especially a flexible cord, that is physically located in the space behind a drawer, would necessarily be subjected to being bumped by whatever the owner chooses to store in the cabinet.
- Status