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VGA
What is the maximum cable length? OE Electrics supply VGA cables in 1.8m, 3m, and 5m...
Fuses help guide
A short video demonstrating how to replace the fuse in an OE Electrics unit.
What is HDMI | help-guide for HDMI | Trouble-shooting guide HDMI
What is HDMI? High-Definition Multimedia Interface HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is...
USB-C
USB-C What is USB-C? USB-C (also referred to as USB Type C) is the most recent USB for delivering...
USB Charging
USB ChargingIntroduction USB was introduced in 1995 and quickly became one of the most essential...
How to install a HDMI lead into an OE Electrics PixelTUF
Step 1 ...
USB
OE Electrics can provide a range of audio visual cabling and connectors, including HDMI
TUF-R® A+C 25W Power Delivery
OE Electrics’ TUF-R® PD (25W) is our next generation USB fast charging module incorporating the latest Power Delivery technology and a world first reversible USB A port. The new TUF-R® PD (25W) USB charger enables mobile devices to charge at optimum speeds. For a low battery boost, a quick 10-minute charge is all that is needed to add around 20% for the latest phones.
USB-A and USB-C – What’s the difference?
Find out the difference between the USB Type C connector and USB Type A and why it is now being adopted by all major manufacturers of mobile devices
How To Buy From OE Electrics
Confused about how to buy OE Electrics products? Simply contact us on +44(0)1924 367255!
What is Type-C?
Type-C USB is quickly emerging as the new standard for transmitting not only power but also data. What is USB Type-C? And why do I need it?
Universal sockets are unsafe!
The Plugs and Sockets, etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 control the selling of mains sockets in the UK. Universal sockets do not meet the requirements specified, and it is therefore not legal to supply them in the UK – despite the high praise of some media. David Peacock and Tim Hobbs explain:
TUF-R replace/upgrade
The NEW OE Electrics TUF-R5A has been developed for the future. TUF5A was perfect for your fast-paced life, but TUF-R5A offers the same powerful, compact and efficient power delivery with one fantastic advantage: it’s upgradeable!
What’s a GST?
A GST is a type of connector that allows users to connect OE Electrics power modules to one another and to the power outlet in the wall. GST connectors look like this….
Fuses trouble-shooting
This video explains how to replace a fuse on an OE product, with a UK socket with an integral fuse.
Customer Help Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Sales FAQ’s
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Do you have literature we can have?
How long is the warranty on your products?
What are the lead times?
Is carriage included in the price?
Can you send me a pricelist?
Can you send me images of your products?
How much will it cost?
Technical FAQ’s
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Whats the maximum number of sockets I can daisy chain?
1. BS6396 – The number of sockets in each power unit and the fuse rating: The maximum number of sockets connected from a 13A plug is 6, where the socket fuse rating is 3.15A – So if the unit contains 6 sockets fused at 3.15A no more can be connected. In a typical office solution there may be 4 sockets in an under desk unit and 2 in the desk top 4+2 = 6. It could equally be 3 under + 3 desktop or 2 under + 4 desktop as long as maximum number does not exceed 6. Where 5A fuses are fitted the maximum is 4 per feed from the 13A plug.
2 . BS7671 – Where the sockets are connected by an underfloor track or hard wired usually via a Power Distribution Unit. In this case the number of connected sockets may be larger but this will depend on the equipment likely to be used on the workstations. The potential electrical load on the supply and the nature of the equipment in use will dictate the limits. This type of installation will need to comply with BS7671 also known as the IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition. Check with electrical facilities manager with responsibility for the site.
Why have my fuses blown?
Fuse Failure in Power Modules
When BS6396 was published as a full British Standard in 1990 the allowable socket outlet configurations – up to 4 sockets fused at 5A and, up to 6 sockets fused at 3.15A – were introduced as a result of comments on the draft documents by the HSE. The purpose of the fuses is to restrict the use of the desk/workstation socket outlets to office equipment only with a maximum current of 5A.
Where socket configurations utilise a 3.15A rated fuse this clearly will be the maximum operating current for each socket. This should be taken into account when specifying desk electrical systems.
In most circumstances this allows the use of normal office desk top equipment. Equipment requiring an operating current in excess of these values should be connected directly to the building supply.
Therefore desk mounted sockets must not be used for heaters, kettles, coffee makers and cleaning equipment such as vacuum cleaners. Users of the desks and workstations should be made aware of these restrictions.
OE Electrics power modules are fitted with anti-surge ceramic HBC fuses as standard during manufacture. Replacement fuses should only be of the same type and rating as the OEM fitment. 3.15A fuses should only be uprated to 5A where no more than 4 sockets are connected from the building supply via the 13A plug as required by BS6396. Under no circumstances should the fuses be substituted with glass bodied fuse types.
The coloured fuse rating tags should be changed to indicate the correct fuse rating for the installation.
Failure of the fuses is not indicative of faults with the power modules but of overload from the connected equipment. This may be due to high initial current drawn by the equipment plugged into the sockets hence the original fitment of anti-surge type fuses.
Where fuse failure is occurring and 3.15A fuses are fitted consideration should be given to reduce the number of sockets to 4 per feed from the mains supply. This will then allow the use of 5A rated fuses. Where the number of sockets required at the desk is in excess of 4 with fuses rated at 5A then additional power modules feeding from a separate13A supply plug may be introduced.
In failing, the fuses have served the purpose intended – to prevent the use of high current equipment as set out by the British Standard, to protect the circuits and installation and to protect the staff using the desk.
Whats wrong with buying a trailing socket and using it in my office?
Electrical systems in office furniture must be undertaken in accordance with relevant Standards to ensure compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations; these are part of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Employers must be able to demonstrate that any electrical installations or equipment in use in the workplace comply with the Regulations. The simplest approach to show a credible compliance is to meet the requirements of relevant Standards which in the case of Electrical Systems in office furniture connected to the supply by means of a 13A plug is:-
BS 6396– Electrical Systems in Office Furniture and Office Screens.
BS6396 restricts the number of outlets for safety to a maximum of 6 outlets per mains supply feed from the 13A plug; each socket must be individually fused. Trailing sockets do not provide fuse protection for individual sockets and are therefore unsuitable for this application.
Also the use of trailing sockets also often encourages “daisy chaining” of the sockets by unqualified users leading to potentially dangerous situations.
Ref: HSE Guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations HS(R)25
Is It a legal requirement for units to be switched?
For other country specific units please contact the technical team who should be able to advise.
What is the situation with sockets inset into desk tops?
BS6396:2008 states in Section 5.5.4 “Socket outlets shall be positioned so as to minimise the risk of electrical hazards from liquid spillage.”
This means that socket outlets should not be mounted inset or horizontally facing upward in desks. When testing to BS6396 is carried out, the standard UKAS approved test is that cup of liquid is spilled over the sockets or in the vicinity of them if they are in an cable basket or tray. The liquid should not be retained on or in the sockets. Clearly where the sockets are angled any liquid would run off.
This will equally apply to sockets installed on office furniture in compliance with BS7671.
What is a PDU?
Are my units broken as the fuses have blown?
What is BS6396?
BS6396:2008+A1
Standard for electrical installations in office and educational furniture connected to the supply by means of a 13A BS1363 plug – Standard UK square pin plug
BS6396 applies to electrical installations in office and educational furniture connected to the supply by a Standard UK BS1363 square pin 13A fused plug. In addition to the UK, installations complying with BS6396 may also be specified in locations where UK electrical practice and sockets are also used such as the Eire, UAE, Singapore and Hong Kong. Furniture installations connected to the building mains AC by other means such as underfloor track tap-offs, industrial connectors or hard wiring are not covered by BS6396 and should be installed in accordance with the BS7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations.
BS6396 Includes furniture for use in educational establishments – Schools – Colleges – Libraries – Universities
The 2008 edition of BS6396 widened the Scope of the Standard to include Educational furniture. Effectively bringing electrical installations in educational furniture connected by means of a 13A plug under the same rules as commercial office desks and workstations. This change was requested by the British Standard Committee with responsibility for Educational furniture to ensure that students in schools, colleges, universities and training establishments enjoy the same levels of safety as staff in commercial premises. Installations in these establishments connected to the building AC mains by other means will need to comply with BS7671.
BS6396 restricts the number of sockets connected from a single 13A plug to a maximum of 6.
BS6396 restricts the maximum number of sockets fed from a single 13A plug supply to 6 when they are individually protected at 3.15A. These restrictions should not be exceeded as it may lead to overload or excessive earth leakage currents back to the supply. The sockets on BS6396 compliant installations areintended for use with equipment with a maximum current rating of 3A and must not be used for high current appliances such as kettles, vacuum cleaners, and heaters. If equipment exceeding this rating is to be used on the furniture must be connected directly to a dedicated floor or wall 13A supply socket. The cable may be routed through the furniture.
All sockets must be individually fused – 5A for a maximum of 4 sockets – 3.15A for a maximum of 6 sockets.
OE Electrics power modules fitted with our fused UK sockets are fitted with ceramic anti-surge HRC fuses as standard. Replacements must be of the same type and rating and comply with the restrictions as previously indicated. Under no circumstances should glass fuses be used as replacements even though the rating may be the same.
Furniture is to be provided with facilities for cabling and sockets
For compliance with BS6396 the furniture into which the electrical accessories and cabling are to be installed must comply with relevant structural strength and stability Standards. BS6396 requires that sockets should be mounted in accessible locations free from the risk of liquid spillage, and the safe routing and securing of power cords should be provided.
OE Modules available for both earthed and unearthed Furniture. For guidance please contact our Wakefield office.
Many OE Electrics modules when fitted with UK sockets are supplied as standard with a facility for earthing the furniture metalwork via the module. To aid this some modules, such as POWERUNIT, POWERBOX, come complete with a 250mm long 1.5mm 2 earth bond cable terminated with M5 ring terminal as standard. Earth leads are available to order for all other modules including those with non UK socket types. If earth cables are not required please indicate this on placing any order.
OE Electrics can provide a wide range of desktop and under-desk units correctly configured to meet the requirements of BS6396.
All OE Electrics standard modules are available with individually fused UK BS1363 sockets marked with the 3.15A or 5A fuse rating. In addition our new QikFIt UK twin UK socket module is fitted with 3.1 A resettable thermal overloads instead of fuses to enable BS6396 compliance.
Can you come to site and test the units?
How do your products fix to the desk?
Can I download images from your website?
What colours do you do the units in?
What’s a tap off?
Do you test the sockets?
Do I need a starter cable?
If the unit you are purchasing is hardwired to a Wieland or includes an integrated Wieland you will require a starter lead.
What’s a Wieland?
What is the maximum length of VGA cable I can use?
What is HDMI?
Why is my HDMI flickering or not working at all?
Please see our HDMI Help Guide for trouble shooting here.