Do Docking Drawer Outlets Comply with Building Codes?Updated 10 months ago
Q: Do Docking Drawers outlets comply with US building codes?
A: In a word: YES. Docking Drawer outlets are tested by Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs), which are independent laboratories recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to test products to the specifications of product safety codes. Additionally, our Docking Drawer outlets are tested and certified by Intertek-ETL. Docking Drawer complies with accepted national standards (UL 962a and CSA C22.2 No. 21). Inspectors have recognized and approved certified products by Intertek-ETL for over 30 years. Intertek, originally part of the Edison Illuminating Companies, is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Q: Have any outlets been returned for not meeting US building codes?
A: NO. Docking Drawer outlets have been installed in homes, condos, hotels, sports complexes, laboratories, and even a few yachts in all 50 states.
Q: Can my electrician add an outlet or power strip to my drawer box?
A: Not one that will pass inspection or comply with building codes. Just ask Gary Ciuffo at Ciuffo Cabinetry. His customer added an in-drawer power strip to the bathroom vanity. Originally, the customer had requested that Ciuffo Cabinetry install a hardware store power strip inside her new vanity drawer, but Ciuffo refused citing that the installation was untested and unsafe. Not appreciating the complexity involved in safely adding an outlet in a drawer, the homeowner (or someone she asked) went ahead and installed a power strip after the home inspector had come and gone. The DIY project worked for a while, as they often do, but it soon led to problems. Going through her normal daily routine, the homeowner didn't suspect anything was wrong when she put all her items away in her bathroom drawer and pushed them closed. Unfortunately, the packed daily-use items inside the drawer combined with the drawer closing turned on the homeowner's hairdryer. The noise was muffled, and the homeowner left, not suspecting a thing. The excessive heat trapped inside the drawer slowly heated up an aerosol can filled with hairspray. Eventually, the can was unable to take the high temperatures surrounding it and exploded. Thankfully, the homeowner was out of the house and safe. The cabinet was not so lucky and was severely damaged. This story would have played out differently if the homeowner had used a code-compliant in-drawer outlet.
Q: Are Docking Drawer outlets approved for use in Canada?
A: Yes. The following outlets are ETL Listed for use in Canada:
- 15 amp - Blade outlet with 4 USB-A ports
- 15 amp - Blade Duo outlet with 8 USB-A ports
- All other 1514- and 2012- Blade Series outlets are ETL Listed for use in Canada with the Safety Interlock Outlet with Blade Limit Switch
All Docking Drawer Blade Series Outlets are listed to UL 962a and CSA 22.2 #21, and the Safety Interlock Outlet with Blade Limit Switch is listed to UL 498 and CSA 22.2 #42. The Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has the final say on whether an installation meets the requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code.
Q: What about all those in-drawer outlets I see on Pinterest and Houzz?
A: In today's society, where ideas are easily accessible thanks to websites like Pinterest and Houzz, it's hard to know what ideas, solutions, and hacks seen online comply with building codes. The drug store multi-outlet strips taped into drawers are staples on Pinterest, but they are far from safe. Docking Drawer outlets are cycle tested 500,000 to ensure safe operation for the life of your project. That is like opening and closing your drawer every 15 minutes, 12 hours daily for 30 years. Docking Drawer in-drawer electrical outlets include integrated interlocking safety features to increase safety and minimize risk. To ensure safe operation, 15 amp and 20 amp Blade Series and Style Drawer Flush outlets feature a thermostat that cuts power to the outlet in any event that the surrounding temperature exceeds 120°F.
Q: Why should I specify Docking Drawer outlets in my project?
A: At Docking Drawer, we're committed to creating innovative electrical products with the highest levels of safety in mind. We are the market leader when it comes to in-drawer electrical outlets and can offer a full array of ETL Listed solutions. Our patented and simple-to-specify outlets offer a reliable way to safely add movable outlets inside drawers while keeping your spaces organized. With roots in semiconductor engineering, nanotech, and medical fields, our Docking Drawer experts are well-equipped to design a safe, aesthetically pleasing outlet for your next project. Are you ready to find the right Docking Drawer for your next project? Visit our website or call us today at (530) 205-3625.