Our newest Docking Drawer and Style Drawer Blade outlets are one-of-a-kind in the world of safe, efficient in-drawer outlet solutions. They were designed to eliminate the need for drawer box modifications and naturally fit into standard spaces commonly found in frameless, framed, and inset cabinets. Plus their all-new arm structure makes adding these in-drawer outlets to any project easy. Requiring only 2" of space behind the drawer box, our Blade outlet solutions can be specified at any stage of your project—beginning, middle or end. This means that they can be installed by the manufacturer before your new cabinets are shipped to you, or they can be installed by your contractor, or on the job site. This makes them an incredibly popular choice among our partners and our customers.
Because Blade is becoming our most popular outlet, we get a lot of questions. That's why we've put together a list of FAQs for our customers, and partners. Don't see your question below? You can still contact us!
WHICH BLADE SERIES OUTLET SHOULD I USE?
Q: How do I know if I need a Docking Drawer Blade or a Style Drawer Blade outlet?
A: Docking Drawer Blade outlets have a max current of 3 amps and are designed to charge technology devices like cell phones, tables, and laptop computers. Style Drawer Blade outlets have a max current of 20 amps and are built to power small appliances like hairdryers. Both require just 2" of space behind the drawer box.
Q: How do I specify the right sized outlet for my project?
A: Outlets are sized by cabinet depth. To specify the right size outlet for your project, follow these three steps:
As an example, if your kitchen cabinet is 24" deep and the drawer is at least 15" wide, a Docking Drawer Blade is the right sized outlet for your project.
Q: How much room do I need behind the drawer box for the Docking Drawer Blade and Style Drawer Blade Outlets?
A: You only need 2" of space from the back of the drawer box to the back of the cabinet to install Blade outlets.
Q: What if I have more than 2" of space? Will a Blade in-drawer outlets still work?
A: Yes, 2" is the minimum so if your cabinet has more space, that is ok.
Q: What modifications are needed to install a Docking Drawer Blade outlet into my cabinet?
A: None. Typically no modifications are needed as long as the drawer is wide enough. A cut out is needed in the back of the drawer box to allow for mounting.
Remember that a common kitchen base cabinet size is 24" deep with a 21" drawer box on soft close undermount slides. Accounting for the backer and nailer, there typically is 2" of space remaining behind the drawer box. So, in this case the Blade in-drawer outlet will fit without a need to modify the drawer box as long as the drawer is tall and wide enough. See the Docking Drawer Support Library for more details.
Q: What modifications are needed to install a Style Drawer Blade outlet into my cabinet?
A: None. Typically no modifications are needed as long as the drawer is tall and wide enough. A cut out is needed in the back of the drawer box to allow for mounting.
Remember that common bathroom vanities are 21" deep with an 18" drawer box on soft close undermount slides. Accounting for the backer and nailer, there typically is 2" of space remaining behind the drawer box. So in this case, a Style Drawer 21 Blade in-drawer outlet will fit without needing to modify the drawer box as long as the drawer is tall and wide enough. See the Docking Drawer Specification Library for more details.
Q: My drawer isn't wide enough for the Docking Drawer Blade outlet. Do you make a more narrow charging outlet?
A: Yes. Check out the USB Narrow outlet. If your drawer is already installed, you may need to shorten your drawer box to accommodate the outlet.
Q: My drawer isn't wide enough for the Style Drawer 21 Blade. Do you make a more narrow Powering outlet?
A: Yes. Check out the Style Drawer 21 Flush. If your drawer is already installed, you may need to shorten your drawer box to accommodate the outlet.
INSTALLATION QUESTIONS
Q: How are Docking Drawer Blade and Style Drawer Blade outlets installed?
A: Blade series outlets can be installed in 3 easy steps. First, add the receptacle box cut out to the drawer. There's a template for this on the Support Library. Second, mount the receptacle box to the drawer box and the rear mounting bracket with just a few screws. Last, connect your Blade series outlet to a power source.
Q: Why won't my Docking Drawer Blade outlet work with my hair dryer?
A: Blade Charging outlets are designed for charging small devices like laptops, tablets, and cell phones. They feature a built-in circuit breaker to prevent high power devices such as hair dryers from being used. To power small appliances, like a hair dryer, you need a Style Drawer Blade outlet.
Q: My Docking Drawer Blade outlet keeps tripping when a hair dryer gets plugged into it. Why?
A: You are likely plugging your appliance into a Docking Drawer charging outlet that is rated for just 3 amps. For example, an 1800 watt hair dryer draws 15 amps. You'll need a Style Drawer series Powering outlet that is rated for 20 amps to power a hair dryer or other high powered appliances.
Q: Can the charging outlet circuit breaker be bypassed?
A: No. Making any modifications to our unit voids the warranty. Additionally the outlet will no longer be ETL-listed so it won't pass inspections. And it's not safe! Wiring is a lighter gauge that is not designed to carry the current required by a hair dryer. Use a Style Drawer Blade outlet for high powered applications.
Q: How much bigger are Style Drawer Blade outlets than your other Powering outlets?
A: Our Blade Powering outlets are taller and wider than our other popular bathroom powering unit, the Style Drawer outlet. So if you have a narrow drawer, you'll do best with a Style Drawer Flush outlet.
Q: Are Blade series outlets able to be plugged in or do they need to be hardwired?
A: Both! Style Drawer Blade Powering outlets need to hardwired to the handy box that mounts to the back of your cabinet. A Docking Drawer Blade outlet has a cord that plugs into an outlet.
Q: Where do I put the outlet for my Docking Drawer Blade outlet?
A: It can be anywhere the 4 foot cord can reach. However, we recommend not putting it directly behind the unit and its arms. For additional details see the Docking Drawer Electrical Planning Guide.
Q: How long is the cord for Docking Drawer Blade outlets?
A: About 4 feet.
Q: How can I mount my Style Drawer Blade outlet?
A: There are three ways to mount your Docking Drawer Blade Powering outlet including above the glides, on the right side between the glides, or on the left side between the glides. You can also mount Style Drawer Blade outlets vertically to create a Styling Station.
Q: I am trying to rough in electrical for my Style Drawer Blade. Where should I leave the wire?
A: Because all cabinets are unique, this is a difficult question to answer. We recommend taking a look at our Docking Drawer Electrical Planning Guide in conjunction with the mounting diagrams to best place your wire.
Q: How do I remove the drawer box once the outlet is installed?
A: Simply remove cover plate and screws that hold in the receptacle box and slide back through the opening.
SAFETY
Q: How do you know Docking Drawer Outlets are safe?
A: All Docking Drawer outlets are tested by Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs) which are independent laboratories recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These labs test products to the specifications of product safety codes. Additionally, our Docking Drawer outlets are tested and certified by Intertek-ETL. Docking Drawer is in compliance 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: Can I wire my GFCI outlets in series with another GFCI?
A: Generally speaking the answer is yes. Check out the drawing below. In it, we can see how the outlets are to be wired. Let's call the first outlet the “Parent" and the second the “Child". If the Parent outlet GFCI trips, it will cut power to the Child. Therefore it's important to know where the Parent outlet is located so that it can be reset if needed.
Outside of this instance, connecting a Style Drawer to a GFCI outlet shouldn't be a problem.
Q: Can Style Drawer Blade outlets be plugged in if I attach a cord and plug?
A: We do not advise this installation method. We feel it's safer to have a hardwired connection, especially in bathrooms where water is present.
Q: What if my electrician already put an outlet behind the vanity drawer box?
A: Use Docking Drawer's Electrical Planning Guide to help resolve this issue.
Q: Can I shorten the cord of my Docking Drawer Blade outlet by having my electrician cut and splice it?
A: No. Making any modifications to our unit voids the warranty and the outlet will no longer be ETL-listed so it won't pass inspections.
Q: Can my electrician hardwire my Docking Drawer Blade outlet?
A: No. Making any modifications to our unit voids the warranty and the outlet will no longer be ETL-listed so it won't pass inspections.
Q: Do Blade outlets have a Warranty?
A: Absolutely. Blade outlets have a two year warranty. All other Docking Drawer outlets have a one year warranty.
Don't see your question on our list? Reach out to us and we'll be happy to get back to you with an answer quickly. And don't forget, Blade outlets come in many sizes based on cabinet depth.