The moment desks move away from walls, an office design runs into a cabling problem — extension cords across walkways, or cable trays that never quite reach the centre of the floor plate. A power column solves this by bringing power and data straight up through the floor to desk height, wherever the layout needs it.
When is a power column the right choice over a floor box?
Power columns work better than floor boxes when desk layouts are likely to change, because a column can be relocated without cutting into the slab, while a floor box is fixed once the floor is finished.
Floor boxes remain the better choice for fixed furniture like boardroom tables, where the power point location is genuinely permanent — the two are complementary rather than competing options on most office fit-outs.
What does a power column typically include?
- Power sockets for desk equipment, monitors, and chargers
- Data/network ports (RJ45) kept in a segregated compartment from power cabling
- Sometimes integrated USB charging outlets
- A finish matched to the office interior — white, aluminium, or custom
How is a power column sized for a specific office?
Power columns are ordered to a fixed length matched to the building’s slab-to-slab or false-ceiling height, so the height needs to be confirmed before ordering — not adjusted on site afterward.
Fembosco’s technical team confirms ceiling height against the actual site measurement before quoting, since a column ordered to the wrong length can’t simply be extended later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many power columns does a typical open-plan floor need?
This depends on desk density and layout — Fembosco reviews the floor plan and recommends column placement so no desk cluster is left relying on extension cords.
Can a power column be moved after installation?
Yes, this is one of its main advantages over a floor box — a column can be relocated to follow a layout change without any floor cutting or slab work.
Conclusion
Use power columns for flexible, centre-of-floor power and data in open-plan layouts, and reserve floor boxes for genuinely fixed furniture positions like boardroom tables — most modern office fit-outs in Lagos and Abuja use a mix of both.