Power tracks & columns

Increasing the number of sockets without increasing the number of extension cords or floor blocks: that is exactly the promise of the power track. But between a recessed track, a surface-mounted track, and a power pole, the choice is far from obvious. Everything depends on your configuration, your furniture, and how you use them on a daily basis.

If you are here, it is likely that you have already identified the need. You know that standard power strips are no longer enough. The real question now is: which format should you choose? We’ll help you see things clearly with an objective comparison of EUBIQ solutions adapted to professional environments - offices, meeting rooms, and coworking spaces.

Why standard power distribution solutions are problematic

Let's be honest: in most offices, managing sockets is a permanent DIY job. Power strips piled under desks, cables snaking across the floor, extension cords running under carpets... The result? Tripping hazards, a poor visual appearance, and an unprofessional image, especially in an open-plan office or a meeting room that receives clients.

And then there are fixed wall sockets. They might have been well-placed on the day of installation, but as soon as workstations are rearranged - which happens often - they end up behind a cabinet or three meters away from the desk that needs them.

Cable ducts with integrated sockets? That is better in terms of functionality. But an electrical socket duct remains rigid in its configuration: the sockets are fixed in defined locations, and the aesthetic result often leaves something to be desired in a well-maintained space.

The real need, at its core, is simple: to be able to add or move a socket without heavy electrical work, without visible cables, while maintaining a clean and professional space. That is precisely where the power track changes the game.

Power track, power pole: what exactly are we talking about?

Before comparing, let’s lay the foundations. Because "power track" and "power pole" can remain vague if you have never handled these products.

The power track: an integrated conductor, not just a cable duct

An electrical power track is an aluminum profile powered continuously along its entire length. You clip on mobile sockets that connect via sliding contact - this is the technology developed by EUBIQ. Concretely, two conductors run inside the track, protected by the profile. When you insert a socket, its contacts touch these conductors and power is immediate.

And this is where the distinction from an electrical socket duct is fundamental: in a duct, there are wires inside and sockets fixed at specific points. The track, however, IS the conductor. No wires inside. And the sockets slide freely along the entire length. The flexibility is incomparable.

Recessed track vs. surface-mounted track

Two main families exist at EUBIQ:

• The RH2 recessed power track: it integrates into a groove milled into the furniture or wall. Once installed, only the front face is flush. The result is very clean, almost invisible. It requires only 34 mm of installation depth, making it compatible with most desk surfaces.
• The SH1 surface-mounted power track: this one attaches directly to the surface, on a wall, under a workspace, or on a panel. No installation constraints. It is the fastest solution to install, ideal when you cannot (or do not want to) mill the support.

The E-Genesis track: the new generation

The E-Genesis power track represents the latest evolution of the range. A more compact format, cleaner lines, and a design intended for contemporary spaces. If you are setting up a business corner or a coworking space with high aesthetic standards, this is the model to look at first.

The power pole: when walls and furniture aren't enough

The power pole is a vertical self-supporting structure that brings power up from the floor. It is typically used to power a central island - a large meeting table in the middle of a room, for example - when there is no nearby wall or the possibility of recessing a track into the surface. The VSF MC is a specific variant designed for certain cases of vertical or modular integration.

An ecosystem, not isolated products

Good to know: all these solutions share the same EUBIQ ecosystem. The sockets are interchangeable from one track to another. You can start with a surface-mounted track in your office, then move to a recessed one during a rearrangement, without buying new adapters. That is a real long-term advantage.

How to choose between a recessed track, a surface-mounted track, and a power pole

This is the heart of the matter. Here are the criteria that really count, one by one.

The type of available support

Start by looking at what you have on hand. A desk surface thick enough to mill a groove into? A solid wall that can accept a channel? Or an open space without a nearby vertical support? The answer already strongly guides the choice:

• Desk surface or meeting table → recessed track
• Wall, partition, panel → surface-mounted track (or recessed if a channel is possible)
• Central island without a wall → power pole

Installation depth

If you opt for a recessed track, check the thickness of your support. The RH2 only requires 34 mm of depth, making it compatible with many configurations. But be careful: a standard desk surface is often 25 to 30 mm thick. You will then need a reinforcement or a casing under the surface to accommodate the track. Some furniture manufacturers offer pre-milled surfaces for EUBIQ tracks - it simplifies everything.

The SH1 surface-mounted? Zero installation constraints. It screws onto the surface, period. That is its strength.

Required length

Tracks are available in several lengths: 60, 80, 100, and 120 cm depending on the model. The right approach is to count the number of stations to be powered. A 100 cm track comfortably accommodates 4 to 5 standard sockets. For an individual desk, 60 cm is often sufficient. For a 6-person meeting table, aim for 100 or 120 cm - or even two tracks placed end-to-end.

Aesthetics and finish

It may seem secondary, but in a well-maintained professional space, it counts. EUBIQ tracks are available in brushed black and brushed aluminum depending on the model. Black fits perfectly into dark or contemporary furniture. Aluminum remains an all-purpose classic. The E-Genesis, with its compact format, is frankly the most discreet in the range - it's our favorite for designer spaces.

The flexibility sought

Do you rearrange your offices every six months? The SH1 surface-mounted track can be easily removed and repositioned. Is the installation permanent and you won't touch the furniture for five years? The RH2 recessed track offers a much cleaner, integrated, almost invisible look.

Between us, most companies underestimate the frequency of their rearrangements. If you have any doubt, the surface-mounted track is often the most pragmatic choice.

The concrete context of use

To summarize with typical cases:

• Meeting table → power track recessed into the surface, power cable hidden in the table leg
• Individual desk against a wall → surface-mounted track fixed to the wall or under the work surface
• Open space with central island → power pole connected to the floor
• Coworking space, business corner → E-Genesis track for a contemporary look
• Modular training room → surface-mounted track for easy reconfiguration

Comparison table: which track for which use

The logic is simple: look at your support, evaluate your need for flexibility, and the right format almost suggests itself.

In summary: the right track is the one that adapts to your space

There is no "best" power track in absolute terms. There is the one that corresponds to your context: the type of furniture, the configuration of the room, the frequency at which you rearrange your stations. The strength of the EUBIQ system is precisely this ecosystem consistency: a single system of interchangeable sockets, several track formats, and real scalability.

To go further, browse the product sheets for each model - you will find the exact dimensions, available finishes, and compatible accessories. And if you want to get started quickly, the black E-Genesis pack with 2 FR4 sockets is an excellent entry point for testing the system on your first station.