Most of the electrical equipment at an office desk does not need to be plugged in and unplugged every day.
Monitors, docking stations, desktop computers and other permanent equipment can usually stay connected underneath the work surface. Keeping those connections below the desk leaves the desktop clearer and keeps accessible sockets available for the devices users actually need to reach.
That is where an under desk power unit comes in.
This guide explains what under desk power is used for, how it fits into a modern workstation and what to consider before installing it.
What is an under desk power unit?
An under desk power unit is a mains power module mounted beneath the work surface.
Rather than placing every electrical connection on top of the desk, it provides concealed sockets for equipment that normally remains connected.
At Desktop Power, our under desk power solution is the Malmo, a compact four socket unit designed for office desks and commercial workstations.
It can be used on its own where concealed power is all that is required, or alongside an on desk or in desk power unit where users also need easily accessible power and USB charging.
Why put power underneath the desk?
The main reason is simple: not every plug needs to be visible.
A typical workstation may have several pieces of equipment that stay connected almost permanently, including:
- One or two monitors
- A laptop docking station
- A desktop computer
- A small power supply
- Other fixed workstation equipment
Putting these connections underneath the work surface keeps them away from the area the user works in every day.
It can also make it easier to create a neat cable route instead of running multiple power leads across the desktop or down to separate wall sockets.
Under desk power and desktop power serve different purposes
A useful workstation often uses both.
Under desk power is well suited to equipment that remains connected.
Accessible desk power is better for laptops, chargers and temporary equipment that users regularly plug in and remove.
For example, a workstation might use four sockets underneath the desk for two monitors, a docking station and another permanent device, while the desktop provides two sockets and USB charging within easy reach.
This keeps permanent plugs out of sight without forcing employees to crawl underneath the desk every time they need to charge something.
How many under desk sockets are useful?
For many ordinary office workstations, four sockets provide a practical amount of capacity.
A dual monitor setup with a docking station already uses three connections. A fourth socket provides space for another fixed device without installing an unnecessarily large power module beneath the work surface.
This is one reason Malmo uses a four socket layout.
| Equipment | Typical connection |
|---|---|
| Monitor 1 | Under desk power |
| Monitor 2 | Under desk power |
| Docking station | Under desk power |
| Additional fixed equipment | Under desk power |
| Laptop or temporary charger | Accessible desk power |
The exact requirement will always depend on the workstation. The aim is not to fill every possible space with sockets, but to give permanent equipment somewhere sensible to connect.
Where should an under desk power unit be mounted?
The unit should be concealed but still reasonably easy to reach when equipment needs to be changed.
In many installations, positioning the power module towards the rear of the desk works well.
This keeps the unit away from the user's knees while allowing monitor and docking station cables to reach it without excessive cable length.
Before fixing the unit in place, check that it will not interfere with:
- Desk support rails
- Drawer units
- Monitor arm clamps
- Cable baskets
- Desk control boxes
- Moving parts on height adjustable furniture
Malmo is approximately 335.5mm long, 60mm wide and 33mm high, so the unit itself has a relatively slim profile.
Remember to allow additional space for the plugs and cables connected to it.
No desktop cut out is required
Unlike an in desk power unit, an under desk module does not require an opening to be cut into the work surface.
Malmo is surface mounted underneath the desk using the fixing points at each end of the unit.
This makes it straightforward to incorporate into both new furniture and existing desks, provided there is a suitable mounting position underneath.
Check the mains power lead before ordering
This is one of the easiest parts of a desk power installation to overlook.
Malmo does not have a fixed UK plug permanently attached to it.
A compatible GST18 mains power lead is required and is sold separately.
This allows the lead length to be selected according to the actual desk layout rather than supplying every unit with the same fixed cable.
Before ordering, check:
- Where the nearest mains socket is located
- The route the power lead will take
- The cable length required
- Whether the desk is fixed or height adjustable
- Whether any additional GST18 connections are required
You can view our power leads and connection products here.
Plan the cables at the same time as the power
An under desk power unit can keep plugs off the work surface, but it will not automatically make the cables disappear.
Without a planned cable route, monitor leads, mains cables and data connections can still hang underneath the desk.
A cable basket or tray can provide somewhere to support excess cable length and keep power and data leads organised.
Vertical cable management can then help guide the main cable route between the desk and the floor.
It is normally easier to plan the power module and cable management together rather than installing the power first and trying to hide the cables afterwards.
Height adjustable desks need a little more planning
Sit stand desks introduce movement into the installation.
The under desk power unit moves with the work surface, while the building power supply normally remains fixed.
The cable route therefore needs enough movement to accommodate the full height range of the desk without pulling on the connections.
Before installation, check:
- The desk at its lowest position
- The desk at its highest position
- The position of motors and control boxes
- The available fixing areas under the worktop
- The mains cable length throughout the full movement
- How the vertical cable route will be controlled
A suitable cable spine or other height adjustable cable management solution can help keep the moving section of the installation organised.
Four sockets do not mean four separate power supplies
Socket count and available electrical power are not the same thing.
All of the equipment connected to an under desk unit contributes to the load on the electrical system.
Malmo has a maximum rated load of 3000W and is designed for normal office equipment such as monitors, computers, docking stations and peripherals.
A spare socket should not automatically be treated as suitable for any appliance simply because the plug fits.
The equipment being connected and the overall furniture power system should always be appropriate for the intended use.
What about BS 6396?
When electrical power is incorporated into office furniture, the individual under desk module is only one part of the installation.
BS 6396:2022 covers electrical power, data and telecommunications distribution systems incorporated into furniture.
Malmo is independently tested to BS 5733 and is designed to support compliance with BS 6396 when correctly incorporated into a suitable furniture power system.
The complete installation still matters, including the supply, protection, connections, cable routing and testing.
For more information, see our BS 6396:2022 guide.
Why use GST18 connections for office furniture?
Modular GST18 connections are widely used in commercial furniture power systems because they allow different parts of the installation to be connected without every desk power product having its own permanently attached mains plug and fixed cable length.
For a workstation, this means the under desk unit can be combined with a mains lead selected to suit the position of the desk.
It also makes the furniture power system easier to plan around different desk layouts.
We will cover GST18 and Wieland style connections in more detail in a separate guide.
Can Malmo be used with desktop USB-C charging?
Yes.
In fact, this is one of the most practical ways to organise a modern workstation.
Malmo can supply the permanent equipment underneath the desk, while a desktop unit provides the connections employees need to reach.
For example, a Protea can provide accessible mains power and USB charging above the work surface, while Malmo supplies monitors and docking equipment underneath.
For an integrated installation, an in desk product such as Punto can perform the same accessible role while sitting within the work surface.
A practical workstation layout
For many ordinary office desks, a straightforward arrangement might look like this:
- Under the desk: Malmo powering monitors, docking equipment and other permanent devices
- At desk level: accessible mains sockets for temporary equipment
- At desk level: USB-C charging for phones, tablets or compatible laptops
- Below the work surface: a cable basket or tray supporting excess cable length
- Between desk and floor: controlled vertical cable management where required
This approach separates the equipment that stays connected from the connections the user needs every day.
What should you check before ordering?
For a standard Malmo installation, confirm:
- How many permanent devices need power
- That four sockets are appropriate for the workstation
- There is enough mounting space beneath the desk
- There is sufficient clearance for plugs and cables
- The required GST18 mains lead length
- The route between the desk and building power supply
- How excess cable will be managed
- Whether the furniture is height adjustable
- Whether accessible power or USB-C is also required at desk level
- Any BS 6396 requirements for the complete furniture installation
Under desk power should be simple
For most office workstations, the purpose of under desk power is not complicated.
It provides a neat place to connect the equipment that stays with the desk, keeping permanent plugs away from the work surface and making the wider cable installation easier to organise.
Malmo provides four UK mains sockets in a compact module designed specifically for this role.
Combined with the correct GST18 mains lead, sensible cable management and accessible desktop charging where required, it can form the concealed power element of a clean and practical office workstation.
Important: This article provides general guidance for office workstation planning. Electrical furniture systems should be specified and installed appropriately for the intended equipment and applicable standards. Always check current product specifications and seek suitable professional advice where required.