Commercial Soft Wiring in Melbourne

Modular, plug-and-play power and data distribution for commercial workstations. Flexible, compliant, and designed for offices that evolve — without needing an electrician every time you move a desk.

What is Soft Wiring?

Soft wiring is a modular, plug-and-play power and data distribution system for commercial workstations. Unlike traditional hard-wiring — where every power point is permanently wired into the wall or floor — soft wiring uses pre-terminated connectors that can be plugged and unplugged.

The system runs from a fixed connection point (usually a floor box) through flexible umbilical cables to the workstation, where power rails, in-desk modules and cable management deliver exactly what each desk needs: power, USB charging and data.

The result is a clean, compliant install that can be reconfigured when your office layout changes — no electrician required for the everyday tweaks.

The System Components

A complete soft wiring system has five components:

Floor box — the hard-wired connection point installed in the floor slab. Provides a single entry for power, data and AV, distributed to individual workstations. Available in 1 to 4 compartment configurations.
Umbilical — the cable that runs from the floor box up to the workstation. Pre-terminated with a plug that connects to the floor box. Available in single and dual compartment configurations, with floor-mounted and ceiling-fed options.
Power rail — the primary power distribution unit at the workstation. Mounts under the desk surface and provides multiple power outlets, USB-A and USB-C charging ports.
In-desk modules — installed flush into the desk surface for direct access to power, USB charging and data. Ideal for hot-desk environments or executive furniture where a visible power rail isn't desired. Outputs from 30W to 140W.
Cable management — wire baskets, cable clips, tails and shuttles that keep the installation clean, compliant and safe between connection points.

CMS Electracom & ECD Products

We work with the two leading Australian soft wiring manufacturers:

CMS Electracom — Australian manufacturer of modular wiring systems. Their ranges include the Cirqlate and Trax umbilicals for standard and height-adjustable desk applications, Echo and LUX in-desk modules, and a comprehensive range of power rails with USB-A and USB-C PD charging. All CMS products are certified to AS/NZS 61535.1.

ECD (Electric Cable Duct Systems) — specialist floor boxes, data kits and the UMF range of umbilicals. Their drop-in data kits and starter sockets provide a clean, professional finish for slab and suspended floor installations.

We specify the right product for your fit-out based on your workstation layout, desk configuration and power requirements.

Why Soft Wiring Over Hard Wiring?

Traditional hard-wiring fixes power points in place. If you move desks, add workstations or change the layout — you need an electrician to break walls or drill new floor boxes. Soft wiring eliminates that friction:

Reconfiguration without an electrician — desk pods, power rails and in-desk modules plug and unplug. Only the floor box is hard-wired. Move the umbilical to a new workstation and you're done.
Cleaner installs — no exposed cables, no surface-mounted power boards. Everything routes neatly through umbilicals and cable management.
Scalable — add or remove workstations by adding or removing umbilicals. No rewiring, no switches turned off.
Future-proof — as USB standards and power demands evolve, you swap the power rail or in-desk module. The floor box and umbilical stay in place.

Of course, we can handle reconfiguration for you too — minimising downtime so your team can focus on what they do best.

Compliance — AS/NZS 61535.1

AS/NZS 61535.1 is the Australian standard for modular wiring connectors. Products certified to this standard have been tested for safety, durability and compatibility in Australian commercial installations.

Using non-certified components in a soft wiring system can void insurance and create safety risks. Both CMS Electracom and ECD products carry full AS/NZS 61535.1 certification — ask your electrician to verify certification if you're comparing suppliers.

What to Expect

Workstation Survey & Specification

We survey the space, count workstations and agree on power, USB and data requirements per desk. We specify the right floor boxes, umbilicals and modules for your layout.

Floor Box Installation

We core-drill the floor slab, install the floor boxes and hard-wire them to the building's electrical infrastructure. Floor boxes are the only permanently fixed component.

Umbilical & Power Rail Fit-Out

We run the umbilicals from floor box to workstation, install power rails or in-desk modules and route cable management. Everything plugs in — no soldering or termination at the desk.

Testing, Documentation & Handover

We test every connection, verify compliance with AS/NZS 61535.1, and hand over with full documentation. We show your team how to plug, unplug and reconfigure workstations safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we reconfigure workstations without calling an electrician?

Yes — soft wiring is designed for DIY reconfiguration. Desk pods, power rails and in-desk modules plug and unplug. Only the floor box is hard-wired, so moving umbilicals between workstations is straightforward. Of course, we can handle it for you too — minimising downtime so you can focus on running your business.

What standard does soft wiring comply with?

AS/NZS 61535.1 — the Australian standard for modular wiring connectors. Products certified to this standard have been tested for safety and durability. Using non-certified components can void insurance and create safety risks. Both CMS Electracom and ECD products carry full certification.

Floor-fed or ceiling-fed?

Both work. Floor boxes with umbilicals are the most common in slab offices — the floor box is core-drilled into the concrete and the umbilical runs up to the desk. Ceiling-fed kits (like CMS Cirqlate) suit suspended ceilings or where floor boxes aren't practical. We'll recommend the best approach based on your building and desk configuration.

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