A video conferencing room needs power in three places: behind the display (for the screen, video bar or room PC, and network gear), under or in the conference table (for laptops and table devices), and at the door (usually PoE from the network for a booking panel). Plan a dedicated 20-amp circuit for the AV wall in most rooms, recessed outlets behind wall-mounted displays, and a floor box or core-drilled table connection rather than cords across the floor. The electrical code sets the minimum; AV needs usually go beyond it.
Typical conference room electrical layout
| Location | What to install | Powers |
|---|---|---|
| Behind the display | Recessed duplex or quad receptacle, at display mount height | Display, video bar, room PC, small switch |
| AV credenza or rack (if used) | Dedicated circuit, quad receptacle or power conditioner | Codec, DSP, amplifiers |
| Under the table | Floor box with power and data | Table connectivity box, laptop chargers |
| Perimeter walls | Standard receptacles | Cleaning equipment, extra laptops, lamps |
| At the door | Cat6 to a PoE switch (no outlet needed) | Booking panel |
| Ceiling (if used) | Data drops; power only if the device can't use PoE | Ceiling mics, PTZ cameras, wireless access point |
Behind the display
- Use a recessed (in-wall) box so plugs don't push a flat-mounted display off the wall.
- Mount it within the display footprint, often around 48-60 in (1.2-1.5 m) from the floor depending on display height. See conference room TV height.
- Pair it with a low-voltage pass-through (a cable plate or conduit) for HDMI, USB and network cables. Don't run AV cables through the same box as power.
- One quad receptacle is usually enough for a single display and video bar. Dual-display rooms with a room PC may need two.
At the table
Everyone in a meeting wants to charge a laptop. Options:
- Floor box under the table, set where the table base will hide it, with power and data.
- Core-drilled table with a cable trough that feeds a table connectivity box (power, USB-C, HDMI).
- Wall-fed raceway for rooms where the floor can't be cut, with the cable hidden in a furniture leg.
Coordinate the floor box position with the furniture dealer before the floor is finished. See conference table power and connectivity.
What the electrical code says
In the US, the National Electrical Code (NEC), as adopted and amended by your state or city, governs receptacle spacing, circuits, GFCI and AFCI protection, and floor box listings. Commercial rooms aren't held to the same "every 12 feet" receptacle spacing rule that applies to dwellings, but local codes and your building's standards may set their own requirements. Floor boxes must be listed for floor use, and furniture power units need to be listed and installed per manufacturer instructions.
Work with a licensed electrician and check with your local authority having jurisdiction. This page covers planning, not code compliance.
Circuits and capacity
- A typical small or medium room's AV (display, video bar, controller, switch) draws well under the capacity of a single 20 A, 120 V circuit.
- Large rooms with multiple displays, amplifiers and a rack should have their own dedicated circuit(s), ideally on the same electrical ground as the network equipment to avoid hum on analog audio.
- Consider a small UPS for the network switch and room PC, so short power blips don't reboot the system mid-meeting.
PoE reduces outlets
Many room devices run on Power over Ethernet, so they need only a network cable:
- Touch controllers such as the Logitech Tap IP and booking panels.
- Ceiling mic arrays and many PTZ cameras.
Confirm your network switch has enough PoE budget for all devices. Check each device's PoE class (PoE, PoE+ or PoE++).
Single-cable laptop connection
Instead of separate power, USB and HDMI at the table, a system like Logitech Swytch gives users one cable to connect to the room's camera and display, while power for laptops comes from the table box.
For the full wiring plan, see conference room wiring and cabling and what it costs to build a conference room.
Planning a build-out? Send us the floor plan and we'll mark where power and data need to go.
Related guides
- Zoom Rooms requirements: PC specs, network and firewall
- Choosing a Conference Room PC for Video Meetings
- Classroom-Style Conference Room Setup: Layout and Spacing
- Conference Room Acoustic Requirements and Ratings
- Conference Room Furniture and Tables for Video Meetings
- Conference Room Layout Planner and Floor Plan Templates
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