Temporary Power Distribution: A Simple Guide for Event Planners
Power is one of the most essential and often misunderstood elements of outdoor events. While generators tend to grab the spotlight, it’s the temporary power distribution that ensures electricity reaches each part of your site safely and efficiently.
If you’re an event planner trying to wrap your head around how to plan and book temporary power for your site, this guide breaks it all down. No overcomplication, just clear, actionable insight
What is Temporary Power Distribution?
Temporary power distribution is the system that takes power from a generator and safely delivers it to multiple locations around your site, such as stages, bars, traders, toilets and lighting towers. Numerous items make up a power distribution system, such as:
- Distribution boards
- Cabling and extensions
- Sockets
- Cable ramps for public safety
- Splitters and adaptors
This network ensures that each area receives the correct amount of power, preventing overloading circuits and the risk of outages. Failing to set up a correct distribution can cause various problems. For example:
- You could face power outages during live moments
- Dangerous cabling or overloads failing safety inspections
- Inability to power specific areas due to layout or distance
- Increased costs from oversized or misused equipment
How Does Temporary Power Distribution Work?
At its core, temporary power distribution acts like a structured roadmap for your electricity. Instead of running a long cable directly from your generator to every tent, bar or stage, which would be unsafe and inefficient, distribution systems break that supply down into manageable, balanced circuits.
For example, a generator feeds into a main distribution board, which then connects to secondary boards closer to specific site areas. These boards then split off into safe, circuit-protected sockets that deliver exactly where they’re needed. Whether it’s a 16A socket for a food vendor or a 63A supply for your main stage AV rig.
Each circuit is carefully sized based on what equipment is drawing power from it. Too many high-draw items on a single line, and you’ll risk overloading, tripping or worse – overheating and fire. That’s why thoughtful planning and expert load balancing are critical.
Breaking Down the Key Components in a Temporary Distribution Setup
Here are some of the key elements you’ll come across:
- Distribution Boards (Distros): Metal or weatherproof units with built-in circuit protection. They’re available in various sizes depending on output requirements.
- Cabling: High-grade, armoured and insulated to prevent damage across fields and muddy grounds.
- Cable Ramps: Protect cables in high footfall or vehicle areas, keeping your event compliant and reducing trip hazards.
- Adaptors and Splitters: Adapt and connect your layout safely.
- Earth Rods & RCDs: Provide ground fault protection and meet health & safety standards.
Understanding these components and how they connect helps event planners to communicate better with suppliers and avoid being under or oversold on gear they didn’t need.
Wrapping Up: Making Power Distribution Simple
Temporary power distribution doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right planning, clear communication and a trusted supplier by your side, it becomes one of the smoothest parts of your setup! At Event Sparks, we specialise in helping event planners understand exactly what’s needed, through practical advice and dependable solutions.
So, planning an event and want support you can rely on? Our team is here to help.
