Festival Power Distribution
How power systems keep multi-stage festivals running — from generator selection to distro panels on every stage. Temporary power is the invisible infrastructure behind every outdoor festival. When it works, nobody notices. When it fails, the show stops.
Generator Selection & Sizing
Festivals run on temporary power. Generator sizing is based on total connected load across all stages, vendor villages, and production infrastructure. Undersizing causes voltage sag that damages equipment and degrades audio quality. Oversizing wastes fuel and budget. Proper sizing requires a detailed load survey — every amplifier rack, lighting dimmer, LED processor, and catering trailer contributes to the total demand. Load diversity factors account for the fact that not every circuit draws maximum power simultaneously, but critical systems must be sized without diversity assumptions.
Power Distribution Architecture
Power flows from generators through cam-lock feeder cable to distribution panels at each stage and production area. Three-phase power is standard for concert production — audio, lighting, and video systems require balanced three-phase feeds for optimal performance. Distribution panels break generator output into individual circuits with appropriate breaker protection. Panel configurations are designed for the specific load profile of each zone: main stage draws differently than a vendor village or a production office compound.
Multi-Stage Power Planning
Each stage at a festival has different power requirements. The main stage with full line arrays, intelligent lighting, and LED video walls draws significantly more than a DJ tent with a compact PA. Power planning maps every stage, vendor area, production compound, and support infrastructure to ensure adequate capacity without running excessive cable distances that increase voltage drop. A power plot documents generator placement, feeder runs, panel locations, and circuit assignments for the entire site.
Backup Power & Redundancy
Shows don’t stop for power failures. Critical systems — audio consoles, video switchers, lighting control desks, and communication systems — run on uninterruptible power supply (UPS) protection that bridges short outages. For multi-day festivals, generator redundancy planning ensures a single generator failure doesn’t take down the entire production. Redundancy strategies range from N+1 generator configurations to automatic transfer switches that shift critical loads to backup power within seconds.
Safety & Grounding for Outdoor Events
Outdoor power systems face hazards that permanent installations don’t. Ground moisture affects grounding electrode resistance. Cable crossings in public areas create trip and contact hazards. Rain exposes connections and panels to water intrusion. Proper grounding establishes a safe fault path and equalizes potential between all metallic structures on site. GFCI protection on circuits accessible to the public prevents shock hazards. Cable management — ramps, matting, and aerial crossings — protects both cables and pedestrians.
Fuel Management & Generator Monitoring
Generators consume fuel at rates determined by load and efficiency. A festival running multiple generators over a multi-day event requires a fuel management plan that schedules refueling, monitors consumption rates, and maintains adequate reserve. Fuel storage on site must comply with fire code requirements for quantity limits, containment, and distance from occupied areas. Generator monitoring systems track fuel levels, output voltage, frequency, and load percentage in real time. Monitoring allows operators to identify problems — overloaded phases, frequency drift, low fuel — before they cause equipment failures or power interruptions. On large festival sites, monitoring data is centralized so a single operator can oversee all generators from one location.
Planning Festival Power?
From load surveys through show day monitoring — power infrastructure engineered for your festival.
Discuss Your ProductionPower Distribution FAQ
Common questions about festival power systems and temporary electrical infrastructure.
Generator sizing starts with a detailed load survey of every connected device across all stages, vendor areas, and production infrastructure. We calculate total connected load, apply appropriate diversity factors, and add margin for startup surges and future expansion. The result determines generator capacity in kilowatts or kilovolt-amperes. Multi-stage festivals typically require multiple generators rather than a single large unit.
