Managing Power for Festivals
Common festival power problems and how to prevent them — from generator sizing to ground fault protection. Power failures at festivals are almost always preventable. They result from planning errors, not equipment failures.
Generator Sizing Errors
The most common power problem at festivals is undersized generators. This happens when load surveys undercount connected equipment, ignore startup surge currents (motors draw 3–6x their running current at startup), or apply overly aggressive diversity factors. The result: voltage sag under load, equipment shutdowns, and cascading failures as protection circuits trip. The fix is conservative sizing during planning — generators should run at 70–80% of rated capacity under normal operations, leaving headroom for surges and unexpected loads.
Voltage Drop Over Distance
Temporary power runs cable across festival sites — sometimes hundreds of feet from generator to stage. Long cable runs cause voltage drop, which reduces the voltage available at the load end. Equipment designed for 120V or 208V doesn’t perform correctly at 110V or 195V. Voltage drop is managed by using larger gauge cable for longer runs, positioning generators closer to major loads, and calculating acceptable drop during the planning phase. If the drop exceeds 3–5%, the cable size must increase or the generator must move closer.
Ground Fault Issues
Outdoor environments introduce ground moisture, damaged cable from vehicle crossings, and connections exposed to weather — all of which can create ground faults. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) protect against shock hazards but will trip and disconnect power when faults occur. Nuisance trips on critical circuits (like stage power) are operationally disruptive. The solution: ensure clean, dry connections, use weatherproof enclosures, protect cables from vehicle damage, and establish proper grounding at every distribution point.
Redundancy & Backup Planning
A single generator failure shouldn’t kill the show. For critical systems (main stage audio, lighting control, video processing), backup power strategies include: UPS units that bridge short outages, N+1 generator configurations where a spare can be brought online, and automatic transfer switches for critical loads. The level of redundancy depends on the event’s risk tolerance and budget. At minimum, production-critical consoles and processors should be on UPS protection.
Fuel Management
Multi-day festivals consume significant fuel. Generators running at moderate load may consume 15–30+ gallons per hour depending on size. Running dry during a performance is preventable with fuel monitoring and scheduled refills. Fuel logistics include: calculating consumption rates, scheduling delivery trucks, establishing refueling procedures that don’t interrupt power (generators with dual fuel tanks or hot-swap capability), and maintaining fuel reserves for unexpected extended operations.
Electrical Safety in Wet Conditions
Rain at an outdoor festival creates electrical hazards that don’t exist in dry conditions. Water intrusion into connections, panels, and junction boxes can cause shorts, ground faults, and shock hazards. Prevention includes: using weatherproof equipment rated for outdoor use, elevating connections off the ground, covering panels and distribution points, and having qualified electricians available to respond to wet-weather electrical issues. After a significant rain event, connections should be inspected before power is restored to affected circuits.
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Discuss Your ProductionFestival Power FAQ
Common questions about festival power management and troubleshooting.
Generators should run at 70–80% of rated capacity under normal operations. This leaves headroom for startup surges, unexpected loads, and load diversity variations. Running a generator at 100% capacity provides no margin for transient loads and reduces generator life.
