Temporary Event Power Distribution Calculator
Preliminary Load, Phase-Balance, Generator-kVA, Feeder-Label, and Disconnect Planning for Events
Free temporary event power planning calculator for event electricians, production managers, and technical directors who need a first-pass load schedule for concerts, festivals, corporate events, and theatrical productions. Enter running-watt loads by category, assign phases, select voltage and power factor, and the calculator returns local kW/kVA, phase loading, generator-kVA row, feeder label, and disconnect row for planning review.
Temporary event power can involve NEC Article 525, Article 590, OSHA rules, UL/listed portable distribution equipment, venue rules, utility requirements, fire-marshal review, and local AHJ decisions. This calculator does not perform a code design. It does not model inrush, harmonics, neutral current, grounding, GFCI, wet locations, cable protection, voltage drop, conductor ampacity, terminal ratings, cable listing, overcurrent protection, or manufacturer generator limits.
Use the result as a planning conversation starter only. Final generator selection, distro package, feeder schedule, grounding and bonding, GFCI protection, weather protection, permits, and energization must come from current source material, listed equipment instructions, venue requirements, and qualified electrical review.
Screen point-source SPL assumptions for the audio system
Inverse Square Law / SPL Calculator →Screen projection throw and brightness prompts for video
Projection Throw Ratio & Lens Calculator →Size the backup generator for the venue
Generator Sizing Calculator →Screen voltage drop on long cable runs from the generator
Long-Run Voltage Drop Calculator →How It Works
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Enter Load Inventory
List every load by department: sound system (amplifiers, consoles, processing), lighting (conventional and LED fixtures, dimmers, moving lights), video (projectors, LED walls, cameras, switchers), catering (ovens, warmers, refrigeration), HVAC (portable AC units, heaters), and backline (guitar amps, keyboards). Enter the nameplate wattage or amperage for each.
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Set Voltage and Power Factor
Choose the local voltage screen and enter the aggregate power factor you want to use for the planning calculation. Actual generator limits, load steps, motor starting, harmonics, and nonlinear loads still need vendor and qualified electrical review.
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Review Generator and Phase Loading
Use the total kW, total kVA, local 125 percent headroom row, and phase-balance screen to find obvious planning conflicts before equipment is ordered. The result is not final generator selection or a temporary-power design.
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Review Feeder and Disconnect Labels
Treat feeder and disconnect outputs as coarse planning labels based on maximum phase current only. Final feeder schedule, listed distro equipment, overcurrent protection, grounding, GFCI, voltage drop, cable protection, and AHJ requirements must be designed separately.
Built For
- Event electricians sizing generator rentals and distro packages for outdoor concerts and festivals
- Production managers preparing power plots and technical riders for touring shows and corporate events
- Technical directors planning the electrical infrastructure for multi-day festivals with multiple stages
- Venue managers verifying that house power capacity is sufficient for an incoming production's technical rider requirements
Features & Capabilities
Load Inventory by Department
Organizes running-watt loads by production department with typical preset rows for common equipment. Shows local subtotals by category without claiming demand-factor or diversity-factor approval.
Generator kVA Planning Screen
Shows real power, apparent power, and the next local generator-kVA row after a fixed 125 percent planning headroom factor. Final generator selection still depends on actual equipment, load steps, inrush, harmonics, environment, fuel, and vendor data.
Feeder and Disconnect Planning Labels
Displays coarse feeder and disconnect labels from maximum phase current. It does not calculate NEC ampacity, voltage drop, cable length, ambient correction, bundling correction, conductor listing, overcurrent protection, neutral sizing, or equipment grounding.
Three-Phase Balancing Screen
For three-phase screens, shows load on each phase and flags local imbalance bands above 10 percent and 20 percent. Neutral current, voltage unbalance, harmonics, and generator manufacturer limits need separate review.