It is surprising the things you need to think of when planning an event. From guests to gifts, from flowers to food, but we all know the list is endless. One thing that is often overlooked is your electrical requirements.

While it seems that electricity is endless, in fact, it is a limited resource. There is only so much power coming into your electrical panel.   It is essential to be aware of what you need, where you need it and when you need it. Here are five steps everyone could do to ensure a smooth event:</p>

  1. Know your site. Do a site inspection, even if it is your own home.  This should be the first on every event planning how-to list. For electrical, make sure you check for the locations of the plugs. Check to see how many circuits there are. Remember, a plug isn’t a circuit. You can have many plugs on one circuit. Check that they actually work.
  2. Know what you need. How much power does each of your appliances require? Check the requirements of each piece of equipment.  Add up the total watts + the volts to get the amps. If you’re not sure ask us.
  3. Know the distance from the plug to the location of the piece of equipment. If you are using extension cords, make sure you use a heavy-duty extension cord. Electricity encounters resistance when passing through copper.  Over a short distance, this doesn’t cause a problem but the longer the length of the cord the more resistance.  This means that there is a drop in voltage on long cords. Ensure you have the correct gauge extension cord heavy-gauge cords lower the resistance. Our green extension cords are heavy gauges.
  4. Know who else needs power at your event? You may know how much your equipment will draw but it is important to check with other suppliers – washrooms, AV companies and Lighting Companies.
  5. Know that Higgins Event Rentals is here to make your event planning easier. If you need more power we can bring in extra power. So, if your power requirements outstrip your resources in your venue, let us know we will arrange a generator. High-quality generators last a long time and are quiet.