Why planners will ask for your power draw
When corporates book through HowzitLive from January 2027, the planner has to add up everyone's kit: the DJ, the food trucks, the mobile bar, the photo booth. If your number is missing, they guess, and guesses trip breakers. Put a proper figure on your profile and you're the easy booking.
Use the vendor presets as a start, then type in the watts from the label or plate on your own gear. The tool gives you running kW, amps at 230 V, surge, and whether you'll need a 16 A plug, a 32 A blue Commando or a three-phase red one.
| Outlet | Max at 80% | What it feeds |
|---|---|---|
| 16 A single-phase (3-pin / blue) | 2.9 kW | One speaker stack, ~10 LED pars, or one urn |
| 32 A single-phase (blue Commando) | 5.9 kW | A small PA with subs, or a catering line |
| 32 A three-phase (red 5-pin) | 17.7 kW | A whole small event |
Figures from B&W's Event Power training module. Food trucks are the big one: a truck with fryers, fridges and lights can need its own 32 A feed, so check your plate and say so up front.
Turn it into a power rider
Download the PDF and you've got a one-page power rider: every item, its watts, total kW, amps, and the outlet you need. Send it with your quote. If the venue only has a 16 A wall socket and your rig needs a 32 A three-phase feed, the planner finds out a week before, not at load-in. Bringing a fridge, slush machine or ice maker? Those motors surge when they start, so the tool shows a separate peak figure. Power up in groups and the breaker stays happy.
Lekker power habits
Power up in groups (amps and subs first), never daisy-chain multiplugs, keep joints off wet grass, and put your laptop and decks on a small UPS so a switchover doesn't end your set. Our free crew training covers sound, lighting and power. For outdoor gigs, read the outdoor health and safety guide and, for trucks and bars, the food truck vs mobile bar breakdown. Want to show a client what your fee costs per guest? Try the event ROI calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I put my power draw on my HowzitLive profile?
So the planner can size the generator and distribution before the event, not on the day. Vendors with a clear power figure are easier to book and less likely to arrive to a 16 A wall socket.
When do I need three-phase power?
When the total load is over about 25.6 A at 230 V (a 32 A single-phase outlet at 80%), roughly 5.9 kW. Above that, use a three-phase supply and spread the load: sound on L1, lighting and video on L2, catering and heaters on L3.
How much diesel will the generator use?
It depends on the set's size and how hard it's working. The calculator uses the litres-per-hour curve from a Cummins 33 kVA data sheet, scaled per kVA, and cross-checks it against the 0.3 litres per kWh rule of thumb. It adds a 25% reserve. Check the plate on the actual set.
Should I bring my own generator?
Only if the brief asks for it. Most corporate events run one site supply. If you do bring one, size it for your own load, keep it away from guests with the exhaust downwind, and follow venue and municipal requirements.
Does a DJ need a UPS?
It's cheap insurance. A small UPS on the decks and laptop keeps the music going through a mains-to-generator switchover, which typically takes 5–30 seconds.
Is it free to list on HowzitLive?
Yes. Free to list, no lead fees, you set your rates. The marketplace opens to corporate clients in January 2027.
Got the goods? Get the briefs.
Free to list. No lead fees. You set your prices, and payouts land the Friday after each event. Marketplace opens to corporate clients in January 2027.
List free on HowzitLive →Related guides
Sources
- B&W Productions crew training, Module 5: Event Power
- B&W Productions crew training, Module 8: Event Power in Depth
- Corporate Event Planning: Load-shedding event planning contingency guide
- Cummins C33 D5 generator set data sheet (fuel consumption, ISO 8528 ratings)
- Generator Source: diesel fuel consumption chart by kW and load (cross-check)
- ROE Visual Black Pearl BP2 V2 brochure (160 W max / 80 W avg per 0.25 m² panel)
- Epson EB-L1070U datasheet (416 W)
- APC Smart-UPS runtime chart, 3 kVA models
- APC Smart-UPS SRT 3000VA datasheet (2,700 W / 3,000 VA)
- Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009: explanatory notes (gov.za)
Planning estimate only. This calculator does not replace an electrical design. A registered electrician must design and sign off distribution, earthing and protection, and issue the certificate of compliance (the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009 require a valid certificate of compliance for an electrical installation, issued only by a registered person). Generators must stand away from guests, tents and air intakes, with the exhaust downwind, never in an enclosed space. Follow venue and municipal requirements. Wattages marked "planning assumption" are typical figures, not specifications: use the label or plate on your own equipment.