# What is event power distribution?

> Event power distribution: starting from the venue's supplies to distribute electricity safely. And why taking power from the next stand is banned.

Source: https://www.darkside-energy.com/en/did-you-know/event-power-distribution/ · Dark Side Energy · Updated: 2026-10-06

8 May 2017 · 2 min read · Updated 6 October 2026

- Event power distribution starts from the venue's supplies and takes electricity wherever the organisers need it, in compliance with safety standards.
- For live shows, the distribution cabinets sit behind the stage, ideally with one source per department.
- At trade shows, every stand has its own distribution box with a 30 mA RCD: *ilotage* (sharing a supply between stands) is banned.

Dark Side Energy specialises in event power distribution. Fine, but what exactly does that mean?

Every event is unique, and so is its configuration. Halls and venues designed for events are equipped with one or more main power supplies.

Event power distribution therefore means starting from that supply, or those supplies, and distributing electricity to the places the organisers ask for, while complying with safety standards: the right [cable sizes](https://www.darkside-energy.com/en/did-you-know/cable-size/) for the voltage, current and length, the right protection for people, the right protection for power circuits, and so on.

To do this, we use distribution cabinets.

## In live entertainment

The distribution cabinets end up behind the stage and, ideally, each department has its own source, with its own cabinet or cabinets, to avoid “buzz” and other electrical interference caused by the electronics in some equipment.

## For trade shows, fairs and exhibitions

It is a completely different story. Every stand **must** have its own distribution box fitted with a 30 mA RCD (protection of people). If an exhibitor runs an extension lead from the neighbouring stand, this is called *ilotage*, and safety officers refuse it every time.

But why? For several reasons, but one is very simple to explain.

You have a faulty appliance with current leaking to its casing. You touch it and the current flows through your body: **the 30 mA RCD cuts the power instantly**.

If the box is not on your stand and also supplies the stand it sits on, it also cuts the power to that exhibitor, who, having seen no problem on their own stand, resets the RCD. If your hand is still on the appliance, you get a second jolt (at best…).

> So yes, when you visit a trade show with 300 stands, if those 300 exhibitors need electricity, there are 300 distribution boxes of every power rating at that show.

Need power distribution for your trade show or your stage?

[Our core business: power distribution](https://www.darkside-energy.com/en/power-distribution/)

[Single-phase or three-phase: why balance the phases?](https://www.darkside-energy.com/en/did-you-know/balancing-phases/)
[What is a Twin zero-interruption generator set?](https://www.darkside-energy.com/en/did-you-know/twin-generators/)

## A project? Let's talk power.

Venue, dates, known requirements: tell us about your event and we will get back to you quickly.

[Request a quote](https://www.darkside-energy.com/en/contact/)
[contact@darkside-energy.com](mailto:contact@darkside-energy.com)