Power Planning for AV: Generators, UPS and Why the Show Stops
Load calculations, phase balancing, generator sizing and UPS protection for events in Kenya where grid power cannot be assumed.
The most visible AV failure in Kenya is not a blown speaker, it is a black screen when power dips. Venues advertise a generator; few can tell you its transfer time.
Power is designed before the kit list is finalised on every event we produce.
Calculate the real load
Add the draw of screens, amplifiers, lighting fixtures, vision equipment, catering and air conditioning, then apply headroom of at least 25 percent. Lighting and LED walls dominate the total.
Never size a generator from the venue's guess. Measure or specify from equipment ratings.
Transfer time is the killer
An auto-start generator still takes seconds to pick up load. Consoles, media servers and streaming encoders reboot in that gap and the programme stops.
A UPS on the technical rack bridges the transfer and protects the show. It is a small line item that prevents the failure everyone remembers.
Phase balancing and clean earth
Split loads sensibly across phases so lighting dimmers do not sit on the same leg as audio. Poor earthing produces the hum that no amount of mixing removes.
Our crews carry distribution, RCD protection and voltage regulation as standard kit rather than as an upsell.
Cabling and safety on the floor
Cable ramps and matting across guest routes, taped runs backstage, and no daisy-chained domestic extension boards. County inspections and venue safety officers do check.
To have your venue's power assessed before you commit, contact info@cara.co.ke.
Plan power with us
Power design is part of every production we run. See our event management services.
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