Resources
Power Guide
A simple power guide for South African activations, written for teams planning displays, screens, and on-site equipment.
How Power Guide helps on activation week
Power Guide helps teams plan electricity for displays, screens and small event equipment. Use it to list what needs power, where it will sit and what should be checked before branded stock is unpacked.
Map the equipment list before anyone books extension leads or screens. A South African activation can mix TVs, charging points, speakers, card machines and branded lightboxes, each with a different draw. Power Guide is for noting the plug type, wattage and exact position so setup crews are not guessing at the venue.
Site photos matter because plug points are often hidden behind draping, counters or temporary walls. Add one image of the distribution board, one of the display area and one of the nearest sockets. That gives the team a better read on cable runs, trip risks and whether adapters need to travel with the stock.
Power details to capture
The guide gives you a simple list of what needs electricity, where it will stand and what must be tested first. Include start-up order for screens or demo units if the sequence matters. On event morning, that record helps the team plug in branded equipment before unpacking giveaways and table items.
Use Power Guide alongside your setup notes when displays, tablets and lighting are all sharing one supply. Mark anything that must stay on during trading hours and anything that can be switched off between sessions.
- Socket count matched to equipment list
- Cable route checked before stock lands
- Notes field for venue power restrictions
Venue power risks in SA
Ask whether the site supply is standard wall power, generator-backed or controlled by the centre's technical desk. Conference venues in Sandton, campus lawns in Pretoria and mall courts in Durban often work very differently. Put access times on the guide as well, because some teams can only test equipment during a narrow installation window.
Load-shedding planning still matters even when the venue says backup is available. Some backup circuits exclude decorative lighting, kettles, charging lockers or non-essential plugs. Coastal events can also need extra attention for outdoor connectors, while dusty inland builds may need covers for power strips near displays.
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What to send with the guide
Brief the power guide with site photos, setup timing, and the power issues already picked up on earlier events. Keep the subject line clear.
Include the event date, setup slot, venue contact and a list of all powered items in one place. It also helps to note any previous tripping, dead sockets or extension lead shortages from earlier activations. That record makes handover easier when stock, branding and equipment are moving between teams.