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With our free event power consumption calculator, you can find out in just a few clicks how many watts your equipment needs—and whether a standard outlet is enough or if you need a power station. Simply select your devices (speakers, lights, fog machine, projector, etc.), and the calculator will show you the total consumption, the required circuit protection, and a clear recommendation for your power supply. This way, you can avoid the most common event problem: the fuse blowing in the middle of the party.
↑ Go directly to the calculator here
Two speakers, a few LED spotlights, a fog machine, and a projector—it sounds harmless, but it can quickly overload a standard household outlet. A standard wall outlet provides a maximum of 3,680 watts (16 amps at 230 volts). As soon as your equipment exceeds this value, the fuse will blow—usually right when everyone is on the dance floor.
The problem: Most event organizers don't add up the power consumption of their equipment beforehand. It’s only when the power goes out that they realize there isn't enough capacity. With our calculator, you can identify this risk in 30 seconds—before it becomes a problem.
Especially for outdoor events without a fixed power connection, proactive planning of your power supply is essential. You will need either generators, portable power stations, or a combination of both.
Select all the devices you plan to use at your event from the list. The calculator is pre-programmed with typical power consumption values for event equipment:
Specify the quantity for each device and add your own devices with custom wattage if needed.
Enter the duration of your event in hours. The calculator will use this to determine the total energy requirement in kilowatt-hours (kWh) – which you need to find the right power station capacity.
The calculator shows you:
The formula: Power (watts) × operating hours = energy requirement in watt-hours (Wh). Divide by 1,000 for kilowatt-hours (kWh).
A standard household outlet provides a maximum of 3,680 watts (16 amps × 230 volts). This is sufficient for a modest setup: two active speakers, a few LED lights, and a laptop—totaling about 1,000–1,500 watts. As soon as you add a fog machine or a subwoofer, things get tight.
Important: Inrush current—the initial load when turning on a device—is often significantly higher than the running power consumption. Fog machines, for example, briefly draw 800 watts while heating up, even though they only need 200 watts during operation. This can trip the breaker, even if the continuous consumption is below the limit.
If your setup requires between 3,000 and 6,000 watts, distribute the devices across two different outlets on separate circuits. Never connect lighting and sound to the same circuit – otherwise, you risk audio hum or tripped breakers.
For outdoor events without a power connection, a mobile power station is the cleanest solution – quiet, emission-free, and ready for immediate use. You can calculate the required capacity as follows: total consumption in watts × hours = required watt-hours. For a 6-hour outdoor event with an average consumption of 800 watts, you therefore need at least 4,800 Wh of capacity.
For events with a total output of over 5,000 watts – e.g., small festivals or events with multiple stages – generators are used. Ensure sufficient power reserve (at least a 20% buffer) and plan for fuel requirements for the entire duration of the event.
Result: The total consumption is 1,810 watts – this fits on a single household outlet (max. 3,680 W). But be careful: when switching on the fog machine, consumption briefly rises to approx. 2,400 watts. Still well within the safe range.
For 6 hours outdoors without mains power: 1,810 W × 6 h = 10,860 Wh → You will need a power station with a capacity of at least 11,000 Wh or a combination of several units.
A standard Schuko power outlet provides a maximum of 3,680 watts (16 amperes × 230 volts). This is the upper limit—the actual load capacity also depends on the circuit protection and cable cross-sections. In the calculator, you can see immediately whether your setup stays below this limit.
Usually because too many devices are connected to one circuit and the total consumption exceeds 3,680 watts. The most common triggers: fog machines, patio heaters, or electric kettles running at the same time as the sound system. The solution: distribute the devices across multiple power outlets on different circuits.
A typical fog machine has an average consumption of approx. 200 watts, but briefly draws up to 800 watts when heating up (inrush current). This peak value must be taken into account in your calculations.
A power station is always worth it when you have no fixed power connection on-site: a garden without an outdoor outlet, a meadow, forest, beach, or locations far from the nearest power source. It is quieter than a generator, emission-free, and ready to use immediately. For setups with a continuous load of up to approx. 2,000 watts, power stations are perfectly sufficient. For higher requirements, combine multiple devices or switch to a generator.
The formula is simple: watts × hours = watt-hours (Wh). For a 6-hour event with an average consumption of 800 watts, you need 4,800 Wh or 4.8 kWh of capacity. Always plan for a 20% reserve. For longer events, it is worth combining several small power stations instead of one large one, as the devices then provide redundancy and a backup in an emergency.
As soon as your setup requires a continuous load of over 7,360 watts, you will run short with standard power outlets. From this point on, a CEE connection (three-phase power) is recommended: 16A provides approx. 11,000 watts, and 32A provides up to 22,000 watts. You can find such connections in event halls, commercial buildings, and at many festival sites. Ask your venue specifically if a CEE connection is available and what its amperage is.
For most private and medium-sized events, a power station is the better choice: quiet, emission-free, no need for a gas station, and ready to use immediately. Generators are only worth it for large events with a continuous load of 5,000 watts or more, or for multi-day festivals. When using generators, keep in mind: noise levels (often 60–75 dB), fuel logistics, permits for outdoor operation, and minimum safety distances from people.
For a typical garden party with 2 speakers, 1 subwoofer, a few LED spotlights, string lights, and a fog machine, you will reach around 1,500 to 2,000 watts. That fits easily into one power outlet. However, as soon as you add a draft beer system, patio heater, or projector, things get tight. Calculate your requirements beforehand with our calculator; it takes 30 seconds and saves you from a blown fuse in the middle of the dance floor.
Watt (W) is the power—the amount of electricity a device needs at any given moment. Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the energy consumption over time: 1,000 watts × 1 hour = 1 kWh. You need the kWh value for planning your power station and the watt value for checking your power outlets.
Plan every detail of your event with our free calculators and configurators. All tools can be used without registration.
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