Event power: 110V, 230V or 415V? Connectors, colours and BS 7909
The short answer
Events and festivals run on 230V single-phase and 415V three-phase, not 110V. Power is distributed with BS EN 60309 industrial connectors, blue for 230V and red for 415V, in 16A, 32A, 63A and 125A. Yellow connectors are 110V: common on construction sites, but not usually seen at events. The system design follows BS 7909, the code of practice for temporary electrical systems for entertainment.
Yellow 110V: for construction sites, not usually events
Yellow BS EN 60309 connectors are 110V. They're the standard on UK construction sites, where 110V centre-tapped to earth powers tools and site lighting, but you won't usually see them at events, which run on blue 230V and red 415V. See why building sites use 110V.
What we supply for events
LED floodlights for events, 50W to 400W, running on 230V.
Red 415V 3-phase plugs, sockets, couplers and inlets, 4-pin and 5-pin, and blue 230V versions.
Panel and angled sockets for building event power distribution boxes.
Cable ties for staging, including releasable and fluorescent ties that are easy to spot in the dark.
Who designs the system
Your event power provider or electrician designs and certifies the system; we supply the kit, next day.
What lighting do events and festivals use: 110V or 230V?
Events and festivals run on 230V or 415V, not 110V. 110V is a construction-site safety system; event power is distributed at 230V single-phase and 415V three-phase. Our LED floodlights run on 230V, so they suit events as they are.
Where can I buy 415V 3-phase plugs and sockets for an event?
EW Group stocks red 415V 3-phase plugs, sockets, couplers and appliance inlets in 16A, 32A, 63A and 125A, 4-pin and 5-pin, plus blue 230V versions, in stock in Bristol and London with next-day UK delivery if you order by 1pm.
What is BS 7909?
BS 7909 is the British Standard code of practice for temporary electrical systems for entertainment and related purposes: events, festivals, film and TV. It's the events counterpart to BS 7375 for construction sites. Your event electrician or power provider designs to it; we supply the components.
What colour are 110V, 230V and 415V industrial connectors?
Under BS EN 60309 the colour shows the voltage: yellow is 110V, blue is 230V and red is 400/415V three-phase. The pin positions differ too, so a plug can't go into a socket of the wrong voltage.
Need it tomorrow? Order by 1pm.
Send us your list, a drawing or just a description of the job. We'll come back with a quote within an hour and have it on its way next day, or ready to collect from Bristol or London.
