⚡ How Much Power Do You Really Need for DJ Gear, Lights, and LED Walls?
If you’re planning an event at a house, backyard, or even a venue with limited outlets, one of the most overlooked (but critical) details is power.
Speakers, lighting, LED screens, and even DJ controllers all pull electricity. Too many things on one circuit can cause tripped breakers, damaged gear, or awkward mid-party blackouts.
Don’t worry—you don’t need to be an electrician to get this right. Here’s a simple breakdown of how much power common DJ and rental equipment needs, how many outlets to plan for, and how to keep things running smoothly.
🔌 The Basics: Understanding Amps, Watts & Volts
Before we get into the gear, here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- Voltage (V) is the pressure of electricity. Standard in the U.S. is 120 volts per outlet.
- Wattage (W) is how much power something uses.
- Amperage (A) is the amount of current pulled from the outlet.
Use this rule of thumb:
Watts ÷ Volts = Amps
Example: 1200W ÷ 120V = 10 Amps
💡 Most household and venue outlets are on 15-amp circuits. That means you should stay under 1,500 watts per circuit to be safe.
🔊 Power Needs: Sound Equipment
🎚️ Powered Speakers (QSC K12 or similar):
~500W each = ~4.2A
(2 speakers = 8–9A total)
🔊 Subwoofers (KW181 or similar):
~1,000W each = ~8.3A
(2 subs = 16–17A total)
→ Best run on their own outlet or circuit
🎛️ DJ Controller / Laptop / Mixer:
Very low power draw — under 2A total
→ Can share an outlet with one speaker or lighting
✅ Safe Setup Example:
- 1 outlet for 2 tops
- 1 outlet for 2 subs
- 1 shared outlet for DJ booth + controller
💡 Power Needs: Lighting Equipment
🕹️ Moving Head Lights (Chauvet Spot/Beam):
~150W–200W each
4–6 fixtures = ~600–800W total = 5–7A
→ Can share a circuit with uplighting
🌈 LED Uplights (battery or wired):
Wired = 20–40W each
8 uplights = ~300W = ~2.5A
→ Low draw — easy to add to a lighting circuit
🌫️ Hazer or Fog Machine:
~500–1,000W depending on model
→ Should get its own circuit if over 800W
✅ Safe Setup Example:
- 1 outlet for moving heads
- 1 outlet for uplights + hazer
- Optional 3rd outlet for additional effects
🖥️ Power Needs: LED Walls & TVs
📺 TVs (55”)
~120–180W per unit
2 TVs = ~2.5A total
💡 LED Video Walls (14 Panels, ~6.5x11ft)
~2,000–2,500W total = ~17–21A
→ Requires dedicated 20A circuit or distro
→ Not ideal for backyard or garage events unless power is upgraded
✅ Important: LED walls are serious power users and should never be run off the same circuit as audio or lighting.
🏡 Example: Backyard Setup Power Plan
Gear:
- 2 speakers
- 2 subs
- 4 moving lights
- 8 uplights
- 1 hazer
- DJ booth
- No LED screen
You’ll Need:
- ✅ 1 outlet for speakers
- ✅ 1 outlet for subs
- ✅ 1 outlet for lights + hazer
- ✅ 1 outlet for DJ booth (can share)
→ That’s 4 separate outlets — ideally on separate circuits
If using an LED wall?
Add 1 more dedicated 20A outlet or generator
🧰 What If the Venue Doesn’t Have Enough Power?
If you’re worried about tripping breakers or running long extension cords, you have two main options:
- Ask your venue manager:
- How many separate circuits are available?
- Where are the outlets located?
- Rent a power distro or small generator
Especially for LED walls, outdoor gigs, or older buildings, a generator is a game-saver. We can provide a properly rated one or recommend exactly what you’ll need.
Final Thoughts: Plan Ahead and Party Smart
Power might not be the flashiest part of your event, but it’s one of the most important. A little planning goes a long way toward keeping your sound, lights, and screens running smoothly all night.
💡 Need help figuring it out? Just tell us what gear you need and where your event is—we’ll calculate the power and help you build a safe, professional setup.
📩 Contact us anytime for help with power planning, rental gear, or full-service production.