The SC-What We Use for Portable Power Distribution

You have a very well thought out power distribution solution. Obviously a lot of past experience went into the design of it. Thank you for sharing!

Glad that you upgraded to the new bistro - great peace of mind, and if there's ever an inspection you're set. the GFCI also great.

In Europe the most common connector for events requiring more amperage than a normal Schuko socket provides is called a CEE connector. We use the red ones for 3 phase + neutral + ground. Across the phases you have 415V and phase to neutral gives you 230V. We start with a 3 phase 16 amp connectors which can be distributed straight into 16A Schuko's without the need for further use of breakers etcetera. After that you get the most common one which is 32A and after that 63A and 125A. After that we get into twist locks which go up to 400A. And yes, they do get used a lot! The event industry favors rubber and metal distributors, depending on need and location. It's a bit different than you guys but a lot easier because we do not have the ridiculous amount of different connectors that you guys use.

Thanks for all this, fascinating stuff! In the UK we're used to 240V 13A power sockets (so a little over 3kW) and for a lot of the shows and bands I work with, that's enough. Particularly if you can get two 13A feeds from a circuit rated at 30A. Putting up, say, a 1-2kW of PA, powering some LED lighting, and supplying power to monitors and the various instruments (effects boards, keyboards etc.) can usually fit easily within the 6kW power budget. And using RCDs/ELCBs on the feed from the wall to handle any problems with wet sockets, pinched cables etc. And in the UK each extension lead or power cable is individually fused at the plug to cut out everything downstream of it if the power drain goes over the 1A/3A/5A/10A/13A level of the individual fuse. I tend to use surge protected extension/distribution leads for most things as nearly everythinig has electronics in it nowadays (I haven't bought myself a Furman yet, but that's coming soon!) And if we're doing a bigger show, we'll hire in someone like you to provide the front of house and any larger lighting requirements and just handle our own mixing, monitors and stage electrics. (unless the venue is providing that sort of thing, then we leave it to them)

“It’s power, man! Ya cain’t do nothin’ without power!” So said the hillbilly, when the county sheriff caught him climbing a utility pole in order to make an illegal power tap. Bart shows us his very-well-thought-through gig power distro and shares tips he’s learned on how to provide reliable a.c. power at various gigs. The stability and safety of The Sound Couple’s power distro outweighs the cost. That it all fits into two compact lugable cases is a real plus. Thanks, Bart, for sharing this insight into yet another piece of equipment that supports your quest for “professionalism with excellence.”

Hi Bart and Stacy, Like the video’s to me it is recognizable the video’s that you make. So I can’t stop watching. keep making them. In Europe there is the C norm it is a big red round connector. If I remember correct it starts at 3x16 amp and the largest I have use was 3x 64 amp. which I always do, I include in the contract that the connection may never be further away than 5 meters. if it is further then the choice is whether the organization arranges the power distribution or I will take it with me but charge extra costs. Those cables are heavy and expensive. I therefore prefer not to carry these cables with me. Greetings Patrick, From the Netherlands

Thanks for the video on your power system the guy from New Brunswick Canada 🇨🇦

Thanks for sharing this info it was very helpful

Thanks this was really helpful.

thank you! such an informative video

This was helpful, thank you.

Excellent video & power distribution solution! Do you do any metering to balance circuits?

Love this video

Hi Bart, I enjoy watching your videos. I learn a lot. One question that you probably answered already, but which ipad model do you use? And what memory do think is a good choice for it? Is the model you use sufficient for what you do? Do you think that the brightest new ipad pro 12.9 would be a good choice for pa work, or is an older one just as good in your opinion? Thanks for the info.

Very useful video. 👍👍👍Thx

I still need to build one of these racks. But so far, my system can run from a 20 amp circuit! But, I am adding stage lighting and more speakers, so I know this won't last!

I almost watch all of your videos and thanks for sharing your experience and hard work. Btw I do have a question for you, if I’m in the USA and want to do a small business like you do, Do I need a license or permit?

Great channel - thanks. I would really appreciate some behind the scenes knowledge on how you structure pricing and contracting. Respect that you may not want to share actual prices but your approach would be helpful to me - i.e. your time, gear packages, mileage, wedding vs corporate stuff like that. Do you carry insurance?

Thank you

Thanks for the video! Where can I buy a power distribution box like this?