LED Screen Power Requirements Guide
Power is one of those things people assume will just work out on the day, and it usually does — but not always, especially outdoors or in older venues. Here's what's worth checking in advance.
How much power does an LED screen actually use?
It depends heavily on the screen's size and brightness — a large outdoor screen at full brightness draws considerably more than a small indoor panel. We calculate the exact power draw for your specific screen when we quote, since it varies too much between products to give a single figure that's genuinely useful.
Will a standard venue power socket be enough?
Often, for a smaller indoor screen — but not always, particularly in older buildings where the electrical supply wasn't designed with event AV in mind. We check this with your venue as part of planning, since discovering a shortfall on the day isn't something you want to be solving under time pressure.
Does a bigger screen always need proportionally more power?
Roughly, yes — more LEDs generally means more total power draw, though the relationship isn't perfectly linear since brightness, pixel pitch and panel efficiency all play a part too. This is exactly why we calculate power for your specific configuration rather than scaling a single number up or down by size alone.
Can multiple screens share the same power supply?
Sometimes, if the supply has enough spare capacity, but it's not something to assume without checking. Multiple screens sharing an undersized supply risks tripping the circuit for all of them at once, so we calculate combined load across every screen at your event, not each one in isolation.
Do I need a generator for an outdoor event?
If your outdoor site doesn't have a mains power connection nearby — a park, field or public square, for instance — yes, generator power is usually the only option. We calculate your screen's power load and coordinate with a generator supplier to make sure capacity is confirmed well before the event.
Who's responsible for arranging power — me or the supplier?
This is worth clarifying explicitly with whoever you're hiring from, since it varies by supplier and venue. We calculate what your screen needs and confirm with your venue or generator supplier directly, so it's worth asking any supplier you're considering exactly what they handle versus what's left to you.
What safety checks happen with the power before the event starts?
Cabling and connections are checked and tested as part of setup, and power is run through the full screen before doors open to confirm everything is stable under real load, not just switched on briefly. This is standard practice regardless of whether the source is mains or generator power.
What happens if the power isn't enough on the day?
In the worst case, the screen can't run at all or trips the circuit, which is exactly why power is calculated and confirmed in advance rather than assumed. It's one of the quieter but more important parts of planning an LED screen for an event, particularly anywhere outside a modern, purpose-built venue.