Before ordering booth lighting and power, work out what needs lighting, where each fixture will mount, which devices will run together, and where they will plug in. Then confirm the venue’s voltage, circuit capacity, power hours, installation rules, and charges. Booth area alone cannot tell you how many lights or how much power to order.
For example, six 25W spotlights use 150W. Add a lightbox, screen, laptops, and small devices, and the sample load below reaches 780W. A 1,500W coffee machine raises that total to 2,280W if everything runs together.
The figures below are planning examples, not standard booth specifications. Use your equipment’s input ratings and have the venue-approved electrical contractor confirm the supply and circuit arrangement.
Check What the Booth Package Includes
Read the current exhibitor manual and order form before buying fixtures. A package listing “two lights and one outlet” still needs a stated power allowance and service schedule.
- Confirm whether the price includes fixtures, electricity, booth wiring, installation, and removal.
- Check who may install lights, connect equipment, and run cables.
- Record the discount-order, drawing-submission, and change deadlines separately.
- Confirm when power will be available for setup testing and whether it stays on overnight.
Choose Lighting Around the Display
On backwall displays, mark the logo, product shelves, and graphic areas that need light. Include their dimensions and heights. A logo near the top of a 2.5m wall needs a different aiming position from a shelf at waist height.
| Specification | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Fixture position | Mounting height, distance from the display, aiming direction, and approved fixing method |
| Light output | Lumens and illuminance or light distribution data at the planned distance—not wattage alone |
| Color temperature | Compare 2700–3000K for warmer white, 3500–4000K for a more neutral appearance, or 5000–6500K for cooler white |
| Color rendering | For color-sensitive products, consider CRI/Ra 90 or higher, then test actual products and brand colors |
| Dimming | Confirm compatibility between the fixture, driver, and controller |
| Hardware | Fixture weight, clamp model, support capacity, and included cables and drivers |
Two 25W fixtures may have different light outputs and beam patterns. The U.S. Department of Energy advises comparing lumens separately from power input and checking dimmer compatibility.[1]
Beam Coverage
For a circular, symmetrical beam aimed straight at a surface 2m away, the stated beam angle gives these approximate geometric diameters:
| Beam Angle | Calculated Diameter |
|---|---|
| 15° | 0.53m |
| 30° | 1.07m |
| 60° | 2.31m |
A 0.8m-wide display extends beyond the calculated 15° beam diameter. A 30° beam covers more width, but you still need to check edge brightness. These figures do not describe an evenly lit area and do not apply directly to angled or asymmetrical beams.
Product and Camera Tests
Test with the actual products, packaging, and backdrop. When comparing color temperatures, keep the aiming direction and light level on the product similar. Check white packaging, brand colors, and any important reds or skin tones; CRI alone does not describe every color accurately.
View glass, metal, and screens from standing and seated positions. Adjust fixtures if reflections hide labels or screen content. For filming, test the intended camera settings—for example, 25fps at a 1/50-second shutter—at full output, 50%, and the lowest planned brightness. Check the footage for flicker and bands.
Calculate the Equipment Load
| Equipment | Quantity | Example Input per Unit | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED spotlights | 6 | 25W | 150W |
| Backlit display | 1 | 180W | 180W |
| Display screen | 1 | 200W | 200W |
| Laptops | 2 | 100W | 200W |
| Router and other small devices | 1 group | 50W | 50W |
| Combined load | — | — | 780W |
Replace these figures with manufacturer input ratings for the intended configuration. For LED lightbox displays, include the complete lighting and power-supply system. The 180W entry above is an example, not a Milin product rating.
Do not substitute standby consumption or an adapter’s DC output rating for AC input data. If the label lists only volts and amps, submit those values or a clear photo rather than converting them directly to watts.
- Heaters and coffee machines: Record maximum input during heating and whether they will run alongside other equipment.
- Refrigerators, motors, and compressors: Supply rated input current and available starting-current data.
- Large screens: Include power supplies and control equipment, not just the display panels.
- Industrial demonstrations: Provide voltage, frequency, phase, and the manufacturer’s connection requirements.
Have the contractor assess continuous operation and starting loads before selecting a service tier. A blanket “add 20%” rule does not settle circuit sizing, and a 1,000W package should only be used for a 1,000W equipment list if the provider confirms that arrangement.
Outlets and Circuits
Show which device connects to each outlet and ask which outlets share a circuit. A six-outlet strip powering six 100W devices carries 600W; extra sockets do not increase the supply capacity.
Do not connect power strips in series or assume a general-purpose strip can supply a heater or refrigerator. OSHA’s U.S. guidance addresses these uses and requires listed equipment to follow its installation and use instructions.[2]
Check Voltage and Connections
Before shipping, check each device’s voltage, frequency, plug, and grounding requirements. Equipment labeled “100–240V, 50/60Hz” has a different input range from equipment labeled only “220–240V.” A standard travel plug adapter does not change voltage or frequency.
For transformers, three-phase equipment, or special connectors, send the contractor the model, input ratings, and connection details. Get written confirmation that the required service is available before dispatch.
Draw the Power Locations
Mark the booth number, aisle orientation, main feed, numbered outlets, connected devices, and mounting heights. Give measurements from fixed boundaries.
Example: Facing into the booth from the main aisle, place the outlet 0.5m from the right-hand boundary and 1m from the back wall.
For a modular SEG lightbox display, show the module arrangement and power-entry point. Keep the specified access to drivers and connections, along with the ventilation clearance required by the manufacturer.
Measure the planned cable route. A 3m floor run plus a 2m rise needs 5m before connection allowances. The installer should confirm the final cable length, rating, and protection. Arrange concealed wiring before carpet or raised flooring closes off access.
For illuminated hanging signs, include the overhead power route and confirm responsibility for electrical connections and rigging.
Set the Power Schedule
| Requirement | Details to Put on the Order |
|---|---|
| Setup and show hours | Testing access, daily switch-on time, and daily switch-off time |
| Overnight operation | Equipment that must stay on and its assigned power connections |
| Backup power | Required load and runtime, such as 200W for 10 minutes |
| Overnight charging | Battery type, capacity in Wh, charger input, location, and staffing arrangements for venue approval |
Twenty-four-hour service does not guarantee an outage-free supply. If equipment needs a UPS, request runtime data at its actual load; the VA rating alone does not show battery runtime.
Check the Full Quote
Send every supplier the same equipment list and drawing revision. Ask for separate prices for fixtures, electricity, booth distribution, labor, and removal.
- Fixtures: Confirm clamps, brackets, drivers, and connecting cables.
- Electrical service: Confirm voltage, capacity, hours, outlet quantities, and internal wiring.
- Labor: Check minimum hours, overtime, relocation, and dismantling charges.
- Special work: Identify lift access, rigging, transformers, and three-phase service.
- Order changes: Check taxes, rush charges, capacity upgrades, and cancellation terms.
Before payment, match the quote to the drawing. If the plan shows four outlets, the price should identify wiring and installation at all four locations.
Inspect and Test Before Opening
For equipment you bring, submit fixture and driver specifications, weights, clamp details, mounting drawings, and the venue’s requested compliance documents. Mount fixtures only as the manufacturer permits.
Inspect cords and plugs for crushed insulation, loose parts, and damaged pins. Do not remove grounding connections or repeatedly reset a tripped breaker. OSHA’s U.S. rules require unsafe damaged equipment to be removed from service and prohibit repetitive manual reclosing of circuit breakers.[3]
Once the contractor has completed the electrical work, run the devices in their planned combinations. Check lighting coverage, screen reflections, protected cable routes, and overnight connections. Stop using equipment that smells burnt or becomes unusually hot and contact the on-site electrical team.
