From under carpet wiring to overhead lighting, PACK EXPO Services (PES) has the power to simplify your electrical needs and installation. We’ve answered your most common questions below to help you place your order or prepare for a detailed discussion.
For lighting, loads are dictated by the wattage of the bulbs. Arm lights included with exhibit packages use 200 watt bulbs. Keep in mind that you need to order power for any lighting within your booth
unless the lights are ordered directly from the Electrical Department (those listed on the electrical order form).
Finally, total the wattage for the 120 volt devices in each area and select an outlet that meets or exceeds that total. Separate outlets should be ordered for each piece of equipment and/or each power location to help minimize tripping/power outages.
It is always safer to slightly overestimate your power requirements. Wattage or amperages cannot be combined for 208 or 480 volt apparatus.
Please order separate outlets for each.
2. Do I need to order labor?
As the official service contractor, electrical installations must be performed by PACK EXPO Services union labor. Labor is required for any electrical work over and above the delivery of outlets to the back wall of inline booths.
Labor orders will automatically be input upon receipt of an electrical layout for under carpet installation (floor work) or to connect any 208 volt or higher services (hook up).
Dismantle labor for electrical services is calculated at 50% of the installation time since much of the work is performed on a mass basis after booths are removed from the exhibit hall.
Please see the electrical labor order form for further details, rules and regulations.
3. What is an electrical layout and why do I need one?
Like your own home, electrical boxes and wiring should not be visible once the exhibit is completed. At show site, they are the first things to be installed so that they can be hidden by drape, walls or counters and under flooring or carpet. Electricians, therefore, work on a blank slate. A good electrical layout or floor plan provides them with a simple overhead view of your booth indicating the locations and load of each electrical outlet and the orientation of your booth within the show itself. The layout should be to scale and provide specific measurements to each outlet along with surrounding aisle or booth numbers to ensure accuracy. For island booths, a main power location must also be indicated as it is the location from which other outlets are fed. Please see the sample layouts and electrical grid for further information.
When a layout and credit card are provided in advance, PES makes every effort to ensure that the floor work is completed before you arrive so that there is no delay in assembling your booth. Once carpet is laid, installing or changing electrical services becomes much more difficult and potentially costly.
Please note that layouts, complete with mandatory information, are required prior to the deadline date for electrical orders to be eligible for advance rates. Layouts are not required if all outlets are located at the back wall in inline booths.
4. Is the price for power per day?
Outlet or connection prices are typically for an entire show.
5. What is 24-hour power?
Many facilities these days are energy conscious and therefore turn off
power overnight. Power is turned off one (1) hour after the show closes at the earliest and
restored no later than one (1) hour before the show opens the following day. 24-hour power is, as it sounds, power that is continuously on 24-hours per day, starting the night the show opens. EXTENDED POWER IS AVAILBLE FOR BOTH SET UP AND DISMANTLE DAYS. INQUIRE AT SERVICE DESK FOR RATES.
If your booth includes, for example, refrigeration equipment, an aquarium or programmable apparatus that depends on uninterrupted power, you should consider ordering 24-hour service.
6. Where does the power come from?
Depending on the facility, the power can come from overhead catwalks, floor ports, columns, wall outlets or a combination of these sources. Check with your PES Customer Service Manager
for more information.
7. What if I need power at another location besides the rear of my booth? What if I have multiple power locations?
Exhibitors requiring power at any location other than a back wall must submit an
electrical layout. Please see the sample layouts and electrical grid for further information.
8. How many places will I have to plug in? How many things can I plug in?
For planning purposes, you should always assume that there is only one connection point per outlet ordered. Power strips can provide additional sockets but do not confuse having more places to plug in with additional power.
For example, an order is placed for a 500 watt outlet. A track light with 4–100 watt bulbs is plugged in to a power strip connected to the outlet, using 400 of the 500 watts. Any lighting or equipment now plugged in to a second socket may not exceed 100 watts.
Also keep in mind that power strips are designed, for safety purposes, to trip at 1500 watts or 15 amps. Using a power strip with a 2000 watt (20 amp) outlet will reduce it to a 1500 watt outlet.
All orders exceeding 120 volt/20 amps provide one connection point only, cannot accommodate power strips and require labor for installation.
9. Can I bring my own extension cords and power strips? (Also known as plug strips, multi strips, etc.)
Exhibitors may use their own extension cords and power strips under the following conditions:
• The equipment must be 3 wire, 14 gauge minimum with a ground.
• The extension cords must be flat if they are to be laid under carpet. (Labor is required to lay the cords.)
• All power strips must have circuit protection.
• Extension cords must be rated for ‘extra hard usage’ per Las Vegas code.
10. Can I run my extension cords under the carpet myself?
For safety reasons, exhibitors are not allowed to run any electrical wiring under any type of floor covering or where they may be concealed in the booth structure. The show’s electrical contractor is liable for electrical installations and therefore must perform all floor or booth work.
11. Can I bring over carpet wire cover(s) and run my own cords over carpet?
Running any electrical cords over carpet is prohibited. This includes with the use of over carpet Wire Covers like the example linked here.
Floor work must be done by PES Electricians.
12. Will my floor work be completed before I arrive?
Every attempt is made to have floor work completed prior to carpet installation if you have submitted the following:
• A completed electrical order form.
• A valid and authorized credit card to be kept on file for the company.
• An electrical layout indicating the main power location, dimensions to each power location, the power required at each location, and surrounding aisle or booth numbers to determine orientation of the booth.
13. Do I need to order electrical labor for a monitor(s) installation?
If an exhibitor owns the monitor(s), they are allowed to install it themselves. No other trades can assist (such as carpenters installing the brackets). All rentals must be installed by electricians. Order electrical labor for monitor wall-mounts. Complete the Electrical Labor forms in on this platform, and select AV Installation.
14. When will my power be turned on?
Power is only guaranteed to be installed before the show opens. Any special requests such as temporary chain motor power, programming machinery or testing equipment should be noted on your order.
15. Do I need lighting?
Lighting can dramatically change the impact of an exhibit, no matter the size. Used effectively, lighting can emphasize specific areas of a booth or highlight products. Also, an exhibit will appear dark and uninviting if the surrounding booths are lit and yours is
not.
16. Can I hang my own lights?
Yes, an exhibitor can hang their own lights and plug them in without
ordering labor. Typically exhibitors themselves can hang up to four (4) lights as long as they
require no more than 20 amps in total. If a decorating company has been contracted to install a
display, electrical labor is required to install the lights. No other trades can assist.
17. Do I need to order power for my lighting?
Exhibitors ordering Electrical Services lighting (those listed on the electrical order form) do not need to order power. It is included in the rental. Exhibitors supplying their own lighting need to order power.
18. Do I need to order labor to plug in my lights or equipment?
Most 120 volt connections do not require labor. Exhibitors are welcome to plug in their own standard office devices. Labor is required for all 208 or 480 volt connections and if lights or equipment need wiring or if electrical cords are to be run under the carpet or in concealed areas to ensure that all electrical codes and building rules are met.
19. How can I save money and frustration when ordering electrical services?
Most importantly, be sure to submit your order before the discount price deadline date. If an electrical layout is needed, it also must be received, complete with mandatory information, before the deadline date to be eligible for discount pricing. Late orders can be subject up to a 50% increase in cost because of the behind-the-scenes planning required to distribute power.
Don’t underestimate your power requirements and work within the local rules, regulations and union jurisdictions. They have been implemented to avoid problems. While it may seem simple to plug in lights and equipment, it is not uncommon for exhibit or non electrical staff to overload circuits.
Trouble calls can become expensive when it takes time to find the source of a problem.
If you require carryover electrical labor, you must confirm at the electrical desk that you wish to use labor again the following day. Carryover requests should be confirmed by 1:30 pm each day. If unsure about labor, call us for direction and if necessary, place a “will call” order before the discount price deadline date. You will only incur a charge if labor is dispatched to your booth but you’ll have secured the advance pricing. And, check in with the electrical or service desk as soon as you know you need labor, not at the time you want the electricians in your booth. It will help to avoid delays as we can schedule accordingly.
Try to resolve any disputes at show site. If is much easier to discuss electrical issues when both parties can physically review the installation.
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