1. Copy the actual nameplate
Record each item, quantity, whether its rating is in watts or amps, the rating and voltage. Avoid substituting a generic online value when the equipment label is available.
2. Confirm what the event is offering
Write down the voltage, usable amp limit, circuit or outlet identifier, fees, connector details and request deadline. Two visible receptacles can still share one circuit, so use only limits confirmed for your event.
3. Group equipment that will run at the same time
Assign every item to a proposed circuit. For this US single-phase planning check, the workbook uses amps = watts / volts and watts = volts × amps, then applies your clearly labeled planning buffer.
4. Read the flags before you send the request
- 01
Missing input: a required equipment field is blank.
- 02
Check voltage: the item voltage does not match the event voltage entered.
- 03
Low headroom: the buffered plan is at least 90% of the entered circuit limit.
- 04
OVER LIMIT: the buffered plan exceeds the entered circuit limit.
5. Use the result to ask a better question
In the fictional example, a card-reader charger, LED lights and a 5A refrigerator total 810W on Circuit 1. At 120V that is 6.75A, or 8.1A after a 20% planning buffer. Two 1,000W warmers reach 20.0 buffered amps on Circuit 2, so the sheet flags low headroom.
That result proves only the arithmetic from the fictional inputs. It is not an approval and does not prove code compliance, cord suitability or safe startup behavior.