breakout wiring
The electrical switchboard of a municipal hall, a chateau or an exhibition hall rarely offers a ready-to-use P17 socket: more often it provides a terminal block or a protected outgoing circuit to which an electrician connects. Breakout cabling rental serves precisely this junction. On one side, five stripped and colour-coded conductors (three phases, neutral, earth) to be connected inside the switchboard; on the other, a three-phase P17 socket into which your extension leads and distribution board plug. It is the first link in any event electrical installation connected to the venue's mains.
Three breakout cables for two ratings
Our offer covers the two most requested current ratings, each available from €25 excl. VAT:
- 63A three-phase breakout cable - 2 m: for high-power installations (concert control position, LED wall, full catering set-up) connected to a 63A outgoing circuit.
- 32A three-phase breakout cable - 3 m: the comfortable length when the switchboard is mounted high up or in a plant room slightly away from the outlet point.
- 32A three-phase breakout cable - 70 cm: the short version, ideal when the distribution board sits at the foot of the switchboard or directly at the output of a generator with a terminal block.
The conductors are sized for the stated current and the ends are prepared with ferrules, for a clean, quick connection by a qualified professional.
Typical layout of an event power distribution
Picture a gala for 300 people in an orangery. The venue provides a 63A three-phase outgoing circuit in its plant room. The 63A breakout cable links this circuit to a P17 socket; a 63A three-phase extension lead then reaches the main board at the control position; from there, 32A three-phase lines run to the caterer and the sound system, and 16A single-phase powers the ambient lighting and the bars. The same principle applies to a trade show (connection to the hall's switchboard), to a seminar in an unusual venue or to a wedding in a country house whose switchboard meets current standards.
Rental, connection and safety
Connecting a breakout cable inside a switchboard must be carried out by a qualified person: our technicians take care of this during delivery and installation, in coordination with the venue's technical manager, then disconnect and collect the equipment at dismantling. If your electrical contractor prefers to do the work themselves, pick-up through our Drive service at our warehouse remains possible. Prices apply to a 1 to 3-day rental period, with a decreasing rate for longer periods, and include inspection and cleaning of the equipment. A quote is sent to you quickly based on the power available on site.
Discover also
All our power supply solutions are grouped in the Cabling and power distribution family. Boards and distribution boxes are the logical next step after the breakout cable, and the Generator section takes over when the venue offers no connection at all.
Who can connect the breakout cable to the switchboard?
Only a qualified electrician. Our teams are qualified; if you use your own contractor, make sure they have the venue's authorisation to work on the switchboard.
How do I find out the power available at the venue?
Ask the venue manager for the site's technical sheet: it specifies the rating of the outgoing circuit or circuits (32A, 63A, sometimes more) and their location. This information determines which breakout cable to rent and how to size the board.
32A or 63A: which should I choose for my event?
A cocktail with a DJ, ambient lighting and a bar fits comfortably within 32A three-phase (around 22 kW). As soon as hot catering, an LED wall or a concert sound system comes into play, 63A becomes necessary. We draw up the power assessment with you.
