What Is a Distro in Power?
In electrical power, a distro (short for “distribution box” or power distribution unit, PDU) is a rugged enclosure that safely splits a single power feed into many outputs. It typically has one heavy-duty input connector (often three-phase) and multiple output circuits. Distros are central nodes in event and industrial power systems – for example, a distro is part of an event’s larger electrical distribution network, bridging the main feed to lighting, sound, and other equipment. By consolidating breakers and cables in one box, distros make complex power setups more organized and safer.
How a Power Distro Works
A distro acts like a portable subpanel. Power enters through an inlet (often a 3-phase Camlock or Socapex plug) and is carried internally on heavy bus bars. From these bus bars, individual output circuits branch off – each protected by its own circuit breaker or residual-current device (RCD). Typical components include bus bars, circuit breakers, RCDs (ground-fault protectors), and surge suppressors. These features prevent overloads and faults on one channel from tripping the whole box. Each output is then presented on connectors (e.g. Cam-type, NEMA/IEC sockets, Socapex, etc.) mounted on the distro’s rugged, often weatherproof housing. By containing all breakers in one place, a distro greatly reduces loose cables and trip hazards on busy stages or work sites.
Common Use Cases
Power distros are widely used wherever large power loads must be distributed safely:
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Live Events & Concerts: Event producers rely on a power distro for events to feed stage lighting, sound systems, video walls and more from a single generator or mains source. For example, concert tours and festivals use distros to run lighting towers, audio amps, and production tents without running dozens of separate cables. These boxes handle the heavy current demands of PA systems and stage lights while keeping circuits protected and labeled.
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Film, TV & Theatre Production: On movie sets and theater stages, distros provide the backbone for lighting grids, cameras, and rigs. Film crews use distro boxes to manage dozens of lights and equipment safely (often in “Bento box” or rack-mount form). This lets crews pull from one source without overloading wall circuits, ensuring a smooth shoot or live broadcast.
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Exhibitions & Corporate Events: Trade show booths, corporate conventions and demo events often need temporary power for booths, demo stations, and AV gear. Portable distros supply electricity for computers, displays and demo equipment without messy cable chains. In other words, expos use distro boxes to centralize power distribution for multiple booths or stages, making setup faster and safer.
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Industrial & Construction: In industrial settings, rugged “spider” distro boxes deliver power to tools and machinery on site. For example, construction crews use 250VAC single-phase distros to run drills, saws, welders and lighting, powering heavy loads from one feed. Similarly, factories and temporary workspaces use distros to balance multiple machines on a generator or panel. These industrial distros enable reliable industrial power distribution for high-current equipment, protecting circuits with built-in breakers.
Key Components and Safety Features
A typical power distro box contains several core parts:
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Bus Bars: Heavy copper bars carry the main feed inside the box.
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Circuit Breakers: Each output leg is fused or breaker-protected. These MCBs/RCDs stop overloads or short circuits on a single channel.
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Output Sockets: Standard connectors (Camlock, Socapex, IEC, etc.) are mounted on the enclosure for easy plugging of devices.
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Safety Devices: Additional surge protectors or RCDs are often included for equipment protection.
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Rugged Enclosure: Industrial-grade metal or rubberized cases (often IP-rated) protect internal parts and resist weather.
Together, these components let a distro efficiently route power while isolating faults. For example, built-in RCDs and breakers ensure that if one sound console shorts out, it won’t shut down the entire rig.
CE-Certified & Custom Distro Boxes
Our company offers CE-certified distro boxes designed for B2B applications. A CE mark verifies that each unit meets EU electrical safety and EMC standards. In practice, this means our distros are constructed and tested to high-quality guidelines, giving procurement managers confidence in their reliability. We manufacture both standard and customized distros: you can choose from ready-made models (e.g. 63A, 125A, 400A units) or specify your exact configuration. For instance, clients frequently request special inlet/outlet layouts, higher amperage ratings, or additional safety features. Whether it’s a basic 6-circuit box or a large 3-phase splitter rack, our team builds each distro to order under strict safety regulations.
These industrial-grade distro boxes are rugged and long-lasting. Many have weatherproof enclosures and built-in handles/feet for portability. We also offer distro wholesale pricing for vendors and resellers needing bulk quantities or rental fleets. Our products are suitable for equipment rental companies, integrators, and large event producers – essentially any business requiring reliable, CE-approved power distribution equipment.
Why Choose Our Power Distros
In summary, a power distro box is a portable sub-panel that simplifies power management for events, shows, and industrial projects. Distros work by splitting a single feed into many circuits (with bus bars and breakers), protecting each output and making setup more efficient. They are widely used for concerts, film and TV production, exhibitions, and on industrial sites. Our company specializes in CE-certified distro solutions – from off-the-shelf units to fully custom designs. For wholesalers and large-scale projects, we provide competitive bulk pricing and engineering support. Visit sxpowercase.com to explore our catalog or discuss a custom power distro for your next event or installation. Contact our team for product inquiries or bulk order quotes.
