Trade Show Glossary

Trade Show Electrical Terms

By Sandy Flom
CEO, Extraordinary Show Productions Ltd.
July 2005

Amp (Ampere) – a unit of measurement of electrical current or the amount of electricity; Amps X Voltage = Watts

Back-light – a source of light that illuminates translucent material from behind such as in a tradeshow display graphic light box

A typical tradeshow exhibit booth electrical placement plan

Channelling – cutting channels in booth carpet pad to accommodate electrical wiring or computer cabling running under booth carpet resulting in a smooth finish without visible ridges or lumps in the carpet

Dog House – an apparatus that permits placement of multiple 20-amp, 120-volt circuits in one location for equipment or electrical distribution within a booth space

Duplex Outlet – an electrical receptacle with two outlets

Electrical Contractor – the company hired by show management to provide electrical services and equipment to trade show exhibitors

Fiber Optics – the transmission of light through extremely thin fibers of glass, plastic, or other transparent materials often used in tradeshow booths to capture attention

Flood Light – creates a widespread distribution of light perfect for illuminating a tradeshow exhibit booth wall, graphic sign or large product displays

Floor Order – an order for electrical services for a tradeshow booth placed at show site during exhibit move-in and installation; costs are usually significantly higher than for orders placed in advance

Floor Port – a utility box located in the trade show hall floor that contains electrical, telephone, or plumbing connections for distribution of services to exhibit booth spaces

Fluorescent Lamps – lamps which operate by creating an electric arc inside a gas-filled tube; the light color is determined by the type of phosphor coating used in the lamp; usually used in trade show graphic light boxes

Halogen Lamp – an incandescent lamp with halogen gas fill and a quartz glass capsule; used for highlighting trade show graphics or creating environments within the exhibit booth

Hard Wire – a permanent electrical connection such as when an exhibit booth light fixture is permanently connected directly to an electrical source rather than receiving power via a cord and plug

Junction Box – a point of distribution for electrical power to exhibitor booths

Kilowatt – a unit of electrical power equal to one thousands watts or ten Amps (Amperes)

Light Box – an enclosure with lighting fixtures positioned behind or under a translucent facing material; used to highlight trade show booth graphics or general exhibit hall graphics

Low Voltage – electrical currents of 24 volts or less usually used in animation and specialty lighting for trade show displays

Power Strip – an electrical unit with multiple electrical outlets

Quad Box – an apparatus with four electrical outlets

Raceway – metal or insulated rubber tubing used for channelling electrical wires within a trade show exhibit

Spotlight – a lamp that provides a defined circle of light used to highlight trade show display graphics or products within a trade show exhibit booth

Voltage – the practical unit of electric pressure; the pressure which will produce a current of one ampere against a resistance of one ohm

Wire Management – managing the placement of electrical wires or computer cables within a trade show exhibit so they are accessible to the exhibitor but hidden so as not to detract from the appearance of the exhibit

Watt – the basic unit of measurement of electricity

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