Electrical work is one of the most important systems in your concession trailer. Done right, it keeps you safe, passes inspection, and powers everything you need. Done wrong, it becomes a fire hazard and a constant source of frustration.

Choosing Your Service Size

Most concession trailers use either:

30 amp service – Suitable for lighter loads: fridge, lights, small equipment.
50 amp service – Better for builds with fryers, griddles, or multiple hot appliances.

List out every piece of equipment and its wattage. Add up the load and build in some headroom. Undersizing your service will limit your menu and cause nuisance breaker trips.

Basic Components

Breaker panel rated for your service size.
Shore power inlet (30A or 50A twist-lock or RV-style plug).
Romex cable (typically 12/2 for 20A circuits, 10/3 for heavier circuits).
Electrical boxes, strain relief connectors, and conduit as needed.
Standard and GFCI outlets with proper cover plates.
LED lighting to keep load low while maintaining bright work areas.

Planning Your Circuits

Separate your loads so that one device tripping a breaker doesn’t shut down everything.

One circuit for lights and general outlets.
Dedicated circuits for refrigerators and freezers.
A separate circuit for the water heater.
Additional dedicated circuits for heavy cooking equipment.

Label each circuit clearly in the panel. This makes inspection and troubleshooting much easier later on.

Safety Basics

Use proper strain relief where cables enter boxes or the breaker panel.
Protect wiring where it passes through metal with grommets or bushings.
Keep junction boxes accessible, not buried behind walls or equipment.
Use proper wire nuts or crimp connectors with heat shrink, not tape-only connections.

Work With Inspection in Mind

Even if you hire a licensed electrician to do the final connections, you can pre-plan the routing, box locations, and panel position. The cleaner your layout, the easier it is for a pro to finish and for an inspector to approve.

A well-planned electrical system keeps your trailer safe, reliable, and ready to support your menu without constant tripping and rewiring.