Bringing the Indoors Out: The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Power and Charging
June 2023
Outdoor spaces have become an extension of where we work, play and live. From modern outdoor office spaces to curated hospitality rooftop retreats, people expect to be charged up and connected to their devices indoors and out.
With the demand for reliable and convenient outdoor power expected to rise, selecting a dependable and safe outdoor power solution is essential to an optimal outdoor experience.
When exploring the wide selection of outdoor power and charging solutions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To help you find the right solution for your facility, this article will give an overview of the outdoor power landscape. In the sections below, we will discuss common outdoor power solution features, current market trends, common outdoor power applications, and – most importantly – offer tips on how to choose the right outdoor power and charging solution for your unique facility needs.
Key Outdoor Power and Charging Solution Features
Selecting an outdoor power and charging solution presents some unique challenges. Regardless of your type of facility, there are three main considerations you should keep in mind when selecting an outdoor power solution:1. Safety
Any outdoor power solution you select should be designed with safety in mind. This means the solution should include safety features such as proper ground, surge protection, and overload protection to prevent electrical hazards and accidents.
2. Durability
Your outdoor power solution needs to be able to survive the harsh outdoor elements, including rain, snow, extreme temperatures, and harsh UV exposure. The power solution should be constructed from corrosion-resistant materials that ensure a long product lifespan with consistent, optimal performance.
3. Aesthetics
You may have found an outdoor power solution that is safe and durable – but is it aesthetically pleasing? In today’s outdoor power market, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice form for function. Your outdoor power solution should blend in seamlessly with your outdoor space and enhance your outdoor aesthetic – not detract from it.
Outdoor Power and Charging Trends
As outdoor spaces continue to evolve in our increasingly connected world, current trends reveal how people consume power in the outdoors. Below are four outdoor power trends from today’s market that provide insight into consumer behavior:
1. Demand for increasingly rugged and durable outdoor power designs
Outdoor elements are harsh, and outdoor power solutions must endure the unique wear that comes with outdoor use. People want to charge up anywhere and everywhere in a diverse range of climates. Outdoor power solutions are continuing to improve with more durable, rugged designs that can withstand climate extremes and variabilities, including offer features such as enhanced waterproofing and corrosion-resistance technology.
2. Aesthetically pleasing outdoor power styles and designs
It’s not enough to just be safe and durable – an outdoor power solution must also have an aesthetic appeal. Designs today have advanced to produce solutions that are stylish and aesthetically pleasing without compromising safety or durability. Products are now crafted to complement a wide range of outdoor landscaping and décor to help maintain the visual appeal of the outdoor space.
3. USB-C and fast charging outdoor solutions
With more people charging up on the go, there is an increase in demand for efficient and quick charging outdoor power options. USB-C and fast charging technologies are becoming more prevalent in outdoor spaces, offering faster charging speeds and compatibility with a wide range of devices.
4. Smart outdoor charging solutions
Smart outdoor charging solutions are becoming more popular for accessing critical connections for outdoor events and boosting productivity in outdoor spaces. These solutions optimize charging efficiency and offer safe, intelligent charging for devices to ensure optimal performance.
5. Eco-friendly outdoor power solutions
As businesses continue to become more environmentally conscious, there is demand for outdoor power and charging solutions that prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability. Many outdoor power solutions now have eco-friendly features such as low power consumption, energy-saving modes, and are constructed from recycled materials.
Common Outdoor Power and Charging Applications
As environments where we work, live, and play change, so do the ways we connect and power up our devices.
There are a variety of outdoor spaces that are enhanced with a reliable outdoor power solution. Let’s take a closer look at five common outdoor applications where people are plugging in and charging up:
1. Hospitality
Convenient access to outdoor power and charging has become a must-have amenity for hospitality businesses seeking to promote longer stays and earn repeat reservations.
Guests now expect to stay connected and powered up during their stay, including while enjoying time outdoors. The just right outdoor power solution can help create the perfect outdoor retreat that will leave guests satisfied and keep them coming back for more.
2. Healthcare
Outdoor spaces are an essential element to a healthcare facility’s design. These spaces are versatile and support a variety of engagement including promoting patient healing, boosting staff well-being and productivity, and welcoming family members and visitors.
Whether it’s a patient recovering in a healing garden, a nurse recharging on break, or a family member seeking space to relax, a reliable outdoor power solution is critical to healthcare spaces to keep everyone powered up and connected.
3. Commercial Offices
As commercial offices continue to adapt to meet the needs of their evolving workforces, a trend of bringing the workplace outside has also gained popularity. Offering outdoor spaces with convenient access to power brings numerous benefits to employees and business owners. [BH1]
4. Higher education campuses
Campus outdoor spaces have become an extension of the college classroom. A dependable outdoor power solution can help students, faculty, and staff to work and study outdoors while staying charged up and connected to their devices.
5. Apartment Complexes
Beautiful outdoor living spaces create happy, satisfied tenants. From outdoor lounging areas to open air gyms to porches and patios, having access to convenient outdoor charging is now a must-have amenity.
How to Choose the Right Outdoor Power Solution
Selecting an outdoor power and charging solution presents some unique challenges – how do you find a solution that is safe, weather-resistant, and aesthetically pleasing?
From new construction to retrofit projects there’s an ideal option for every scenario.
Outdoor Ground Box
A permanent and weather-rated way to bring power outside all year round. Safe and easy to use, it’s perfect for facilities with frequent events that need to power food trucks, concession stands, A/V equipment, and more.
How Can It Help Me?
- Save yourself the time and headache typically needed for set up and tear down for events. The Outdoor Ground Box is permanently installed and seamlessly blends in with the landscape.
- Generators, extension cords, and spider boxes can cause tripping and other safety hazards, but the Outdoor Ground Box is safely tucked right into the ground.
- Other outdoor power solutions can be unattractive and obtrusive, but the flush design blends right in with the surrounding landscape.
Outdoor Charging Station
The Outdoor Charging Station is an elegant way to bring USB charging outside. With a variety of durable, premium finishes these pedestals blend right into your existing landscape design. At the same time, they’ll safely bring weather-resistant GFCI outlets, USB outlets, and illumination to outdoor spaces.
How Can It Help Me?
- 50% of guests wish they had access to an outdoor power station in outdoor common areas. The Outdoor Charging Station is a safe, attractive way to meet this need.
- If the ground is dug up for construction of the site, it’s easy to add several Outdoor Charging Stations throughout the space to optimize visitor engagement.
- To add other types of connections, simply add an A/V-Communication Kit to 3-gang versions to accommodate AVIP plates and decorate A/V or communication devices.
Outdoor Rooftop Box
Maximize every square foot of commercial buildings by taking advantage of the rooftop space. The Outdoor Rooftop Box is a revolutionary product that provides convenient access to power on raised rooftop deck installations and eliminates the need for extension cords along the decking.
How Can It Help Me?
- This box eliminates the need for extension cords along the decking surface – providing greater flexibility in power distribution within rooftop spaces.
- The box is designed to be installed flush alongside rooftop pavers for an unobtrusive functionality. Inside the box, a hinged top cover allows access to up to 2-gangs of devices.
- The internal outlet box can be rotated upwards to allow for easy access to connections. It also rotates downwards to provide cord drip loop protection for while-in-use functionality and weather protection.
Outdoor Power Pedestal
The Outdoor Power Pedestal is designed specifically for outdoor, high amperage applications, accommodating 15-60A electrical devices. With a variety of configurations, you can select the right option for your facility in a stylish design that blends into the landscape.
How Can It Help Me?
- The pedestal provides trustworthy and permanent power that always beats stubbing up conduit, which can be flimsy, unreliable, and even dangerous.
- Perfect for large outdoor spaces where end-users need access to high amperage power for items like food trucks or facility maintenance equipment.
- Available in 16” and 30” height versions with durable premium finishes, our pedestals promote discreet placement in the landscape architecture/foliage.
Networked Level-2 Commercial EV Charger
Legrand’s Networked Level-2 Commercial EV Charger offers convenient access to electric vehicle charging for tenants, guests, and employees. The networked charger comes configured with AmpUp managed charging solution software, decreasing the time it takes for installation and activation.
How Can It Help Me?
- Networked: Pre-installed with a 4G SIM card for cellular connectivity. Included SIM can connect to multiple networks, ensuring the best possible service.
- Access Control: Restrict access to authorized individuals with the built-in RFID card reader or with authorization through the AmpUp Driver App.
- Incentive-Ready: The charger qualifies for various incentives within the United States.
Conclusion
Legrand is a global leader in power, lighting, and data delivery. We see power moving outdoors, which is why we are innovating products to optimize your outdoor spaces. To learn more about our complete line of outdoor power solutions, visit legrand.us/outdoor.
