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X-Real-To: stagecraftlist [at] theatrical.net Received: by prxy.net (CommuniGate Pro PIPE 4.2.10) with PIPE id 28002986; Mon, 27 Feb 2006 03:01:29 -0800 X-Spam-Status: No, score=-3.9 required=5.0 tests=ADVANCE_FEE_1,AWL,BAYES_00, NO_RECEIVED,NO_RELAYS,TW_TK,TW_WX autolearn=no version=3.1.0 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.1.0 (2005-09-13) on prxy.net X-Spam-Level: X-ListServer: CommuniGate Pro LIST 4.2.10 List-Unsubscribe: List-ID: Message-ID: From: "Stagecraft" Sender: "Stagecraft" To: "Stagecraft" Precedence: list Subject: Stagecraft Digest #707 Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2006 03:00:30 -0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Disposition: inline X-TFF-CGPSA-Version: 1.4 X-prxy-Spam-Filter: Scanned For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see --------------------------------------------------- Stagecraft Digest, Issue #707 1. Beer Prayer (may or may not be OT) by Jacqueline Haney Kidwell 2. Re: by "Tony Deeming" 3. Re: circuit breaker by "Bill Conner" 4. Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! by "Bill Conner" 5. Re: circuit breaker by "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" 6. Re: Rant (was: Hanging Choir Mics & Snow, Exit, Safety) by "Bill Conner" 7. Re: circuit breaker by "Bill Conner" 8. LD needed NYC by Herrick Goldman 9. Re: circuit breaker by "Bill Conner" 10. Wireless tablet lighting control by "Bill Conner" 11. Re: circuit breaker by Bruce Purdy 12. Re: Wireless tablet lighting control by "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" 13. Re: Wireless tablet lighting control by "Ford H. Sellers" 14. Re: Mackie sound boards by Greg Bierly 15. Re: circuit breaker by MissWisc [at] aol.com 16. Re: NEC Adoption (was circuit breaker) by Mitch Hefter 17. Re: NEC Adoption (was circuit breaker) by Jerry Durand 18. Re: circuit breaker by Mitch Hefter 19. Re: circuit breaker by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 20. Re: Designers and consultants by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 21. Re: circuit breaker by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 22. Re: Traveler track floor pulley by doran [at] bard.edu 23. Re: NEC Adoption (was circuit breaker) by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 24. Re: circuit breaker by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 25. Re: circuit breaker by Jerry Durand 26. Re: circuit breaker by Dale Shirk 27. Re: Wireless tablet lighting control by Steve Bailey 28. Re: funky new theaters, traveler lines by Jim Hyslop 29. Re: circuit breaker by Jim Hyslop 30. Mackie Boards by CB 31. Re: How to (cross a cable) drop a drop box. by CB 32. Rant (was: Hanging Choir Mics & Snow, Exit, Safety) by CB 33. Re: circuit breaker by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 34. Re: circuit breaker by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 35. Re: Mackie Boards by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com 36. Re: Mackie sound boards by CB 37. Re: circuit breaker by Jerry Durand 38. Re: Rant (was: Hanging Choir Mics & Snow, Exit, Safety) by "Idaho Scenic and Rigging" 39. Re: Express (Was: Designers and consultants - A RANT!) by Bruce Purdy 40. Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! by Stephen Litterst 41. Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! by Stephen Litterst 42. Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! by Stephen Litterst 43. Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! by Stephen Litterst 44. Re: circuit breaker by Dale Farmer 45. Re: circuit breaker by Dale Farmer 46. Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! by "Fitch, Tracy" 47. Re: circuit breaker by Dale Farmer 48. Olympics closing ceremony. by Dale Farmer 49. Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! by Brian Aldous 50. Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! by Bruce Purdy 51. Re: Traveler track floor pulley by "Bill Nelson" 52. Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! by "Bill Nelson" 53. Diversitronics SCM-64Q DMX Strobe Cannon by "Bill Nelson" *** Please update the subject line of your reply to use the subject *** line of the message you are replying to! Please only reply to *** one message subject in each reply. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <20060226131255.29489.qmail [at] web36204.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 05:12:55 -0800 (PST) From: Jacqueline Haney Kidwell Subject: Beer Prayer (may or may not be OT) Our lager, Which art in barrels, Hollowed be thy drink. I will be drunk, At home as in the travern. Give us this day our foamy head, And forgive us our spillages, As we forgive those who spill against us. And lead us not into incarceration, But deliver us from hangerovers. For thine is the beer. The bitter and the lager Forever and ever, Barmen. (from a joke list I get) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ From: "Tony Deeming" Subject: RE: Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 14:07:55 -0000 Message-ID: In-Reply-To: > There is no documentation, and no one seems to know anything. If you need documentation for the 300 desk, there are several different on-line and downloadable files on the Strand website - check out http://www.strandlight.com/EU/Index.htm I warn you, though - the full manual for the 300/500 series is around 3 inches thick when printed!! TD ------------------------------ Message-ID: <014401c63ae4$fae39090$6501a8c0 [at] BCA1> Reply-To: "Bill Conner" From: "Bill Conner" Subject: Re: circuit breaker Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 08:57:35 -0600 Jerry posted: "Just out of curiosity, do any jurisdictions use the latest NEC? I know all the ones I've seen specify a particular year NEC code. I assume this gets updated from time to time...or not." I think there are still a few jurisdictions that don't use the NEC: Chicago, maybe NYC still. It won't surprise me to learn there are others but an overwhelming majority of the country does uses the NEC as a model for their laws: states, counties, cities, villages - whatever the jurisdiction is. Some very quickly revise heir ordinances and adopt the newest edition as soon as it is available - every three years; others take longer but do the same - every three years; still others tend to skip editions and only change every 6 or 9 or even 12 years. Politics and money are involved. Seems harder to me to catch up on 3 or 4 sets of changes after 9 or 12 years than just do one set every three but each to their own - I don't expect government to make sense. Bill C. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <014b01c63ae5$a6775cc0$6501a8c0 [at] BCA1> Reply-To: "Bill Conner" From: "Bill Conner" Subject: Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 09:02:23 -0600 Steve L. posted: "Apparently my mind is wired wrong because I find effect writing, editing and playback much easier on the Strand pallette line than on the ETC Express(ion) line." Or you didn't drink the kool-aid. Bill C. ------------------------------ Reply-To: From: "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" Cc: bill [at] bcaworld.com ('Bill Conner') Subject: RE: circuit breaker Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 10:09:25 -0500 Message-ID: <002d01c63ae6$a18b5530$6501a8c0 [at] Dell> In-Reply-To: > Some very quickly revise heir ordinances and adopt the > newest edition > as soon as it is available - every three years; others take > longer Is there likely to be a situation in which adherence to the newer version would put one in violation of ordinances based on the previous version? ------------------------------ Message-ID: <014f01c63ae8$2bb47bf0$6501a8c0 [at] BCA1> Reply-To: "Bill Conner" From: "Bill Conner" Subject: Re: Rant (was: Hanging Choir Mics & Snow, Exit, Safety) Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 09:20:25 -0600 SS posted: "I'd just like to take a moment and state that this applies to just about anything in life really, and that it seems like just an ounce of common sense. My question is then, why is it that this "theory" is in fact so damn difficult to get through to other people? Why does something so obvious and proper always have to seem like a "lost cause" all the time? The "let's half-ass everything" approach never gets you anywhere, and ends up costing more in the long run anyway (be it monetarilly, emotionally, or whatever!)" In theatre, I think we get use to solving emergencies in the spirit of the show must go on. Unfortunately, all too often we don't have time to come back and fix it correctly. In addition, we find that some of these emergency fixes actually solve a problem better than the way it was planned, but we don't take the time to properly develop it. It's time - we try to do too much, more than the other guy, and most of us have no major regrets. We need more geeks who aren't in a hurry to stick to those things that take time. I just wish all of us could take the necessary time when it comes to safety. Way off topic I think. Bill C. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <015801c63ae8$e9fbe120$6501a8c0 [at] BCA1> Reply-To: "Bill Conner" From: "Bill Conner" Cc: stagecraft [at] jeffsalzberg.com References: <002d01c63ae6$a18b5530$6501a8c0 [at] Dell> Subject: Re: circuit breaker Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 09:25:45 -0600 Jeffrey posts: Is there likely to be a situation in which adherence to the newer version would put one in violation of ordinances based on the previous version? Yes, but I don't know how often. One example: when romex was introduced and several times since when the code has permitted it in more occupancies. Usually, it isn't a problem. Use to be the pilot light for dressing room outklets and lights had to be in teh dressing room, now it has to be in the corridor or outside the dressing room. That was a clear opposite but I think you could explain that one to (almost) any inspector and do it the new way (I'm sure someone somewhere would require both in and out). I'm sure there are other examples - but I'll bet that the contradictions between building and fire codes and ADA are much more significant than between editions of teh NEC. Bill C. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 10:33:35 -0500 Subject: LD needed NYC From: Herrick Goldman Message-ID: Hi folks, I=B9m forwarding this on for a friend. They=B9re great folks and I=B9m sure the show will be fun. I=B9m booked that week or I=B9d be doing it. Please don=B9t respond to me, but contact Trish. Subject: Bye Bye Birdie Bulletin Seeking Lighting Designer! =20 Plays Well With Others Productinons will be presenting a non-union production of Bye Bye Birdie, a 90 min, modernized version of the classic musical, with major focus on the lighting. Debuting at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Pl. btw. 1/A), this east village theater holds access to 50 light= s and 50+ seats; a perfect fit for our version. Production dates are April 13th (8:00pm), April 14th (8:00pm), and April 15th (8:00 & 10:30pm). Rehearsals go underway March 18th with production meetings scheduled for March 7th, March 14th and others, TBA. We're looking for a lighting designer who can offer their expertise and can commit to this project from March to mid-April. Once in contact, a specific schedule has been arranged by the director and an agreement of a stipend, can be reached. Graduates o= f The Boston Conservatory, the creative team are: Emily Swanson-Director, Kyl= e Pleasant- Choregrapher, and Tiffany Radovich-Musical Director. =20 Contact Trish LaRose, production manager, at dadish26 [at] aol.com or 212.946.5046. =20 Plays Well With Others Productions Provoke. React. Enjoy. =20 =20 --=20 Herrick Goldman Lighting Designer, NYC www.HGLightingDesign.com 917-797-3624 "To the scores of silent alchemists who wreak their joy in darkness and in light bringing magic to life, we bow most humbly. "-CDS ------------------------------ Message-ID: <015c01c63aeb$dad8ba80$6501a8c0 [at] BCA1> Reply-To: "Bill Conner" From: "Bill Conner" Subject: Re: circuit breaker Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 09:46:48 -0600 Frank posted: "Well, maybe. Do you really want your 60W table lamp, and its wiring, protected by a 20A breaker?" Not a problem for me, and the records kept by the NFPA suggest it is not a problem. I believe in being safe enough, not as safe as possible - I can't afford to be safer than safe enough. And it isn't like a 10 amp or 15 amp circuit can't do damage. The one thing I think Dale left out was that the number of circuits (or total wattage) is based on sq footage after the fixed or known loads are accounted for. The number and location of receptacles is based on cord lengths (so a receptacle every 12' along a unbroken wall) and not walking on cords (so at least one receptacle between any two doors). If two rooms require, say, 15 amps for outlets and lighting based on square footage, you are required to have one 20 amp circuit. If the layout and door openings an wall lengths are such, you may only need 8 outlets - but you could have 20 or 50 or whatever you'd like and will pay for. It is odd that some jurisdictions will limit the number of receptacles on a circuit, thus encouraging plug strips as more practical than adding another circuit. Bill C. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <016401c63aed$15b2d720$6501a8c0 [at] BCA1> Reply-To: "Bill Conner" From: "Bill Conner" Subject: Wireless tablet lighting control Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 09:55:36 -0600 I have a client who would like to be able to operate lighting from a wireless tablet. I was think of looking at a tablet pc and ET's Horizon software as one option. Anyone have another? This has to be fairly complete control including writing a show - maybe even with automated lights - not just remote focus and running cues. Thanks. Bill C. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 11:06:49 -0500 Subject: Re: circuit breaker From: Bruce Purdy Message-ID: In-Reply-To: > Use to be the pilot light for dressing room > outklets and lights had to be in teh dressing room, now it has to be in the > corridor or outside the dressing room. Pilot lights???? My gas stove has a pilot light, but I don't think that's what you're talking about. Bruce -- Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ Reply-To: From: "Jeffrey E. Salzberg" Cc: bill [at] bcaworld.com ('Bill Conner') Subject: RE: Wireless tablet lighting control Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 11:07:13 -0500 Message-ID: <003201c63aee$b4e28790$6501a8c0 [at] Dell> In-Reply-To: You might look at ET's "Marquee" -- it's (at least) one level up from Horizon. > I have a client who would like to be able to operate lighting from a > wireless tablet. I was think of looking at a tablet pc and > ET's Horizon > software as one option. Anyone have another? This has to be fairly > complete control including writing a show - maybe even with automated > lights - not just remote focus and running cues. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <28812.64.9.113.155.1140971099.squirrel [at] webmail.cornell.edu> In-Reply-To: References: Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 11:24:59 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: Wireless tablet lighting control From: "Ford H. Sellers" How about HOG PC, or MAXXIS PC (new dongle doe out this month). These'll both give you full functionality, with multiple Universes of DMX, and great support for Movers. There's also Lightjockey, we've just started to use this (in conjunction with our Moving Lights/Lighting Visualisation Software Class) and have fount it to be ok, but a bit wonky with patching large #'s of conventionals. What type of Facility is this for? -Ford > > I have a client who would like to be able to operate lighting from a > wireless tablet. I was think of looking at a tablet pc and ET's Horizon > software as one option. Anyone have another? This has to be fairly > complete control including writing a show - maybe even with automated > lights - not just remote focus and running cues. > > Thanks. > > Bill C. > > Ford H. Sellers Master Electrician Cornell University Schwartz Center For The Performing Arts Department Of Theatre Film And Dance 430 College Ave. Ithaca, NY 14850 Telephone: 607/254-2736 Fax: 607/254-2733 E-mail: fhs4 [at] cornell.edu ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References:

Message-Id: <57932149-27BC-4CFB-BE5C-E9C4A618FF6A [at] dejazzd.com> From: Greg Bierly Subject: Re: Mackie sound boards Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 11:39:14 -0500 > On an analog board, one fader > controls one channel...but on a digital board, it's like having pages > of submasters on an LX console. A 48-channel digital board might only > have 12 or 16 faders, which limits what you can do live. I am in tech this weekend so have limited time to respond but If you haven't looked at the M7CL watch the online video. The 32 channel has 32 faders. Granted it doesn't have all the knobs for each channel but one button give you access to the exact channel (or group of channels) you are working on. No additional layers. It apparently has been a hit in the church market. I can see it gaining ground as the prices come down. This is only the second digital console I have been able to sit down at and within minutes have been able to run the basic functions. (first was the Allen and Heath prototype I saw at AES that was even easier but had three layers of channels and $60k). So far the biggest benefit is that I can make the console as easy as a couple of faders for students to run a lectern mic on up to those with some skills can adjust eqs and aux outputs up to the professional I just hired that has full access to most of the features found on a Yamaha 4k. I can lock out any unneeded features. Greg Bierly Technical Director Hempfield High School ------------------------------ From: MissWisc [at] aol.com Message-ID: <268.66868d6.313341be [at] aol.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 12:39:10 EST Subject: Re: circuit breaker Cc: stagecraft [at] jeffsalzberg.com bill-conner [at] att.net writes: << ...but I'll bet that the contradictions between building and fire codes and ADA are much more significant than between editions of teh NEC.>> Amen to that! Several local businesses got sued because Mrs. Wheelchair whereever decided that they weren't accessable enough. The one that irked me most is when she sued a mom and pop diner where the owner would personally stop coooking to go outside and help his wheelchair using customers to get up the 3 steps into his building (he's got a portable ramp). They were sued because they didn't provide handicapped parking. They are located on Main street in a small community and have NO parking of their own. Spent their $5K vacation fund fighting the suit, which they won. To top it all off - the woman has never been in the place - she just hooked up with some lawyer from Florida who's famous for these suits. Arrgh! Kristi Kristi ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.1.0.6.2.20060226114519.032125f8 [at] mail.DesignRelief.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 12:00:33 -0600 From: Mitch Hefter Subject: Re: NEC Adoption (was circuit breaker) In-Reply-To: References: Jerry Durand wrote: >Just out of curiosity, do any jurisdictions use the latest NEC? I >know all the ones I've seen specify a particular year NEC code. I >assume this gets updated from time to time...or not. Yes. See: http://www.mikeholt.com/necadoptionlist.php . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------ Mitch Hefter Office: Entertainment Technology / a Genlyte Company mhefter [at] genlytecontrols.com +1-214/ 647-7880 x 7967 http://www.etdimming.com :: http://www.vari-lite.com ------------------------------ Message-Id: <7.0.1.0.0.20060226100505.01efc9c8 [at] interstellar.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 10:06:19 -0800 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: NEC Adoption (was circuit breaker) In-Reply-To: References:

At 10:00 AM 2/26/2006, you wrote: >Yes. See: >http://www.mikeholt.com/necadoptionlist.php Frank, here's something for your amusement. Note the WIDE range code versions on this side of the pond. Imagine someone who does business in more than one state... -- Jerry Durand, Durand Interstellar, Inc. www.interstellar.com 219 Oak Wood Way, Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886, USA toll free: 1 866 356-3886 ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.1.0.6.2.20060226115612.0324a9b0 [at] mail.DesignRelief.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 12:08:08 -0600 From: Mitch Hefter Subject: Re: circuit breaker In-Reply-To: References: Frank Wood wrote: >dale [at] cybercom.net writes: > > > So, each circuit starts at a breaker in the panel, runs to the first > > outlet it serves, then is daisy-chained from it to the next, and the > > next and so on, until it stops at the last device. None of that silly > > ring main nonsense that you insist is so superior. > >Well, maybe. Do you really want your 60W table lamp, and its wiring, >protected by a 20A breaker? If it was designed to a standard and tested and listed to that standard (e.g., Underwriters Laboratories) for use in such conditions. >If you have one, put on your engineer's hat. Consider the subject >objectively. There are multiple ways to approach the problem. I believe most electrical fires are not the result of a failure in the 60W lamp, rather other parts of the system where a fuses in the lamp power supply cord would not have done anything, . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------ Mitch Hefter Office: Entertainment Technology / a Genlyte Company mhefter [at] genlytecontrols.com +1-214/ 647-7880 x 7967 http://www.etdimming.com :: http://www.vari-lite.com ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <2ca.4291c63.3133582b [at] aol.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 14:14:51 EST Subject: Re: circuit breaker In a message dated 26/02/06 02:39:33 GMT Standard Time, dale [at] cybercom.net writes: > What are the failure modes? Boiling them down: > First is a dead short between the two current carrying leads. Yup, > breaker trips after a fraction of a second. No problem now. > Next is a contact between the neutral and the metal case of the lamp. > Neutral is at or close to ground potential, so no significant hazard > absent another complicating problem. No biggie. > Next is a contact between the hot lead and the metallic casing of the > lamp. Well, if the casing is metallic, then US code requires that the > casing be connected to the grounded or the grounding conductor, thus > this reduces to the short circuit case I first described. No problem > once the breaker or fuse pops after a fraction of a second. > The wiring in US table lamps are designed to safely withstand that 20 > amp current flow for rather longer than the fraction of a second that it > takes for a fuse or breaker to pop. There's one more: sustained overload. This is the one that sets things on fire. While hard to do with a table lamp, although possible, it's quite easy for it to happed in electronic equipment and in hair dryers. Even in a table lamp, the combination of a live-to-case fault and an imperfect grounding connection to the case can manage it. Too much current for the cable: not enough to trip the breaker quickly. Circuit protection needs study, case by case. Fuses and breakers have overcurrent against time characteristics. As an example, I was once testing a 2KW HMI. THis was in a temporary lab, the real one being rebuilt, and between the outlet and the lamp were three four-way extensions, each having a fuse both in the connector and the 4-way, plus the fuse in the lamp connector and an internal fuse in the power supply. These have a complicated start sequence, the second stage of which had been mis-wired to apply a full line-to-neutral short. This took out the fuse in the power supply, the 40A breaker feeding the lab, and the 60A breaker behind that. The seven intermediate fuses were all intact, as the rest of the protection was too quick for them. But, in general, protection devices will take a slight overload for some time, decreasing as the overload rises. Do not forget the magnitude of a full short circuit current, either. These are limited only by the wiring impedances, and can be many thousands of amps. Quite enough to blow apart a poorly made connection with a short arc, which can also ignite things. It is important, in a TV studio, that one failure does not blow the whole works. One comms amp going down should not take out the whole sound desk, nor even the whole comms system. This is known as 'discrimination', and needs careful selection of fuses and breakers. Frank Wood ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <22e.7112970.31335b52 [at] aol.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 14:28:18 EST Subject: Re: Designers and consultants In a message dated 26/02/06 08:31:03 GMT Standard Time, billn [at] peak.org writes: > With no operator, changes are best made from the house, not the booth. I > need the actors/dancers on stage before I can catch all the deficiencies. > And I can fix several problems in the time it would take to tell an > operator to adjust just one level - which might need even further > adjustment. This works fine in a proscenium house, where the audience has a substantially unique view. Not so clever in an arena theatre, where the LD has to prowl all round the amphitheatre to make sure that it works from everywhere. Even after the tech, when all the cues are officially established to the director's satisfaction, I still spend three or four rehearsals looking for problems, and finding solutions. Frank Wood ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <29c.61812e2.31335d67 [at] aol.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 14:37:11 EST Subject: Re: circuit breaker In a message dated 26/02/06 14:57:55 GMT Standard Time, bill-conner [at] att.net writes: > Some very quickly revise heir ordinances and adopt the newest edition > as soon as it is available - every three years; others take longer but do > the same - every three years; still others tend to skip editions and only > change every 6 or 9 or even 12 years. Politics and money are involved. > Seems harder to me to catch up on 3 or 4 sets of changes after 9 or 12 years > > than just do one set every three but each to their own - I don't expect > government to make sense. Do you accept retrospective legislation? We don't. If it was according to the rules when it was originally installed, that's fine. New work must be done according to the current rules. Frank Wood ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1140982842.4402043a12364 [at] webmail.bard.edu> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 14:40:42 -0500 From: doran [at] bard.edu Subject: Re: Traveler track floor pulley References:

In-Reply-To: Michael, Have you tried using a Detachable Floor Block Kit? It's a steel plate you rout flush with, and screw into your floor, where it lives for the rest of it's life. The 7 ga. steel plate has two keyhole slots cut into it that accept bolts that are attaced to the convenient holes in your floor block. Cheap, easy, and doesn't weigh anything. Depending on which side of the Rockies, you might try your nearest H&H/Atlas Silk or Automatic Devices Company dealer. Good luck, Andy Champ-Doran Bard College Theater Quoting "Michael L. Cristaldi" : > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > Hi, > Can you tail down from the system pipe to secure the floor block? I've > had success with that. > One easy method if weight is not a huge concern is to use bottom pipe > vertically, U bolted to the batten and then tech screwed to the floor > pulley. > This also allows you to stretch the system tighter than you could with > a sandbag. > > Hope that helps, > staldi > ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <264.66c6911.31336055 [at] aol.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 14:49:41 EST Subject: Re: NEC Adoption (was circuit breaker) In a message dated 26/02/06 18:07:12 GMT Standard Time, jdurand [at] interstellar.com writes: > Frank, here's something for your amusement. Note the WIDE range code > versions on this side of the pond. Imagine someone who does business > in more than one state.. I know. We at least have only one set of rules. But they are only advisory, and have no legal force. They represent the considered wisdom of the professional engineers. There is nothing to stop you doing installations any damn way you please. But if it goes wrong, you will need a very nifty lawyer to convince a court that you are right. Frank Wood ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 14:50:43 EST Subject: Re: circuit breaker In a message dated 26/02/06 18:08:38 GMT Standard Time, stagecraft02 [at] DesignRelief.com writes: > There are multiple ways to approach the problem. I believe most electrical > fires are not the result of a failure in the 60W lamp, rather other parts > of the system where a fuses in the lamp power supply cord would not have > done anything, Such as? Frank Wood ------------------------------ Message-Id: <7.0.1.0.0.20060226120250.01efc3d8 [at] interstellar.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 12:04:54 -0800 From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: circuit breaker In-Reply-To: References: At 11:14 AM 2/26/2006, you wrote: >It is important, in a TV studio, that one failure does not blow the whole >works. One comms amp going down should not take out the whole sound desk, nor >even the whole comms system. This is known as 'discrimination', and >needs careful >selection of fuses and breakers. There was a case in the early days of NASA where a short in a soda machine killed the breaker for the radio gear...just as they launched a satellite. They have no idea where that rocket went, probably landed in the ocean. They couldn't abort, track, or anything else. They changed the soda machine circuit after that. -- Jerry Durand, Durand Interstellar, Inc. www.interstellar.com 219 Oak Wood Way, Los Gatos, California 95032-2523 USA tel: +1 408 356-3886, USA toll free: 1 866 356-3886 ------------------------------ Message-ID: <440210BF.5050304 [at] shirkaudio.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 15:34:07 -0500 From: Dale Shirk Reply-To: daleshirk [at] shirkaudio.com Organization: Shirk Audio & Acoustics Subject: Re: circuit breaker References:

In-Reply-To: Dale Farmer wrote: > Okay. Lets do a risk analysis then. > What are the failure modes? ..... > Next is a contact between the hot lead and the metallic casing of the > lamp. Well, if the casing is metallic, then US code requires that the > casing be connected to the grounded or the grounding conductor, thus > this reduces to the short circuit case I first described. I gotta step out of lurk mode to take exception here. In no case are exposed metallic parts ever allowed to connect to the neutral ("grounded conductor"). In the case of metallic parts being connected to the grounding conductor (ground), the branch circuit fuse or circuit breaker will blow. However there are a significant number of exceptions where two conductor cords (hot, neutral, no ground) can be used on things like lamps, small appliances, hifi gear and the like. There are a stringent set of rules, including insulation type, maximum leakage current (0.75ma), and a host of other requirements, but the fact remains, we have a lot of electrical items with 2-wire plugs and exposed metallic parts. When these devises experience a hot lead to chassis short, they do not blow any breakers, but do expose the user to a potential line voltage shock. Here's the big difference between USA and UK, 117 Volts vs. 230 Volts. In the US, equipment and appliance cords are at least 18 guage, sufficient to trip a 20 Amp breaker. The exceptions, such a Christmas tree light and other ornamental lighting that uses smaller guage wiring, will have smaller fuses built into the plug. Dale Shirk Shirk Audio & Acoustics Terre Hill, Pa. ------------------------------ Message-ID: From: Steve Bailey Subject: RE: Wireless tablet lighting control Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 16:22:13 -0500 -----Original Message----- From: Bill Conner [mailto:bill-conner [at] att.net] I have a client who would like to be able to operate lighting from a wireless tablet. I was think of looking at a tablet pc and ET's Horizon software as one option. Anyone have another? This has to be fairly complete control including writing a show - maybe even with automated lights - not just remote focus and running cues. I believe that the ETC Emphasis and Obsession II systems support Virtual FacePanel software from ETC, which could be used on a tablet. I'm certain Strand has something similar as well. Steve Bailey Brooklyn College ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4402215D.6050906 [at] dreampossible.ca> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 16:45:01 -0500 From: Jim Hyslop Organization: Dreampossible Inc. Subject: Re: funky new theaters, traveler lines References: In-Reply-To: Jim Dougherty wrote: > P.S. I do like our theater, but it is quirky. Doesn't that statement apply to almost all theatres? -- Jim Hyslop ------------------------------ Message-ID: <440225AB.9020705 [at] dreampossible.ca> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 17:03:23 -0500 From: Jim Hyslop Organization: Dreampossible Inc. Subject: Re: circuit breaker References: In-Reply-To: Jeffrey E. Salzberg wrote: > Is there likely to be a situation in which adherence to the newer version > would put one in violation of ordinances based on the previous version? Yes, occasionally rules get relaxed, not tightened. As an example, in Ontario, the current rules (for household wiring) allow two separate circuits to be carried on a 14-3 cable, without tying the circuit breakers together. Previously you couldn't do that. The old rules seem safer to me! -- Jim Hyslop ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20060226163838.00d263b8 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 16:38:38 From: CB Subject: Mackie Boards >I would suggest going with something like an Allen&Heath GL2400-32 . which >retails for about $2500. I am not a dealer of anything. Ergh. Spend at *least* a hunnert bucks a channel. A&H makes some consoles that are better than others, too. While I like them better than the Mackies (why is all the fasteasycheap stuff start with 'Mac'?) They do have their issues. Fer example, set the gain o one of the EQ's para-mids at null (center, zero, no gain no cut, whatever you prefer to call it) and then run the frequency sweep. You'll hear it like George's sleeve is hitting the reel again. At null, there should be no gain and no cut, and so there should be no change when you run the sweep. I'd be less concerned if it were the same (cut or gain) on each channel, but its a crapshoot which way it'll go, and how far. Also, assign the channel to all four groups (or eight, as the console goes) and run tone through it. With all four (or eight) group sliders at 0 dB, the output from one channel should be identical. It won't be. I'll bet you a dollar right now! Their next steps up (the 3K's and the 4K's) have fewer issues, but, of course, cost more. They are reasonably priced, and do fairly well of you don't beat or abuse them. Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20060226170400.00d263b8 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 17:04:00 From: CB Subject: RE: How to (cross a cable) drop a drop box. >Most of the time if I see a power line taped to a >snake the power amps are onstage so there isn't much current going to FOH. If ytou're powering a, say, large frame Midas console (XL3 or 4) or a largish Cadac )like maybe a J) you have two power-amps at the FOH position. There isn't really a whole lot different betwxt the amps on the deck and the PS under the console, except that the amps on the deck tend not to be working very hard. Sound takes the stance that its easier to run your own power and deal with the EMI than it is to take power from wherever and deal with the noise/ground issue. It the lesser of two evils. And someone asked: >>If memory serves, if you have to cross the cables, it's >>best to cross them at right angles to reduce interference. Would the >>same principle apply with DMX? Sort of. The physical principles apply in both situations, but the balanced DMX is 5V, adn it either works or it doesn't. If the signal gets over the noise floor, viola, your done, movin' on. In audio, even if the signal/noise ratio is very good, a small amount of noise is very bad. Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20060226170856.00d263b8 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 17:08:56 From: CB Subject: Rant (was: Hanging Choir Mics & Snow, Exit, Safety) >My question is then, why is it that this "theory" is in fact so damn >difficult to get through to other people? 'Cause people, in general, are cheap, lazy, stupid bastards. Everyone was thinking it, I just said (emailed) it out loud. Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <2ec.1d2d83c.31339bef [at] aol.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 19:03:59 EST Subject: Re: circuit breaker In a message dated 26/02/06 20:34:50 GMT Standard Time, lists [at] shirkaudio.com writes: > I gotta step out of lurk mode to take exception here. In no case are > exposed metallic parts ever allowed to connect to the neutral ("grounded > conductor"). In the case of metallic parts being connected to the > grounding conductor (ground), the branch circuit fuse or circuit breaker > will blow. However there are a significant number of exceptions where > two conductor cords (hot, neutral, no ground) can be used on things like > lamps, small appliances, hifi gear and the like. There are a stringent > set of rules, including insulation type, maximum leakage current > (0.75ma), and a host of other requirements, but the fact remains, we > have a lot of electrical items with 2-wire plugs and exposed metallic parts. This is allowed, in what is called 'double insulated' equipment. Much Hi-Fi gear is such. The standard test requires it to be gone over with a 2KV probe, checking all the exposed metalwork against line and neutral together. Fixing screws and such. For gear which does not meet this standard, all exposed metalwork must be connected to the safety ground, and nowhere else. This sometimes causes problems with video equipment, as the outer of the co-ax connectors is usually down to the mounting plate. I have seen such connectors mounted on insulating plates, to separate the signal and safety grounds. Frank Wood ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <7d.7a839dfe.31339d35 [at] aol.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 19:09:25 EST Subject: Re: circuit breaker In a message dated 26/02/06 22:03:58 GMT Standard Time, theatre [at] dreampossible.ca writes: > Yes, occasionally rules get relaxed, not tightened. As an example, in > Ontario, the current rules (for household wiring) allow two separate > circuits to be carried on a 14-3 cable, without tying the circuit > breakers together. Previously you couldn't do that. The old rules seem > safer to me! Yes. For years we laboured under a rule which required 6' separation between outlets fed from different phases. This has now gone away. Frank Wood ------------------------------ From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com Message-ID: <193.51e24f5c.31339f42 [at] aol.com> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 19:18:10 EST Subject: Re: Mackie Boards In a message dated 26/02/06 23:28:53 GMT Standard Time, psyd [at] cox.net writes: > Fer example, set the gain o one of the EQ's para-mids at > null (center, zero, no gain no cut, whatever you prefer to call it) and > then run the frequency sweep. You'll hear it like George's sleeve is > hitting the reel again. At null, there should be no gain and no cut, and > so there should be no change when you run the sweep. I'd be less concerned > if it were the same (cut or gain) on each channel, but its a crapshoot > which way it'll go, and how far. > Also, assign the channel to all four groups (or eight, as the console goes) > and run tone through it. With all four (or eight) group sliders at 0 dB, > the output from one channel should be identical. It won't be. I'll bet > you a dollar right now! You're preaching to the choir, for me. Exact and accurate line-up is important, both for level and for frequency response. With all the controls in their null or line-up state, what comes in goes out unchanged. What you do with them after that is up to your judgement, but at least you can start from a level playing field. Frank Wood ------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20060226173148.00d263b8 [at] pop.west.cox.net> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 17:31:48 From: CB Subject: Re: Mackie sound boards >These two desks often get used for major live events and are >especially popular in festival type set-ups as it means settings can be >stored during a sound check and then recalled when needed during the >main event. They are also great in multi-use facilities because one can >have a preprogrammed patch and set up for any kind of repeat events and >also lock out certain settings depending on who has to be able to use it. And you can add to that that you no longer need a sound guy that knows things. I'm with Paul, but I also just started to yell at the neighbor kids. too. Damn kids, always cutting across my lawn! I get the advantages of digital consoles, but they aren't as much fun as the old analogue stuff. One big, giant, over-lit mouse, if you ask me. Chris "Chris" Babbie Location Sound MON AZ Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment. Rates negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment... ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: <7DC7FBA0-E6FC-4E11-BD12-C46B3E32F68F [at] interstellar.com> From: Jerry Durand Subject: Re: circuit breaker Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 16:33:07 -0800 On Feb 26, 2006, at 4:03 PM, FrankWood95 [at] aol.com wrote: > For gear which does not meet this standard, all exposed metalwork > must be > connected to the safety ground, and nowhere else. This sometimes > causes problems > with video equipment, as the outer of the co-ax connectors is > usually down to > the mounting plate. I have seen such connectors mounted on > insulating plates, > to separate the signal and safety grounds. Problem: The connector is exposed metal and ALSO would have to be grounded. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <001801c63b38$3498e300$6401a8c0 [at] amd2200> From: "Idaho Scenic and Rigging" References: Subject: Re: Rant (was: Hanging Choir Mics & Snow, Exit, Safety) Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 17:53:20 -0700 > 'Cause people, in general, are cheap, lazy, stupid bastards. > Everyone was thinking it, I just said (emailed) it out loud. > Chris "Chris" Babbie Well, I certainly feel better. Robert Riddle Will Disagree for the Sake of Discussion Will Discuss for the Sake of Learning ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 20:13:51 -0500 Subject: Re: Express (Was: Designers and consultants - A RANT!) From: Bruce Purdy Message-ID: In-Reply-To: I wrote: > Since I got my Express, I love it. My biggest complaint however, is that you > can only view the patch by dimmer - not by channel. To which Steve Bailey replied: > Maybe I'm missing something or doing something different without realizing it, > but when I display Patch on Express, I see a left column in Ch order, and a > right screen area with every dimmer patched to each channel. Is my face red! You are completely right, and I miss-spoke. I miss-remembered the problem, and reversed it in my mind. In fact you do indeed see everything listed by channel. My problem is that there are times I'd rather see it by dimmer. "Which channel was it that controls that special? On the Colortran board I had used for a while before getting my ETC, you have an option that allows you to toggle between viewing by dimmer or by channel. On the Express, you can apparently view only by channel. (Not only by dimmer as I had said) My point remains, that this limitation is one of the few complaints I have about the Express - for the most part I love it. Sorry about the confusion. Bruce -- Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 20:37:40 -0500 (EST) From: Stephen Litterst Subject: Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! In-reply-to: Message-id: <2080.172.139.174.85.1141004260.squirrel [at] 172.139.174.85> References:

> --------------------------------------------------- and if > an > untrained person can't just sit down for the first time and figure out how > to run it in manual then it's too much of a board for this type of an > installation. Especially if there isn't anyone on staff responsible for > dealing with it. But this isn't the fault of the Strand Console. This is the fault of the venue for not having trained personnel, and the fault of the consultant/architect for over-spec'ing the equipment. A similar problem would exist with the Express line. When I bought an Express 24/48 for our Studio theatre I had similar problems getting it to run as a 2-scene preset. And I have similar experience to Bruce as far as lighting consoles go. I go out of my way when I teach consoles not to teach my students how to use the specific brand of console, but how to sit down at any console and identify the various "tiles" of keys and what they do. We'll see if it helps them in the "real" world, but around here they can float back and forth from the Obsession II to the Strand 300 with minimal difficulty. The only real challenge for all of us is translating ETC's "follow" command to Strand's "wait." Steve L. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 20:50:35 -0500 (EST) From: Stephen Litterst Subject: Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! In-reply-to: Message-id: <2206.172.139.174.85.1141005035.squirrel [at] 172.139.174.85> References:

> --------------------------------------------------- > I really didn't have anyone helping me out, > no manual, no nothing. Just sat down and goofed. Granted, I can't even > recall what model it was, but I do know it was nothing like any of the > newer stuff (500 series and the like). That's the secret to any board. Having the courage to sit down and start hitting buttons. It's so much more fun to teach a student who has the courage to try stuff than the ones who are scared to touch the console in case they break something. Steve L. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 21:04:30 -0500 (EST) From: Stephen Litterst Subject: Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! In-reply-to: Message-id: <2321.172.139.174.85.1141005870.squirrel [at] 172.139.174.85> References: > --------------------------------------------------- >> But seriously, I have a 300, have taught myself most of its features and >> have gone to programming seminars to learn the ones I couldn't figure >> out. > > But, equally seriously, you shouldn't have to do this. When we got our > ARRI, > I skimmed through the manual, to see what it was capable of doing, and > then > used it. If I wanted to do something more complicated, I got out the > manual and > looked up the specific topic. So I may have left out a step when I said I taught myself. I did read the manual, cover-to-cover, to learn the higher functions. I practice on the console to make myself more familiar not only with how to run the board, but with the most common mistakes, so when a student designer or operator has a problem, I'm usually aware of the keystrokes that have gotten them into trouble and how to undo it. I go to programming seminars sponsored by Strand to learn new and better ways to apply the higher functions of the board and some of the undocumented "shortcuts" that the software engineers don't think to put in the manual. At the seminars I pay as much attention to how the leader is teaching as I do to what he is teaching, to help myself pass on the information when I return to work. But I was lazy (and a bit arrogant) in my last post and just typed "I taught myself most of its features." Steve L. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 21:25:57 -0500 (EST) From: Stephen Litterst Subject: Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! In-reply-to: Message-id: <2641.172.139.174.85.1141007157.squirrel [at] 172.139.174.85> References:

> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > >>> The two thinks I don't like are 1) that they don't have any built in >>> effects, such as chases, flicker etc and 2) there isn't any way to >>> program >>> an effect into a cue. >> >> Cue 'x' FX 'y' ENTER. > > The Bijou does not have an FX key. I'm sorry. I thought we were talking about Strand consoles. Isn't the Bijou an EDI board? Sorry, don't know much about those. Steve L. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <44026AC3.6080401 [at] cybercom.net> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 21:58:11 -0500 From: Dale Farmer Organization: I'm working on that.... Subject: Re: circuit breaker References:

In-Reply-To: Dale Shirk wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > Dale Farmer wrote: > >> Okay. Lets do a risk analysis then. >> What are the failure modes? ..... >> Next is a contact between the hot lead and the metallic casing of the >> lamp. Well, if the casing is metallic, then US code requires that the >> casing be connected to the grounded or the grounding conductor, thus >> this reduces to the short circuit case I first described. > > > I gotta step out of lurk mode to take exception here. In no case are > exposed metallic parts ever allowed to connect to the neutral ("grounded > conductor"). In the case of metallic parts being connected to the > grounding conductor (ground), the branch circuit fuse or circuit breaker > will blow. However there are a significant number of exceptions where > two conductor cords (hot, neutral, no ground) can be used on things like > lamps, small appliances, hifi gear and the like. There are a stringent > set of rules, including insulation type, maximum leakage current > (0.75ma), and a host of other requirements, but the fact remains, we > have a lot of electrical items with 2-wire plugs and exposed metallic > parts. > Currently. there are still a lot of old lamps out there where the neutral conductor is connected to the metallic parts of the lamp or whatever. UL changed that requirement in the 60s or 70s, IIRC. I recall the day I went through my grandmothers house and changed all the plugs on the lamps after she was shocked while vacuuming. The law now is double insulated or the shell is grounded to safety ground. I was doing some work last year in a place that still had all original wirings from the 1930s. No third wire in an outlet anywhere in the house. The fellow wanted his hum problem in his home recording studio setup fixed. Once I realized what he had, I stopped there and told him he needed way more than I was licensed to do. --Dale ------------------------------ Message-ID: <44026CC6.5090407 [at] cybercom.net> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 22:06:46 -0500 From: Dale Farmer Organization: I'm working on that.... Subject: Re: circuit breaker References: In-Reply-To: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > In a message dated 26/02/06 02:39:33 GMT Standard Time, dale [at] cybercom.net > writes: > >> What are the failure modes? Boiling them down: >> First is a dead short between the two current carrying leads. Yup, >> breaker trips after a fraction of a second. No problem now. >> Next is a contact between the neutral and the metal case of the lamp. >> Neutral is at or close to ground potential, so no significant hazard >> absent another complicating problem. No biggie. >> Next is a contact between the hot lead and the metallic casing of the >> lamp. Well, if the casing is metallic, then US code requires that the >> casing be connected to the grounded or the grounding conductor, thus >> this reduces to the short circuit case I first described. No problem >> once the breaker or fuse pops after a fraction of a second. >> The wiring in US table lamps are designed to safely withstand that 20 >> amp current flow for rather longer than the fraction of a second that it >> takes for a fuse or breaker to pop. > > There's one more: sustained overload. This is the one that sets things on > fire. While hard to do with a table lamp, although possible, it's quite easy for > it to happed in electronic equipment and in hair dryers. Even in a table lamp, > the combination of a live-to-case fault and an imperfect grounding connection > to the case can manage it. Too much current for the cable: not enough to trip > the breaker quickly. > Then it is no longer a 60 watt table lamp. But current US gear has fat enough cables in it to withstand the heating of a sustained overload. They are, in fact, matched to the trip characteristics of typical breakers. > Circuit protection needs study, case by case. Fuses and breakers have > overcurrent against time characteristics. As an example, I was once testing a 2KW > HMI. THis was in a temporary lab, the real one being rebuilt, and between the > outlet and the lamp were three four-way extensions, each having a fuse both in > the connector and the 4-way, plus the fuse in the lamp connector and an internal > fuse in the power supply. These have a complicated start sequence, the second > stage of which had been mis-wired to apply a full line-to-neutral short. This > took out the fuse in the power supply, the 40A breaker feeding the lab, and > the 60A breaker behind that. The seven intermediate fuses were all intact, as > the rest of the protection was too quick for them. > Yup, weird shit still happens. Thats the difference between book engineering and the real world. > But, in general, protection devices will take a slight overload for some > time, decreasing as the overload rises. Do not forget the magnitude of a full > short circuit current, either. These are limited only by the wiring impedances, > and can be many thousands of amps. Quite enough to blow apart a poorly made > connection with a short arc, which can also ignite things. > AS I said, the cables are matched to the breakers trip characteristics. > It is important, in a TV studio, that one failure does not blow the whole > works. One comms amp going down should not take out the whole sound desk, nor > even the whole comms system. This is known as 'discrimination', and needs careful > selection of fuses and breakers. > But this is not a studio, this is for a theater. Different rules apply under the US NEC. Whole chapters of them. --Dale ------------------------------ Subject: RE: Designers and consultants - A RANT! Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 22:11:56 -0500 Message-ID: From: "Fitch, Tracy" I've used many consoles over time and I confess my initial negative impression of my current strand i530 has been moderated some but my big complaint isn't going away until there is a software redesign. =20 I'm normally a guy who likes configurability (I'm that weirdo who rewrites his newsreader software because he wants to "change just a couple of things") but the current software is way too configurable in some ways and not configurable enough in others. I've got two 530 main consoles and one 530 remote console in my building. Why is it that using the built-in interface options, my lighting people have the two identical consoles operating so differently that there is an adjustment period to going from one space to the other? Yet, I have to edit a text file after dropping to dos in order to reconfigure the remote console to talk to the other main console? Oh yes, and who decided to put "Advanced Setup" on a softkey off of the "Report" screen rather than off of the "Setup" screen?=20 --Tracy S. Fitch =20 SS wrote: > I can never figure out why so many people seem to have=20 > vendettas against Strands.=20 >=20 > What's all the beef about? :) ------------------------------ Message-ID: <44027045.40401 [at] cybercom.net> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 22:21:41 -0500 From: Dale Farmer Organization: I'm working on that.... Subject: Re: circuit breaker References: In-Reply-To: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com wrote: > For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see > --------------------------------------------------- > > In a message dated 26/02/06 18:08:38 GMT Standard Time, > stagecraft02 [at] DesignRelief.com writes: > >> There are multiple ways to approach the problem. I believe most electrical >> fires are not the result of a failure in the 60W lamp, rather other parts >> of the system where a fuses in the lamp power supply cord would not have >> done anything, > > Such as? > > Frank Wood > > > Putting on my former firefighter hat. Just the ones that I have seen. Bad connections inside the wall boxes. More common with aluminum wiring. Overheating inside the walls starting a hidden fire. Rodent damage: Mice/rats chewing on wires, reducing the cross section in that spot inside the wall, again leading to overheating. One case they think was caused by rats choosing a particular outlet box as a latrine. Rat feces and urine created a big fuel load and insulation around a junction box that was carrying a full load. Squirrels. They chew on wires and cause problems. Sometimes the squirrel turns into a furry fuse that shorts out a transformer. Bad electrical repairs, some done by unlicensed people, some done by licensed electricians. Corroded wiring/panel in a moist basement. Breakers were so corroded that they would not trip, The neutral had come disconnected from the incoming feed as well, so the voltage available at a given outlet was jumping all over the place. Not an actual fire, just smoke coming from the refrigerator motor that was burned out. We pulled the meter and called an electrician for them. --Dale ------------------------------ Message-ID: <440271E7.7050002 [at] cybercom.net> Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 22:28:39 -0500 From: Dale Farmer Organization: I'm working on that.... Subject: Olympics closing ceremony. Not the huge production spectacular that the opening was, but very nice so far. The Canadian presentation was really well done. Fireworks are always nice too. Now we have seen another reason why we want to have two microphones on a lectern. When an intruder gets in and snatches one to try and make some form of statement. --Dale ------------------------------ In-Reply-To: References: Message-Id: From: Brian Aldous Subject: Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 22:36:51 -0500 been interesting following this thread. Bill Conner's point about this being like the mac/pc argument is well taken. Started the computer control part of my life with Kliegl boards (gold cue, anyone?), then Strand Pallettes, then ETC boards. As far as I was concerned, Strand dropped the ball back in the late 80's / early 90's on service & reliability. Let us all recall that if they could afford it theatres using the full Pallette and even the later LP90 had 2 boards - one as backup ready to go when the first froze. I experienced the sad usefulness of this at the Joyce with the Pallette and CTC in Minneapolis with the LP90. That said, my favorite mid-sized board remains, to this day, the mini-Light Pallette. I kept hauling mine around to theatres and only gave up when I could no longer get reliable low-density discs for the 5 1/2 " drive. Where etc got it right was by making every board an extension of others - if you learned on a Vision, you can program an Expression 3 immediately, discovering new functions as you go along. (the exception being, of course, the Obsession, ETC's homage to the Pallette). My years of experience on the Pallette, mlp and even the maligned Lightboard M is, however, of little use to me when dropped in front of a 300 or 500 series Strand board. Obviously, these are powerful machines for those who have time to learn to use them... But in our business, few people have that time. When I have been in a venue where they have a full-time op who has done a couple of years of shows on the board, fine, great, I love your Strand 300 or whatever. I honestly don't care what kind of board is in the booth, as long as I get the looks I need onstage quickly - I cannot tolerate my dancers (or even actors) standing around while someone guesses what key does what. On the other hand, if I am in a school where as guest designer I am expected to break in the freshmen operator, I want to be able to recite the keystrokes over headset if needed and have a lot of handles for them to grab. Hence my speccing Express 48/96 or 72/144 consoles for such places. BA PS. Those with trouble running effects on an express (admittedly not their long suit) should think creatively about linking a cue to a macro which bumps a sub button or the CD fader. Macros can be surprisingly handy. Brian Aldous Lighting Design brian [at] tany.com On Feb 26, 2006, at 6:00 AM, Stagecraft wrote: ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 23:52:12 -0500 Subject: Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! From: Bruce Purdy Message-ID: In-Reply-To: Stephen Litterst wrote: > But this isn't the fault of the Strand Console. This is the fault of the > venue for not having trained personnel, and the fault of the > consultant/architect for over-spec'ing the equipment. Which was exactly the point I was making! I never said Strand was a bad board, but that it was too much board for this installation. Bruce -- Bruce Purdy Technical Director Smith Opera House ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1089.208.51.52.104.1141021515.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 22:25:15 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Traveler track floor pulley From: "Bill Nelson" > Have you tried using a Detachable Floor Block Kit? It's a steel plate you > rout flush with, and screw into your floor, where it lives for the rest of > it's life. The 7 ga. steel plate has two keyhole slots cut into it that > accept bolts that are attaced to the convenient holes in your floor block. > Cheap, easy, and doesn't weigh anything. That is what the new local high school installed on their upstage traveler. Except the plate had holes for stage screws that screwed into plugs to hold the lower block in place. A pocket was sewn on the back of the SR panel of the traveler to allow storage of the block assembly and two screws when flying the traveler out. It is fast and easy. No routing needed for a plate - just two holes drilled in the deck for the screw plugs. Bill ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1149.208.51.52.104.1141024685.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 23:18:05 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Designers and consultants - A RANT! From: "Bill Nelson" > I'm sorry. I thought we were talking about Strand consoles. Isn't the > Bijou an EDI board? Sorry, don't know much about those. Yes, it is EDI. It does a fairly basic programmable board, a 24/48 with two DMX universes sells for about $2500 or so. Because it is so easy to learn all the boards features, it is good for schools where students may not get a lot of hands on programming experience. But to handle wiggle lights, it is best to purchase a Control Freak accessory module, which makes the task much easier. Bill ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1235.208.51.52.104.1141025497.squirrel [at] webmail.peak.org> In-Reply-To: References:

Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 23:31:37 -0800 (PST) Subject: Diversitronics SCM-64Q DMX Strobe Cannon From: "Bill Nelson" For a play that is taking stage in a couple of weeks, we need to simulate an intense lightning flash. One option I am exploring is the Diversitronics SCM-64Q DMX Strobe Cannon. Has anyone had experience with this device? Bill ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest #707 *****************************