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For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
---------------------------------------------------

Stagecraft Digest, Issue #255

 1. Re: Theatre renovation/equipment
    by Bruce Purdy <bpurdy [at] rochester.rr.com>
 2. Re: Impressionable Young Minds
    by Al Fitch <fitchal [at] yahoo.com>
 3. Re: Theater wiring suggestions
    by Eddie Kramer <ESKramer [at] earthlink.net>
 4. Re: Impressionable Young Minds
    by MissWisc [at] aol.com
 5. Re: Mimes
    by "Paul Guncheon" <paul.guncheon [at] verizon.net>
 6. Re: Sound Board Maintenance
    by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com
 7. Re: Theatre renovation/equipment
    by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com
 8. 'Wicked' trap malfunction...
    by Brad Spachman <bspachman [at] att.net>
 9. Re: Theater wiring suggestions
    by Greg Persinger <gregpersin [at] comcast.net>
10. Re: Queen 1982 tour
    by Greg Persinger <gregpersin [at] comcast.net>
11. Re: Theatre renovation/equipment
    by "Fitch, Tracy" <tfitch [at] email.uncc.edu>
12. Re: Theater wiring suggestions / NEC
    by Mitch Hefter <mitch.hefter [at] DesignRelief.com>
13. Re: Impressionable Young Minds
    by "Waxler, Steve (waxlers)" <WAXLERS [at] UCMAIL.UC.EDU>
14. Re: dedicated elec's vs. multi-drop
    by "Fitch, Tracy" <tfitch [at] email.uncc.edu>
15. Re: Theatre renovation/equipment
    by "Fitch, Tracy" <tfitch [at] email.uncc.edu>
16. Re: Theater wiring suggestions / NEC
    by FrankWood95 [at] aol.com
17. Re: Theatre renovation/equipment
    by Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
18. Re: Sound Board Maintenance
    by Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
19. Strand 300 help, please.
    by "Tony" <deeming.tony [at] btinternet.com>
20. Re: Sound Board Maintenance
    by Dale Farmer <dale [at] cybercom.net>
21. Re: Theater wiring suggestions / NEC
    by Michael Feinberg <michaelf [at] joyce.eng.yale.edu>
22. ETC Sensor phase output distribution information
    by LoftLight [at] aol.com
23. Pigtail length
    by "Dougherty, Jim" <jdougher [at] middlebury.edu>
24. Re: Volunteering in Tucson
    by CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
25. Re: Theatre renovation/equipment
    by CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
26. Re: Theatre Rentals?
    by CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
27. Re: ETC Sensor phase output distribution information
    by Greg Persinger <gregpersin [at] comcast.net>
28. Re: Sound Board Maintenance
    by "Tony" <deeming.tony [at] btinternet.com>

*** 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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 08:09:19 -0500
Subject: Re: Theatre renovation/equipment
From: Bruce Purdy <bpurdy [at] rochester.rr.com>
Message-ID: <BE06972E.4CDC%bpurdy [at] rochester.rr.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-13104406 [at] prxy.net>

> Frank is referring to a different site:
> 
> http://photobucket.com/albums/v79/frankwood/
> 
> Nigel Worsley

Thank you! No problem with that site. The link in Frank's post had me
confused.

Bruce
-- 
Bruce Purdy
Technical Director
Smith Opera House



------------------------------

Message-ID: <20050109142900.91695.qmail [at] web51403.mail.yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 06:29:00 -0800 (PST)
From: Al Fitch <fitchal [at] yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Impressionable Young Minds
In-Reply-To: <list-13104406 [at] prxy.net>

B] Anyone working in academia -  Be aware of
co-workers in your 
department
(or other departments for that matter) that have a
poor attitude and 
try to
do something about it. I'm certainly not advocating a
"Homeland 
insecurity -
spy on your neighbour" approach, but talk with them or
something. Don't 
let
them have a detrimental effect on impressionable young
minds!

Bruce
-- 
Bruce Purdy
Technical Director
Smith Opera House


I'm not sure how to correctly quote and respond but I
am responding to Bruce's post partially copied above.

I was happy to read Bruce's take on being a
generalist.  I thought that there was something wrong
with the way I have been doing theatre for years
(always doing something different not sticking to one
thing, a generalist).  I find myself in a position
that is not challenging enough for me and am looking
for a change.  That prompted me to rejoin the list to
get ideas, spark my interest etc.  

When i work with students who have an interest in what
they are doing it is exciting and engaging for me. 
However, I don't encourage them to pursue theatre
because of the doubt I am having at this time.  

After reading Bruce's post, I will be more likely to
talk with those interested students about working in
theatre.  So far nobody has discussed wanting to work
in theatre as a career in the 5 years I have been
here.

Al Fitch
Westchester Community College
Senior Technician (Yeah, that title)

=====
Be Kind, Smile and Have Fun.


		
__________________________________ 
Do you Yahoo!? 
Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Get it on your mobile phone. 
http://mobile.yahoo.com/maildemo 

------------------------------

Message-Id: <p06200700be070b79e717 [at] [172.16.1.33]>
In-Reply-To: <list-13089214 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-13089214 [at] prxy.net>
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 11:31:02 -0500
From: Eddie Kramer <ESKramer [at] earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: Theater wiring suggestions

<!doctype html public "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN">
<html><head><style type="text/css"><!--
blockquote, dl, ul, ol, li { padding-top: 0 ; padding-bottom: 0 }
 --></style><title>Re: Theater wiring suggestions</title></head><body>
<div>On&nbsp;&nbsp; 1/9/05&nbsp;&nbsp; Mick Alderson&nbsp;&nbsp;
sent:</div>
<div><br></div>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>I'm not bothering to check my NEC book,
but isn't there something in there which says that fan-outs/breakouts
cannot be longer than 3 meters/ 10 feet?</blockquote>
<div><br></div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Its 6 Meters / 20 feet See NEC 520(A)(4)(2) below;</div>
<div><br></div>
<div><br></div>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Geneva"><b>***<br>
&gt;NEC 520.68 Conductors for Portables.<br>
&gt;NEC (A) Conductor Type.</b><br>
&gt;NEC<b> (4) Breakouts.</b> Listed, hard usage (junior hard
service)<br>
&gt;NEC cords shall be permitted in breakout assemblies where all of
the<br>
&gt;NEC following conditions are met:<br>
&gt;NEC (1) The cords are utilized to connect between a single
multipole<br>
&gt;NEC connector containing two or more branch circuits and
multiple<br>
&gt;NEC 2-pole, 3-wire connectors.<br>
&gt;NEC (2) The longest cord in the breakout assembly does not exceed
6.0 m<br>
&gt;NEC (20 ft).<br>
&gt;NEC (3) The breakout assembly is protected from physical damage
by<br>
&gt;NEC attachment over its entire length to a pipe, truss, tower,
scaffold,<br>
&gt;NEC or other substantial support structure.<br>
&gt;NEC (4) All branch circuits feeding the breakout assembly are
protected<br>
&gt;NEC by overcurrent devices rated at not over 20
amperes.</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font
face="Geneva">***</font></blockquote>
<div><font face="Geneva"><br></font></div>
<div>The 2005 NEC is out time to get a copy</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Eddie</div>
<div><br></div>
<x-sigsep><pre>-- 
</pre></x-sigsep>
<div>--------------------<br>
Eddie Kramer&nbsp; IATSE #1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Member NEC Panel
15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</div>
</body>
</html>

------------------------------

From: MissWisc [at] aol.com
Message-ID: <89.1de6052e.2f12c2f8 [at] aol.com>
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 12:25:12 EST
Subject: Re: Impressionable Young Minds

In a message dated 1/9/5 8:29:39 AM, fitchal [at] yahoo.com writes:
<< When i work with students who have an interest in what they are doing it 
is exciting and engaging for me.  However, I don't encourage them to pursue 
theatre because of the doubt I am having at this time.   >>

We think we tell kids "don't do X" for their own good, not considering that 
perhaps the kid SHOULD do exactly X. The fact you're not happy in a certain 
position, doesn't automatically mean everyone won't be happy there. 

Do share with them the reasons for your doubts. Kids need an honest picture 
of what they are getting into. This is not an easy industry. Some days are 
wonderful, others stink. There are many yucky gigs. There are also some amazing 
opportunities and one of them is to take a yucky gig and literately make it a 
work of art. 

How many of us wanted to do X career or Y task until someone rained on our 
parade? As children we wanted to fly to Mars, travel around the world on our 
personal yacht, earn a million dollars, write a Broadway play, discover a cure 
for cancer, or whatever. Then some well intended but ill informed adult told us 
to "Get a real job so you can pay your bills. You can't do that. You're not 
(pick one: smart enough, rich enough, pretty enough) to make that happen. Who 
ever put that fool idea in your head anyway!" 

We give up those dreams and spend the rest of our lives wondering "what if?" 
How many dreams have we lost because ONE person told us it's not possible? 

Al - Help those students to make those dreams come true. Wanting to isn't 
enough, they need the skills and the support to make it happen. 

Someone will be the first person to fly to Mars. Several people travel around 
the world in a personal yacht each year. Many people are millionaires. A 
handfull of people are writing the plays that open on Broadway each year. And my 
friend Tom R. is one of many working on cures for cancer. Who are we to say 
"no"?

Kristi

------------------------------

Message-ID: <000d01c4f678$a9e608f0$0202a8c0 [at] MyLastPC>
From: "Paul Guncheon" <paul.guncheon [at] verizon.net>
References: <list-13104406 [at] prxy.net>
Subject: Re: Mimes
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 08:25:56 -1000

<<Nothing worse than very well lit mimes..

Oh, there is. Badly lit mimes!>>


STOP IT... STOP IT!!!

Mimes killed and ate my father.


No wait... it might have been clowns.

Sorry,

Paul

"This is where I get the milk from my cow" Tom uttered.

------------------------------

From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com
Message-ID: <83.1e9f9468.2f12da9d [at] aol.com>
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 14:06:05 EST
Subject: Re: Sound Board Maintenance

In a message dated 09/01/05 04:24:55 GMT Standard Time, 
jonathand01 [at] sbcglobal.net writes:

> > Me, I have several rolls of 60/40 solder, and will continue to use them.
>  
>  Frank, Why not use the best solder (63/37) for sensitive electronics ?

Principally, because it's what I can buy readily. And, provided that the 
joint is properly made, wetting both components, I find it hard to beliebe that a 
3% change in the composition will have any effect. 60/40 is pretty near the 
eutectic.

Other alloys are around. Plumber's solder has a higher melting point, and 
passes though a pasty stage while setting, allowing the making if the neat wiped 
joints used with old-fashioned lead pipes: somewhere I have a reel of 
high-tmperature solder for use on components whose leads are likely to get hot, such 
as power resistors. For greater reliability, Tektronix used to use silver and 
ceramic tag strips, and supplied a special solder with a silver content for use 
on them. But I am sure that 99% of joints are made with the standard 60/40 
alloy. Being the euctectic, near enough, it has the lowest melting point of the 
tin/lead alloys, subjecting the components to the minimum of heating, and 
passes quickly from liquid to solid.


Frank Wood

------------------------------

From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com
Message-ID: <27.69483470.2f12dd07 [at] aol.com>
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 14:16:23 EST
Subject: Re: Theatre renovation/equipment

In a message dated 09/01/05 13:10:02 GMT Standard Time, 
bpurdy [at] rochester.rr.com writes:

> > Frank is referring to a different site:
>  > 
>  > http://photobucket.com/albums/v79/frankwood/
>  > 
>  > Nigel Worsley
>  
>  Thank you! No problem with that site. The link in Frank's post had me
>  confused.

Sorry for that. But they have me confused, too. My password has been changed 
without any action on my part. Not only that, but they told me what my 
password now is in an open e-mail. I think that their site security needs overhauled. 
I don't want my part of their site to be a host for pornography. Heaven 
knows, there's enough of it around already.


Frank Wood

------------------------------

Message-Id: <a06200707be07365f110d [at] [192.168.123.103]>
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 13:29:23 -0600
From: Brad Spachman <bspachman [at] att.net>
Subject: 'Wicked' trap malfunction...

Any further details?

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/90501.html
http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=1934

Best,
brad
-- 
Brad Spachman
bspachman [at] att.net

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:31:30 -0600
Subject: Re: Theater wiring suggestions
From: Greg Persinger <gregpersin [at] comcast.net>
Message-ID: <BE06E2B2.90BE%gregpersin [at] comcast.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-13089214 [at] prxy.net>

Mick Alderson Wrote:

> As I recall, 
> this is because a multi-cable fanout is about the only place on stage
> that SJ cable is allowed (because you can't shove six SO cables into a
> soco strain relief)

LKS makes a Soco compatible connector that will accept SO for breakouts if
you need it. The connector is specifically made for breakouts and is
different than the one made for cables.


Greg Persinger
Vivid Illumination

Greg [at] Vividillumination.com





------------------------------

Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 13:49:29 -0600
Subject: Re: Queen 1982 tour
From: Greg Persinger <gregpersin [at] comcast.net>
Message-ID: <BE06E6E9.90C2%gregpersin [at] comcast.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-13059917 [at] prxy.net>

Ben,

Check out this link.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/main.asp?qu=queen&find=Search&webtag=lightn
etwork&ctx=search&cl=14703&af=31&o=relevance&be=0


Greg Persinger
Vivid Illumination

Greg [at] Vividillumination.com



------------------------------

Subject: RE: Theatre renovation/equipment
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 16:23:59 -0500
Message-ID: <A01ABA2A211C644596549C5FF91C50E4280550 [at] EXEVS02.its.uncc.edu>
From: "Fitch, Tracy" <tfitch [at] email.uncc.edu>

I forgot to respond to the legs/borders quandary.  I don't believe
anyone has suggested the method we used which seems to have given us an
appropriate number.

Take a ground plan of the space and draw the masking layout for legs of
whatever width you expect.  (probably something close to the length of
your battens offstage of the proscenium edge--my new ones are 12'-9"
each if that helps).  Using the extreme House Right sideline, place the
first leg so the offstage edge is just masked by the proscenium onstage
edge.  Then repeat that process all the way back to where the cyc will
probably live.

However many legs you had to draw to get masked all the way back, that's
the number of full-stage borders you need.  Now double that number and
you have the number of legs you need to mask the wings.  After that I
would add enough additional legs to create two full-stage blacks (one
mid-stage, one upstage in a typical quick setup environment).  Making
them the same size as the legs gives you additional flexibility to do
inventive things and keeps you from having to maintain two separate
inventories.

--
Tracy S. Fitch
Faculty TD, UNC Charlotte Dance & Theatre
LD, Everywhere Else

------------------------------

Message-Id: <6.1.0.6.2.20050109160645.02095a78 [at] mail.DesignRelief.com>
Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 16:19:02 -0600
From: Mitch Hefter <mitch.hefter [at] DesignRelief.com>
Subject: Re: Theater wiring suggestions / NEC
In-Reply-To: <list-13104406 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-13104406 [at] prxy.net>

Mick Alderson wrote:
>Jim Doherty wrote:
> > One last note - if you have pigtails, plan for them to be long enough from
> > the start to reach your lights where you think you will want them to 
> be.  We
> > have a studio theater where we added lighting positions below the ones the
> > architect gave us (in order to put lights where we needed them), and needed
> > to replace all of our pigtails with longer ones to avoid having to buy and
> > run extra cable for every show.
>
>I'm reading this very late at night, so I'm not bothering to check my
>NEC book, but isn't there something in there which says that
>fan-outs/breakouts cannot be longer than 3 meters/ 10 feet? As I recall,
>this is because a multi-cable fanout is about the only place on stage
>that SJ cable is allowed (because you can't shove six SO cables into a
>soco strain relief), but the Code limits the length of the pigtails to
>make you go to the approved S or SO cable ASAP.

The short summary from the 2002 NEC (unchanged in 2005) - Sections 520.68 & 
520.69:
Fan Outs/ Breakouts are limited to 6' Max under certain restrictions, 
including physical protection by attachment over its entire length.  Junior 
hard service cord such as SJ is permitted when applied under all the 
restrictions.

Hi-temp leads with sleeving (i.e, luminaire power cords) - not to exceed 1 
meter (3.3 feet).  UL says between 3 feet and 1 meter.

Adapters/Twofers: 1 meter (3.3 feet).  Junior hard service cord such as SJ 
is permitted when applied under all the restrictions.

READ the Code before doing any of this - the above summary just gets you 
headed the right direction.


. . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mitch Hefter   mitch.hefter  [at]  DesignRelief.com
Member NEC Panel 15

Office:  Entertainment Technology / a Division of the Genlyte Group
         mhefter  [at]  genlyte.com
+1-214/ 647-7880 x 7967     (Direct Line 214/ 647-7967)
+1-214/ 647-4738 Fax
http://www.etdimming.com
http://www.lolcontrols.com
http://www.vari-lite.com
http://www.genlyte.com



------------------------------

Message-ID: <886EF25AF8BEF64EB89A820EF84064FF0B65F43E [at] UCMAIL4>
From: "Waxler, Steve (waxlers)" <WAXLERS [at] UCMAIL.UC.EDU>
Subject: RE: Impressionable Young Minds
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 17:27:57 -0500 

The quote below is paraphrased from a horse magazine and where it refers to
being a cowboy I think we could substitute "Theater Practitioner".  

"It is easy to slip into a black hole where you forget how lucky you are.  I
remind myself that there are millions of people who'd like to trade places
with any cowboy (READ DESIGNER/TECHNICIAN) who get to ride a horse and be
out side all day healthy (WELL, SO MUCH FOR THE PARALLEL, YOU CAN FILL IN
ANY OF THE GOOD AND WONDERFUL THINGS THAT KEEP YOU IN THIS BUSINESS) and
happy.  I remind myself that I'm not forced to do what I do.  I have a good
education and could do other things, but this is what I'm best at and what I
love.  And as long as I remember that even on the worst days, I can stay up
beat."  

Like the man said, nobody is making you do this.  If you are not happy
change, but don't discourage those that might find a world for themselves in
theater. 

Steve Waxler
Technical Director
College Conservatory of Music
University of Cincinnati

-----Original Message-----
From: Al Fitch [mailto:fitchal [at] yahoo.com] 
Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2005 9:29 AM
To: Stagecraft
Subject: Re: Impressionable Young Minds

For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
---------------------------------------------------

B] Anyone working in academia -  Be aware of
co-workers in your 
department
(or other departments for that matter) that have a
poor attitude and 
try to
do something about it. I'm certainly not advocating a
"Homeland 
insecurity -
spy on your neighbour" approach, but talk with them or
something. Don't 
let
them have a detrimental effect on impressionable young
minds!

Bruce
-- 
Bruce Purdy
Technical Director
Smith Opera House


 

------------------------------

Subject: RE: dedicated elec's vs. multi-drop
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 17:44:39 -0500
Message-ID: <A01ABA2A211C644596549C5FF91C50E4280552 [at] EXEVS02.its.uncc.edu>
From: "Fitch, Tracy" <tfitch [at] email.uncc.edu>
Cc: bill-conner [at] att.net (Bill Conner)

Steven Hood posts:  "I haven't seen a facility that has side tabs that
uses the multi-drop set-up, and I'm assuming it because no one's figured
out how to make the two sets of cable drops wrap around each other in
any satisfactory way... Anyone seen it work anywhere?"

I can tell you it doesn't work in my facility even though the socapexes
drop from the grid.  It is close to functional and some of the existing
difficulties are probably more the 1st rigging setup than anything so I
think I can see how it might work. =20
1) The actual placement where the socapexes are going to drop through
should be just onstage of the plane of the tab curtain.
2) The loft blocks for the cable picks should probably be about 1/2 way
between the drop and the end of the batten.  This gets tough since there
often isn't much space here.  You need to make sure you've got at least
enough space for the multi to make the curve at the top of the lifted
hump.
3) The tabs have to be able to get out of the way so you can manage the
drops.  This sounds elementary, but in my new setup the tabs are rigged
to a pinrail rather than counterweights, they're two parts instead of
one, and they don't really clear out of the way below the handrail on
the flyrail so you can see what you're doing.  I would suggest some sort
of tripping mechanism to make sure you can keep the view unobstructed.


Bill Conner posts:  ". . . I prefer drop boxes and wall boxes or pockets
instead of floor pockets.  I really don't like anything in the floor if
possible for the flexibility and for rolling things (orchestra shell
towers, things with air casters, pianos) as well as dancers feet.  And
those little holes will admit the spiked heel of a major donor and
result in breaking her leg - very unpleasant. "

I'm with Bill on this.  I'd suggest wall boxes accessible in all four
corners (and probably up center) as well as through any traps.  (that
also means putting circuits in the cyc pit if you've got one.)

--
Tracy S. Fitch
TD, UNC Charlotte Dance & Theatre
LD, Everywhere Else


------------------------------

Subject: RE: Theatre renovation/equipment
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 16:11:46 -0500
Message-ID: <A01ABA2A211C644596549C5FF91C50E428054F [at] EXEVS02.its.uncc.edu>
From: "Fitch, Tracy" <tfitch [at] email.uncc.edu>

I sent this a couple of days ago but it bounced due the horrible new
exchange webmail client that speaks only html:

Allow me to dissent from the prevailing viewpoint on one front and give
a general comment on another:
=20
#1.  If you have good sized arms or broad shoulders, 6" centers is
abyssmal for getting into and out of the arbors as well as reaching the
offstage rope.  I have the rope burns on my forearms to prove it.  And
(at least with the arbors we have), it is possible to catch the pins
from the shackles on adjacent lines together if you pull the arbor off
the side the tiniest bit.  I don't recall ever having these problems
with 8" centers.  Of the 10+ experienced technicians who have handled my
new 6" centered system, all have expressed a preference for wider
spacing.
=20
#2.=20
- If you have tons of labor, by all means go with socapex drops for
maximum flexibility. =20
- If you have less, perhaps a mixture of a couple of dedicated electrics
(let's face it, there is almost always a first electric and it pretty
much lives as close as you can get it to the proscenium and keep it
masked; 8 times out of 10 there will be a cyc electric and the sheer
volume of cable and mult it takes to get a typical cyc elec up is a
gigantic PITA -- besides, why tie up a billion perfectly good two-fers
in a place permanently when you can have a cyc circuit strip
manufactured that has the outlets doubled at the right places?) and drop
boxes with some socapex drops for lighting booms or additional circuits
to a drop box or circuit strip line.
- If you have very little labor, designate as many electrics as possible
for circuit strips.  Tracking those drop boxes and mult and running all
that cable adds up to more crew people on every hang.  And more
maintenance labor to boot.


An additional reminder, don't forget in today's world you're also going
to want a data distribution system.  I'd recommend RJ-45 ethernet.  You
would also want hardwire 5-pin DMX if you own or might bring in any
equipment that uses pins 4&5.
=20
--
Tracy S. Fitch
Faculty Technical Director, UNCC=20
(in the brand new -- so new they're rebuilding my stage floor as I type
this -- Robinson Hall with linesets on 6" centers and socapex onstage
except for a 1st electric raceway.)

------------------------------

From: FrankWood95 [at] aol.com
Message-ID: <9e.1d7707fb.2f131a06 [at] aol.com>
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 18:36:38 EST
Subject: Re: Theater wiring suggestions / NEC

In a message dated 09/01/05 22:19:58 GMT Standard Time, 
mitch.hefter [at] DesignRelief.com writes:

> The short summary from the 2002 NEC (unchanged in 2005) - Sections 520.68 & 
>  520.69:
>  Fan Outs/ Breakouts are limited to 6' Max under certain restrictions, 
>  including physical protection by attachment over its entire length.  
Junior 
>  hard service cord such as SJ is permitted when applied under all the 
>  restrictions.
>  
>  Hi-temp leads with sleeving (i.e, luminaire power cords) - not to exceed 1 
>  meter (3.3 feet).  UL says between 3 feet and 1 meter.
>  
>  Adapters/Twofers: 1 meter (3.3 feet).  Junior hard service cord such as SJ 
>  is permitted when applied under all the restrictions.
>  
>  READ the Code before doing any of this - the above summary just gets you 
>  headed the right direction.

This all seems very restrictive, and there is another post around with 
conflicting advice, also quoting the Code, by chapter and verse.

It is both simpler and more complicated in the UK. Thee IEE rules only have 
advisory status, although a failure to conform to them would get you in a lot 
of bother in the case of an incident. But I have 60' cables hanging in my 
store. We seem to be more concerned by allowable voltage drops, in spite of our 
higher voltasge and lower currents.

Since we installed patch panels, such cables are seldom used. But for drops 
to booms, 30' is not unusual.


Frank Wood

------------------------------

Message-Id: <6.2.0.14.0.20050109154827.040e7d20 [at] localhost>
Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 15:52:18 -0800
From: Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
Subject: Re: Theatre renovation/equipment
In-Reply-To: <list-12982107 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-12982107 [at] prxy.net>

At 10:07 AM 1/8/2005, you wrote:
>In a message dated 07/01/05 23:31:04 GMT Standard Time,
>jdurand [at] interstellar.com writes:
>
> > Yep, and yet I have a spec from a client to design some audio gear with 
> "no
> >  detectable whine or tone at full volume with headphones on" (-80dB white
> >  noise ok).  Seems if I just matched the whine from a moving light, nobody
> >  would notice.  :)
> >
> >  Or is that :(
>
>I think that :( is most appropriate. This sounds to me like an ignorant
>client, and these are the most trouble of all!

He's a musician, so wants really good gear.  I much prefer the spec up 
front like this as opposed to another client I had.  The other client 
ordered a small pile custom DSP-based audio devices and specified 
"telephone quality audio".  On delivery, they refused to pay the balance 
due because there was a -72dB whine from the power supply.  I modified all 
the power supplies and got rid of it, but never did get paid.



----------
Jerry Durand
Durand Interstellar, Inc.
219 Oak Wood Way
Los Gatos, California 95032-2523  USA
tel:  +1 408 356-3886
fax:  +1 408 356-4659
web:  www.interstellar.com




------------------------------

Message-Id: <6.2.0.14.0.20050109155241.040e8240 [at] localhost>
Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 15:59:31 -0800
From: Jerry Durand <jdurand [at] interstellar.com>
Subject: Re: Sound Board Maintenance
In-Reply-To: <list-12983302 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-12983302 [at] prxy.net>

At 10:23 AM 1/8/2005, FrankWood95 [at] aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 07/01/05 23:40:44 GMT Standard Time,
>jdurand [at] interstellar.com writes:
>
> > And, with the new requirements for lead free (absolutely no detectable
> >  trace of lead whatsoever) products, the solder requires hotter
>temperatures
> >  and doesn't always wet as well.  Look for more problems in newer systems
> >  until the bugs get worked out of the soldering process.
>
>I've seen this before, and disbelieved it. By whom are these requirements
>published? How do you make a practicable solder without lead?

I think the UK requirements go into effect this spring or summer.

The solder I have is "CASTIN", here's the MSDS 
http://www.aimsolder.com/msds/MSDS_Alloy_CASTIN.pdf

IC manufacturers are starting to offer lead-free versions of chips.  This 
will NOT be cheap to implement.

As of 1 January, any purchase of a 4 in or greater CRT or LCD in California 
has a new recycling tax on it (except for appliances, some how they got 
exempted for now).

So while many countries still use leaded petrol and almost all autos have 
lead-acid batteries, you can feel safe knowing that new circuit boards will 
have NO lead at all in them (just don't ask about the impact of the fluxes, 
extra energy, etc. used to make them).


----------
Jerry Durand
Durand Interstellar, Inc.
219 Oak Wood Way
Los Gatos, California 95032-2523  USA
tel:  +1 408 356-3886
fax:  +1 408 356-4659
web:  www.interstellar.com




------------------------------

Message-ID: <003a01c4f6ae$76ca5350$0800000a [at] Tony>
From: "Tony" <deeming.tony [at] btinternet.com>
References: <list-13158411 [at] prxy.net>
Subject: Strand 300 help, please.
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2005 00:51:01 -0000

Got an unusual error on our 300 that I just can't get an answer to from the
manual.

Trying to load our Goldenscan profiles back onto the desk, but it won't let
me - comes back with the error report
"All Att Channels Used"
Which seems rather odd, as I have absolutely no fixtures loaded elsewhere
that use attributes, and have as an attempt to solve the problem, cleared
all atts anyway.

Not had this problem before, but I'm sure there's a simple explanation/cure,
though it so far escapes me!

Tonight was tech, tomorrow is dress, and I need to get these boys working
ASAP! They're not in a great number of cues, but enough to cause me a
problem if I can't get them running.

Any thoughts anyone?

If replying on Monday before 0900 (UK time) do so on e-mail or on-group,
otherwise I'd really appreciate a quick phone call.

Thanks, in advance

Tony
07732 364054



------------------------------

Message-ID: <41E1E33C.4BD749E4 [at] cybercom.net>
Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 21:06:52 -0500
From: Dale Farmer <dale [at] cybercom.net>
Subject: Re: Sound Board Maintenance
References: <list-13156389 [at] prxy.net>



FrankWood95 [at] aol.com wrote:

> For info, archives & UNSUBSCRIBE, see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> In a message dated 09/01/05 04:24:55 GMT Standard Time,
> jonathand01 [at] sbcglobal.net writes:
>
> > > Me, I have several rolls of 60/40 solder, and will continue to use them.
> >
> >  Frank, Why not use the best solder (63/37) for sensitive electronics ?
>
> Principally, because it's what I can buy readily. And, provided that the
> joint is properly made, wetting both components, I find it hard to beliebe that a
> 3% change in the composition will have any effect. 60/40 is pretty near the
> eutectic.
>

    It does have a difference. The 63/37 has a pasty range that is only a degree
or so wide. ( Don't know the exact numbers) It passes through that pasty range
really quickly, much faster than 60/40 solder with it's wider range. Of course
I now do most of my soldering with a suction fan pulling the solder fumes into
a filter, which helps by providing a cooling air flow.

>
> Other alloys are around. Plumber's solder has a higher melting point, and
> passes though a pasty stage while setting, allowing the making if the neat wiped
> joints used with old-fashioned lead pipes: somewhere I have a reel of
> high-tmperature solder for use on components whose leads are likely to get hot, such
> as power resistors. For greater reliability, Tektronix used to use silver and
> ceramic tag strips, and supplied a special solder with a silver content for use
> on them. But I am sure that 99% of joints are made with the standard 60/40
> alloy. Being the euctectic, near enough, it has the lowest melting point of the
> tin/lead alloys, subjecting the components to the minimum of heating, and
> passes quickly from liquid to solid.

    Virtually all the normal electronic solders I see on the store shelves are the
63/47 variety. The 60/40 ones are usually kinda dusty, or marked down.  I'm
also seeing silver and lead-free solders more and more often.
    But I doubt this will sway your opinion, you are remarkably resistant to any
sort of change that reality presents to you.


    --Dale



------------------------------

Message-Id: <a05210600be07a13d97f1 [at] [192.168.1.111]>
In-Reply-To: <list-13179470 [at] prxy.net>
References: <list-13179470 [at] prxy.net>
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 22:11:40 -0500
From: Michael Feinberg <michaelf [at] joyce.eng.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: Theater wiring suggestions / NEC

>  >  Adapters/Twofers: 1 meter (3.3 feet).  Junior hard service cord such as SJ
>  >  is permitted when applied under all the restrictions.
>It is both simpler and more complicated in the UK. Thee IEE rules only have
>advisory status, although a failure to conform to them would get you in a lot
>of bother in the case of an incident. But I have 60' cables hanging in my
>store. We seem to be more concerned by allowable voltage drops, in 
>spite of our
>higher voltasge and lower currents.

The quoted sections on the code were on maximum length of SJ cable or 
sleeving for multicable breakouts and adapters, not total cable 
length.  SJ is "junior hard service" and a 300V rating, whereas 
normal US stage cable is type S (and it's variants SO, SOOW, etc.) 
which is "hard service" 600V rated and has considerably thicker 
insulation than SJ.  12/3 SJOOW is 0.43" OD and 12/3 SOOW is 0.60" OD.

Type S extension cords and be as long as you want, subject to voltage 
drops, appropriate gauge, and suitable over-current protection.  I've 
certainly used 100' cables, of course in a well designed space with a 
dimmer per circuit layout, often you don't need anything more than 
10'.


-- 
-Michael Feinberg, CTS

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:37:40 -0500
From: LoftLight [at] aol.com
Subject: ETC Sensor phase output distribution information
Message-ID: <67F46588.4D6ED4D2.02682445 [at] aol.com>

Hello & Happy New Year to everyone.    I'm looking for info on the phase distribution to the outputs of all the ETC Portable Sensor racks, starting with the 6 pack.  I went to the ETC site and downloaded the CEM manual (which I needed anyway, but couldn't find any chart on the phase balancing of the rack itself),and the Sensor Portable rack manual.  The closest info I came to was when I came to the section on Balance rack numbers vs. sequenced rack numbers (CEM manual).   Is there a quick reference chart somewhere?  If not,  it would be great if ETC could put something on their website. 

Thanks,
Aaron 

Aaron Meadow
Lighting Designer
NYC 212-995-1120
Cell 917-656-1639
LoftLight [at] aol.com
www.meadowlight.com



------------------------------

Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2005 00:49:25 -0500
Subject: Pigtail length
From: "Dougherty, Jim" <jdougher [at] middlebury.edu>
Message-ID: <BE078195.3E7%jdougher [at] middlebury.edu>

Mick Alderson wrote:

<snip my original post, minus a couple letters in my name>

I'm reading this very late at night, so I'm not bothering to check my
NEC book, but isn't there something in there which says that
fan-outs/breakouts cannot be longer than 3 meters/ 10 feet? As I recall,
this is because a multi-cable fanout is about the only place on stage
that SJ cable is allowed (because you can't shove six SO cables into a
soco strain relief), but the Code limits the length of the pigtails to
make you go to the approved S or SO cable ASAP.

Granted, if I'm correct, I've seen this ignored often enough....

To which I respond:

I'm not positive of the code on this either (and as I wasn't one of the
licensed electricians who did the work, I don't mind not knowing), but our
pigtails started at about 2', perhaps less, and are still well below 10'
long.  Do watch out that you don't end up 6" short, that's all I meant.  If
they get too long, you run into diminishing returns with the cost of the
extra long pigtails that aren't being used passing the cost of separate
cables in any case.  And they'd be ugly.

BTW, and I apologize for swapping topics mid post, but we have drop boxes on
our grid as well as our fly rails (SR/SL, about a third to halfway up the
wall).  The ones on the rails can be difficult if used in conjunction with
side tabs - they need to be picked over the tabs if the tabs don't need to
fly; if they do, they have to thread US or DS of them.

-  Jim  DoUGherty
ATD, Middlebury College


------------------------------

Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20050109235827.00b86ce0 [at] pop.west.cox.net>
Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2005 23:58:27
From: CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
Subject: RE: Volunteering in Tucson

>I'm essentially the same person I was back in HS
>thirty years ago. Sure I've grown and matured in many ways, but I still have
>the same goals and dreams 

Twenty years after I rode the bus to school with this girl, she recognized
me in a convenience store.  She saw me ride up on the bike, saw the long
blond hair fall out of the helmet as I took it off, and heard me talk to
the counter guy about the show I was mixing.  I really hadn't spent that
much time with her, so I asked how she recognized me.  She said that the
hair, the bike, and the t-shirt hadn't changed that much since junior high,
except to get longer, bigger, and better, and the fact that I was working
in music gave it away.  My first console was in the tenth grade, and I
haven't ever gone back.
				Chris "Chris" Babbie
				Location Sound
				OTR

Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment.  Rates
negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment...

------------------------------

Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20050110000837.00b86ce0 [at] pop.west.cox.net>
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2005 00:08:37
From: CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
Subject: Re: Theatre renovation/equipment

>>  Nothing worse than very well lit mimes..
>
>Oh, there is. Badly lit mimes!

Mimes in the dark are far less annoying, Frank, trust me.
				Chris "Chris" Babbie
				Location Sound
				OTR

Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment.  Rates
negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment...

------------------------------

Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20050110001157.00b86ce0 [at] pop.west.cox.net>
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2005 00:11:57
From: CB <psyd [at] cox.net>
Subject: Re: Theatre Rentals?

>But, Chris, most of these outfits can't spell 'planning'. 

This is exactly my point, Frank.  If the contract states that last minute
additions will absolutely be charged a phenominal fee, they will have to
plan or pay.  Those that are keeping an eye on their pursestrings will at
least think twice.  Those that don't will compensate you for the extra
effort.
				Chris "Chris" Babbie
				Location Sound
				OTR

Delete key training and post trimming done by appointment.  Rates
negotiable, will trade for typing lessons/ADD treatment...

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2005 01:36:28 -0600
Subject: Re: ETC Sensor phase output distribution information
From: Greg Persinger <gregpersin [at] comcast.net>
Message-ID: <BE078C9C.90DC%gregpersin [at] comcast.net>
In-Reply-To: <list-13208305 [at] prxy.net>

Aaron,

On the portables just split the rack into thirds for the 6, 12, and 24 slot
racks. Top third is Phase A, Middle B, Bottom C

On the 96 way 48 slot rack I think it is split by thirds in each bay but I
can't remember. One easy way to tell is to pull the modules, WITH POWER
DISCONNECTED, and look at the buss bars.

Hope that helps you.


Greg Persinger
Vivid Illumination

Greg [at] Vividillumination.com





------------------------------

Message-ID: <002901c4f6ed$e6374380$0800000a [at] Tony>
From: "Tony" <deeming.tony [at] btinternet.com>
References: <list-13156389 [at] prxy.net> <list-13196208 [at] prxy.net>
Subject: Re: Sound Board Maintenance
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2005 08:25:06 -0000

Dale wrote:

. The 63/37 has a pasty range that is only a degree
> or so wide. ( Don't know the exact numbers) It passes through that pasty
range
> really quickly, much faster than 60/40 solder with it's wider range. Of
course
> I now do most of my soldering with a suction fan pulling the solder fumes
into
> a filter, which helps by providing a cooling air flow.
>

A little of the topic in hand, but I was always taught (and have stuck to
this for over 20 years) that to ensure a well-connected solder joint you
must never encourage faster drying. Solder of any type should always be
allowed to dry/set/whatever in it's own time, lest the joint become
brittle - the common term of course is 'dry joint'. I've seen literally
hundreds of such over my 25 years in my day job, and many can be attributed
to excessive cooling (eg blowing on drying solder), along with other obvious
errors like failure to tin properly etc.

Just a little contribution.....

Ynot



------------------------------

End of Stagecraft Digest #255
*****************************