Interesting discussion of knotting cable. To me, it seems like a very bad idea for general
theatre use, I've only employed the technique twice. (I'm assuming we're talking about tying the connectors together, so pulling on them just tightens the knot.)
The first time is with one of our saber saws which has a messed up plug. It really loves to come unplugged. This is often tied in this manor to one of edison extensions. It's a thin extension cable, so easy to twist around without much damage/force, unlike the 20A SOOW.
The second time was at the shakes in the park thing. I noticed day 1 that the power run was 1. Right in the center of the "
house", and a serious trip hazard. 2. Pulled apart easily. Given all the equipment hooked up to it, and the fact that we'd be dead in the water without power, I started to tie my runs. Those around me agreed it was good practice, and proceeded to tie their own runs. Again, this was with thin extension, and molded connectors. (Interestingly enough, we used a combination of 13 and 10 amp extensions, which I pointed out to the LD. He said "We'll be fine... right?". Well we were fine, but we ended up with as much as 3 S4 PARs on one run. 20 amp
circuit > 10 amp extension > 12 amp extension > 20 amp input on 40 amp
dimmer.)