If your pack has a normal 15/20 amp plug on it, like the ones you see in your
house, then look below. If not ignore this.
If you plug in to an outlet with two straight slits and one hole in the bottom ( 15 amp outlet) then you can only load your pack to 1800 watts total before you blow the
circuit breaker at the venue.
Here is why:
Watts =
Volts *
Amps
Watts = x
Volts = 120 (Common US voltage)
Amps = 15 (Your plug is a 15 amp plug)
x = 120 * 15
x = 1800 Watts
So the maximum you could load your pack TOTAL would be 1800 watts.
Say you have an outlet with two slits and a hole, but one slit also has a horizontal slit . Then you have a 20 amp outlet. SO:
Watts = Volts * Amps
Watts = x
Volts = 120 (Common US voltage)
>>> Amps = 20 (Your plug is a 20 amp plug)
x = 120 * 20
x = 2400 Watts
Your pack can be loaded to 2400 watts total.
So the reason your pack can't have a load greater than 2400 watts ( 20 Amps) is that the supply for the pack can not got beyond 2400 watts.
In order to load your pack to full you would need 4800 watts.
Watts * Channels = TOTAL
1200 * 4 = 4800
That requires a supply circuit (Outlet) of 40 AMPS. Thats double what the normal outlet provides.
Watts / Voltage = Amps
4800/ 120 = 40
So really your pack is limited by the lack of energy avaliable from the wall. Some people like to open the packs and divide the dimmers into two banks and power them from seperate circuits. Its not a good practice and can be dangerous.
Quick note:
The above calcualtions do not take into effect a saftey factor or the resistance of the wire between the breaker and the pack.
DO NOT attempt to change the plug in an attempt to get more power. It's dangerous and he pack is likely fused and will not allow it.