Courtesy Tabs

[gafftapegreenia]

I do tabs on stage pin connections and rolls of packaging tape. But, other than that I usually don't use them.

[STEVETERRY]

Originally Posted by Van

Question for the masses;
To courtesy tab or not ? that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind of the ME to leave a little hangy piece of tape, or to make it clean. For when it is time to shuffle off with the electrical coil, is easier to pull tabs of tape wrap or whip out the multi-tool and slicing end them? For who would tabs abide when thier inheirent nastiness doth give an uncomely appearence unto the cables of sound and light?

Guys--

God love you, but you must have a lot of time on your hands.

Where I come from in NYC, taping pin connectors would be frowned upon, due to the time involved.

I may be an old fart, but I knot them.

Pin splitting is good--for electrical contact, not for mating retention.

Just my 2 cents.

ST

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by STEVETERRY

...God love you, but you must have a lot of time on your hands...

You mean for taping the connectors, or taking the time on Control Booth to discuss taping connectors?

Originally Posted by STEVETERRY

...Where I come from in NYC, taping pin connectors would be frowned upon, due to the time involved...

Brooklyn is in NYC, correct? SteveB says he tapes all connectors, even TwistLocs, on deck level.

Originally Posted by STEVETERRY

...I may be an old fart, but I knot them...

You wouldn't believe how much I got yelled at by the Master Electrician of a hotel's convention center on one of my first calls here in Las Vegas when I did that.

Originally Posted by STEVETERRY

...Pin splitting is good--for electrical contact, not for mating retention...

Two birds with one stone, isn't it?

But I'm more curious about whether the male's strain relief should be less strong than the female's on locking connectors, and if the NEC, or you, have any opinion on that.

[Charc]

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.)

[SteveB]

Originally Posted by STEVETERRY

Guys--
God love you, but you must have a lot of time on your hands.
Where I come from in NYC, taping pin connectors would be frowned upon, due to the time involved.
I may be an old fart, but I knot them.
Pin splitting is good--for electrical contact, not for mating retention.
Just my 2 cents.
ST

Yes, we all seemingly are stuck indoors, with nothing to do right now, except post on CB. I also subscribe to a few Bicycle forums. Talk about cabin fever ! and it's only December !.

I do not tape the connections, even vertical connections, in the FOH, nor overhead raceway's nor the multi drops in overhead positions, only on the deck where the cables might get pulled on and only then to avoid nuisance dis-connects.

I haven't seen anyone actually knot the cables as Steve T. describes in years. Why ?, can't say for sure, but when I converted the road house to 2P&G in '04, most of the folks we hired were now Local 1 and seemingly started the practice of taping deck connections. Note that this is a road house method, not something being done for shows running long term. I have no idea what the Broadway folks do. I also think that 12/3 SOOW is maybe a bit stiffer then in the old days and many folks don't want to place the same level of strain on the connectors strain relief - even though it's a better design on typical 2P&G connectors you see these days. Connectors have pins that "float" a bit and don't have as many issues with losing connection as did older 2P&G's of say 20 years ago.

I actually suspect that the practice of not knotting the connections is all old-wives-tales kind of attitude, similar to the whole Should I Pre-Heat issue.

Is taping connections time consuming ?, yes, but it's faster then using tie-line.

Steve Bailey
Brooklyn College

[STEVETERRY]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

But I'm more curious about whether the male's strain relief should be less strong than the female's on locking connectors, and if the NEC, or you, have any opinion on that.

The NEC disallows any strain from the cable being transferred to the electrical connections. UL conducts the same pullout test on both sexes.

ST

[STEVETERRY]

Originally Posted by SteveB

I haven't seen anyone actually knot the cables as Steve T. describes in years.

Well, truth be told, I haven't actually done it in years in the theatre--I just think I would, out of habit, if presented with the task!

I do it at home with an extension cord without even thinking about it!

Happy Holidays!

ST

[Grog12]

Originally Posted by STEVETERRY

Guys--
God love you, but you must have a lot of time on your hands.
Where I come from in NYC, taping pin connectors would be frowned upon, due to the time involved.
I may be an old fart, but I knot them.
Pin splitting is good--for electrical contact, not for mating retention.
Just my 2 cents.
ST

What I love about this is we made pin connectors so they would pull apart on wagons and the like...and here we are x number of years later figuring out the best way to keep them together!

[Capi]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

When taping stagepin (2P&G) connectors, tear off about a 6" piece of gaffer's tape, and fold each end over to create a 1/2" tab on each end, then place the tape in line with the connectors.

Question: What is the advantage of taping inline with the stagepin connectors as opposed to around them?

And for the record, ever since I got to college and found out about them, I have used courtesy tabs on most things I gaff, including spike marks. The only time I don't use is when I am taping down cable runs to the deck.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by Capi

Question: What is the advantage of taping inline with the stagepin connectors as opposed to around them?...

1. A stronger bond, as more surface area is exposed to the adhesive in the direction of come-apart-ness. 2. Easier to remove, with or without courtesy tabs, 2a. more surface on which to write the ckt./dimmer/ch#.

Originally Posted by Capi

...And for the record, ever since I got to college and found out about them, I have used courtesy tabs on most things I gaff, including spike marks...

Courtesy tabs on spike marks is bad, because: 3. easier to have them accidentally removed, 4. the little "flags" may create an unnecessary visual distraction, 5. For invisible spikes, use UV paint, and only turn on the Blacklights during the scene changes, or supply all deckhands with UV Flashlights!

Originally Posted by Capi

...The only time I don't use is when I am taping down cable runs to the deck.

6. Now here, I think it acceptable to use tabs, as long as they are out of the traffic pattern.