Conventional Fixtures - Electro-Controls "Channel Mount" connector strips

[ahsviper]

I work in a high school theater as a lighting designer. To rig our lights to the battens, we use what we call "channel locks". However, my extensive internet searching has come up with nothing as to what they are actually called, or any for sale for that matter. I have drawn (sloppily and in two seconds) a basic diagram of what they look like. the top is that channel lock, while the bottom is a diagram of the batten (both from side angles to show how they fit together).





For tension, a screw is put through the center of the channel lock (from bottom to top on this diagram), that provides tension against the underside of the batten.

Anywayz, I am extremely confused as to what exactly these are (maybe i'm just being a newbie, i've only done 7 shows), and where to get them. Undoubtedly, they are some form of ancient magic that is impossible to come by these days, but it would be nice if I had a general idea. =D thanks

[gafftapegreenia]

It's called Unistrut. Sounds like you guys just have a more "local" name. It's commonly available at the Depot.

When most people here the word "channellock", they think of these.

[sk8rsdad]

If it's what I think you are trying to describe, there are several high schools in Southern Ontario that use the same system, circa the 1970s.

Do you have a number of extruded aluminum lighting distribution battens about 8"x3" with a channel on the bottom that the piece you are looking for clips into? The instrument is attached to the clip with a bolt that threads directly into the clip. The clip is notched as you've drawn it to lock into the channel of the distribution batten, which is done by pushing it into the extruded channel then rotating 90 degrees then snugging up the bolt. The clip is about 3" x 1.5".

If what I'm describing matches with what you're seeking maybe it will help some of the others on this group jog their memory as to the manufacturer. Most places I know with this system have NEMA L5-20J receptacles.

[gafftaper]

Interesting. As has been pointed out there are two options. This is a picture of uni-strut:
See the glossary entry: http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/g...-unistrut.html.
(goes by many other names too like "super strut," see Kindorf). Just about any place that carries electrical supplies will have the parts.


Like Sk8rsdad I'm suspicious that what you are talking about is something older and slightly different. When I went to college our Electrical raceways were aluminum and rectangular. You plugged the fixture into the raceway and the fixture hung from a track built into the bottom of that raceway. It was very similar to unistrut but not exactly the same thing (it looked a lot like the 1/2" unistrut but even shallower). My guess is this was 1970's technology. Don't know the proper name for it or the manufacturer. But I'm sure Derek, Ship, Steve Terry, or SteveB will know.

[gafftapegreenia]

I know what you guys are talking about! I believe its an Electro-Controls raceway, as our electrics have that type of channel built into the top and bottoms of the raceways. However, we have the more typical dual battens, so no need to use such torturous fasteners.

[derekleffew]

This type of connector strip, with its Unistrut-type (but not compatible) mounting for fixtures?

From this thread: http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/l...-controls.html. Yes, the 6"Fresnel is hung upside down.

See also: http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/l...e-c-clamp.html and http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/l...equipment.html.

[gafftapegreenia]

That's certainly the look of OUR raceways, but interestingly we have pigtails with female stagepin connectors.

[MNicolai]

I remember those lovely Electro-Controls raceways. In all of their asbestos wired glory, last summer I ripped some out of a black box. That's not to say you should assume yours having asbestos wiring in them though.

I never did enjoy hanging fixtures from them, especially when we still at Electro-Controls Parallipspheres floating around yet, because they were heavy, bulky fixtures, and I simply never had enough trust in the structural integrity of those hang positions. Tossing fresnels on them was never too bad, but it simply wasn't as versatile as Sch40 pipe because the only way to hang the fixture was directly below the raceway.

[ahsviper]

yeah they are definitely from the 70's. If I could get the measurements on the raceway does anyone know of anywhere i could get replacements? My local lighting supply (Vincent Lighting Systems) has been of no help.

[FMEng]

That kind of metal channel, called strut, is commonly used by electricians and plumbers to hang all kinds of things. Unistrut is one brand, but the various brands are all compatible. Any electrical supply house has these parts. Here's a catalog

Welcome to Unistrut, The Original Metal Framing