Often called a vampire tap, an add-a-tap is a wiring device that can be installed on a length of zip cord without any tools. The connector has 'teeth' that bite through the insulation on a piece of SPT, making contact with the copper inside. Care must be take to ensure that these teeth properly and fully engage the copper.
Add a taps come in Polarized (NEMA 1-15P and 1-15R) and Non-Polarized (No NEMA code?) varieties.
Non-Polarized example by Academy:
http://www.filmtools.com/ad26ac29.htmlhttp://www.lighttrader.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=ed114
Available in white, black, and brown. As with zip cord in general, their use is discouraged for live entertainment applications.
The non-polarized receptacle versions are particularly popular in the events industry because they allow for the zip cord to pass through. Thus several can be placed on a single run for zip cord. This can allow for, say, several strings of Christmas lights or other low wattage loads to all be plugged into a single line. Obviously, the potential for an overloaded piece of zip cord is very real, and thus this should only be done by qualified personnel. A much safer and robust way of satisfying this need is to use a stringer, such as the E-String made by LEX Products.
[product]Add-A-Tap[/product]LightingElectricalWiringWiring Devices
Add a taps come in Polarized (NEMA 1-15P and 1-15R) and Non-Polarized (No NEMA code?) varieties.
Non-Polarized example by Academy:
http://www.filmtools.com/ad26ac29.htmlhttp://www.lighttrader.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=ed114
Available in white, black, and brown. As with zip cord in general, their use is discouraged for live entertainment applications.
The non-polarized receptacle versions are particularly popular in the events industry because they allow for the zip cord to pass through. Thus several can be placed on a single run for zip cord. This can allow for, say, several strings of Christmas lights or other low wattage loads to all be plugged into a single line. Obviously, the potential for an overloaded piece of zip cord is very real, and thus this should only be done by qualified personnel. A much safer and robust way of satisfying this need is to use a stringer, such as the E-String made by LEX Products.
[product]Add-A-Tap[/product]LightingElectricalWiringWiring Devices
Last edited by a moderator:
