Thanks, @theatricalmatt. I think there are mostly LED pucks involved, but they just handed me a list and asked me to gather the things on it, so I don't know too much about the big picture. The actors are being given power strips. Thanks for pointing out the fraying cable. I'll make sure to address that before it goes out."PBG" stands for "parallel blade and ground," which uses the connectors in your photograph. People also call it "Edison cable;" technically the connectors are NEMA 5-15.
There's some printing along the length of the cable itself -- "SOOW" -- and there should be an additional marking indicating the actual gauge of the cable -- I'd guess 14/3 from the photo. That stands for "14 gauge, 3 conductors."
If you're renting cable from a live event vendor, they'll supply you with the right stuff. Household extension cords that you get at big box stores range from 12/3 (a thicker gauge, capable of supporting more power) down to 16/3 or even 18/3, which can't support much power at all without overheating and causing problems.
First, what are you using for lighting equipment? Lighting fixtures range anywhere from a 100 watt household bulb (like a clip light) to theatrical lighting fixtures, which might be 500 - 1000 watts each; and film lights, which might reach up to 2000 watts (or more). So first, check what lighting equipment is going to be used.
Second, what's their house like? Is anything else plugged into the same outlet? Is there more than one outlet on the same circuit breaker? *Most* residential outlet are 15 amp, meaning they can support 1800 watts (Watts = Volts x Amps). But I would be conservative here and restrict the power usage to 12 or 10 amps, meaning a maximum of 1200 watts -- especially if the house is older, or if you can't find the circuit breaker panel.
Lastly -- take a look at that cable with the yellow connectors. It looks like it's fraying or separated at the connector. Please fix or replace this cable before you use it!
That power strip looks like someone plugged their 1500 watt ceramic heater into it and left it run all day. Your local fire department sees that more than they would like to.Photos like that always make me wonder. Plug strips are supposed to be safety devices!
Are some of those switches not also circuit breakers? Or are there many defective out there?
How much current does it take to do that much melting?
Could a voltage error do that? Like 480!
What else has to go wrong?
I've run 1500w on similar strips without heating. I'm guessing it more like 5000w to do that.
Photos like that always make me wonder. Plug strips are supposed to be safety devices!
Are some of those switches not also circuit breakers? Or are there many defective out there?
How much current does it take to do that much melting?
Could a voltage error do that? Like 480!
What else has to go wrong?
Ahhh. . . but you're likely sensible enough to face your 1500 Watt heater away from your strip, and / or place the strip behind your heater where cooler air would possibly be drawn across it both dissipating heat from the strip and preheating air entering your heater.I've run 1500w on similar strips without heating. I'm guessing it'd take more like 5000w to do that.
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