Striking lamps?

Starting it up, or turning it on.
(the term does make very little sense in this instance considering the other uses of it)
 
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Well I can think of two possible definitions.

1. Striking Lamps. The act of removing lighting fixtures from thier placement in a design, < Where they're hung> to a storage facility, or warehousing area. Typical usage; "We're going to strike the lamps as soon as the ****ed Carpenters get the set out of the way."

2. Striking lamps. The act of powering up Carbon arc of Xenon arc lamps. Typically you want to give either type of arc light a time to "come up to temp" the striking of these lamps referes to actualy striking the arc. With the xenon lamp the arc strike is controlled by the ballast and happens inside the quartz envelope of the lamp <Globe, Bulb, whatever you call it in your theatre.> In a Carbon Arc fixture, the act of striking the arc entails the physical touching of two electrodes, in the presence of high voltage, to start an electrical arc. The electrodes are then drawn apart to the maximum point of efficient production of light. If you pull them too far apart the arc goes out, too close together and the electrodes burn too fast and your ballast burns up.

3. Striking Lamps. The act of having all your source4's refuse to turn on no matter what you do. Once they submit a list of demands including, but not limited to; Longer Lunch breaks, Better bench focusing, Quicker turn around on requests for lamp replacement, you'll definately know you have striking lamps.
 
"Striking lamps" refers to igniting (Lamping ON) non-incandescent arc/discharge lamps used in most moving lights and high-powered followspots. The term comes from when light was produced with carbon-arcs, where the operator manually had to touch the two pencil-sized carbons together once power was applied, then back them away from each other about 1/4". Opposite would be "un-striking," extinguishing, or "Lamping Off."

Alternatively, "striking lamps" could refer to taking down fixtures and putting them away at the end of a show.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll add it to the wiki right now.
 
I thought you people called them instruments?

Exactly WHAT (class or group of persons) do you mean by "you people"??? I have called, and daily refer to, conventional theatrical luminaires, as: "lights, fixtures, lamps, instruments, units" (usually in that order.)
 
I thought you people called them instruments?

Oh yes, I have many lighting instruments! Each adds so much to the show!

I always love the warm deep glow of a Tuba scoop light, or the tight beam control of the ERS Clarinet projector! Sometimes the short tight wiring bothers me on the Violin Pars, (not to be confused by the complete lack of slack on the Harpsichord Patch bay!) I do miss those carbon arc Trombones spots though...

;)
 
I thought you people called them instruments?

What's funny is I read this and automatically thought avkid was an Aussie or a Kiwi....

BTW
Squint is racist....cause I say so.
 
What's funny is I read this and automatically thought avkid was an Aussie or a Kiwi.... QUOTE]

Sorry what?

Please explain? (In a very strong Queensland accent.)
 
I always thought that Striking Lamps were really handsome ones that attracted the eye.

Isn't English a wonderful language.
 

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