Control/Dimming Who needs CamLocks?

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I think we've always called them C5 connectors....if they're the ones I'm thinking of. It's late, and I'm tired.


edit: and I'll take camlocks any day over those. Only good use I have for them is lower amperage connections mid-distro (think CLD distributed to a bunch of MLD units)
 
The blue connector is called a ceeform they are big overseas and in fast food (thats where I as first introduced to them) I don't know all the plus to the connector off hand but I do know they are locking based on the lid design. Sounds like a great summer research project for you. Why would you choose a ceeform connector over an equally rated connector like a L21-30?

As far as 60 amp 2p and G I made some looms (or Hods if you will) of them last week for some 5K fresnels 2 bundles of 4 @ 75' for a short tour. They do make 100 amp 2p and g and you will find both varitys on movie sets.
 
soundman said:
The blue connector is called a ceeform they are big overseas and in fast food (thats where I as first introduced to them) I don't know all the plus to the connector off hand but I do know they are locking based on the lid design. Sounds like a great summer research project for you. Why would you choose a ceeform connector over an equally rated connector like a L21-30?

As far as 60 amp 2p and G I made some looms (or Hods if you will) of them last week for some 5K fresnels 2 bundles of 4 @ 75' for a short tour. They do make 100 amp 2p and g and you will find both varitys on movie sets.
Click to expand...

Ah, interesting. Makes sense, so, let me clarify. The bigger fresnels are usually HMI, therefore dimming is done mechanically, with a DMX controlled douser? So the fresnel would go into this 60A nondim, and just have to have the breaker flipped at the beggining/end of the night? (This given we don't have any other provisions for getting 60A anywhere, except what you see in the photographs.)

Onto connector choice: I believe the install on the panel was '89.
 
Charc Those sort of plugs are standard in the New Zealand for three phase power used both in the theatre and in industry.

We even have smaller single phase versions for heavy currents eg 16 - 20 AMP.
They are also used outside for connecting power to caravans, RV etc.

I like them once you plug them in and screw down the locking ring you know they aren't going anywhere.
 
Sweet, thanks guys. So now I just need to look into my distribution needs. Currently I plan on 60A of power, so that means just using the four circuits in picture three. If I need more, then I'll need to start looking into a spiderbox or some sort of real distribution.
 
charcoaldabs said:
Ah, interesting. Makes sense, so, let me clarify. The bigger fresnels are usually HMI, therefore dimming is done mechanically, with a DMX controlled douser? So the fresnel would go into this 60A nondim, and just have to have the breaker flipped at the beggining/end of the night? (This given we don't have any other provisions for getting 60A anywhere, except what you see in the photographs.)

Onto connector choice: I believe the install on the panel was '89.
Click to expand...


That could be a possibility but the runs I was prepping were for tungsten fixtures. Are you sure the 60 amps aren't fed by a dimmer? Before my space was remodeled there were some 6K drops around the cyc area and such. Places were thing will often get twofered.
 
soundman said:
That could be a possibility but the runs I was prepping were for tungsten fixtures. Are you sure the 60 amps aren't fed by a dimmer? Before my space was remodeled there were some 6K drops around the cyc area and such. Places were thing will often get twofered.
Click to expand...

Nope, every module in both racks is 2.4kW, except for one constant on. and one blank or two blanks.

Edit: And there are two 60A breakers in the panel 18" above the two 60A 2P&G connectors.
 
Sounds like a sweet deck power set up to me -- there are some really great solutions by a company whose name a I can't remember that makes a connector/cable/drop box setup that splits the phases out per box with Red Blue and Black color coding per box. I'll find the name for you...
 
Union Connector is another company that makes power distro stuff.

Just be aware, that if you intend to make your own 60 amp cable, it wires differently that the 20 amp variety....
 
We use the 60 amp 2 P&G's for house lights in our black box. Unlike my undergrad, we take advantage of the flexible space so the set up is never the same. We have two of them that break out at the plug so we can plug PAR Cans into them.

Our mainstage also has some but I've never seen them used.
 
Be aware that if the 60A connectors are fed from anything larger than a 20A breaker, you're supposed to have branch fuses or circuit breakers at the female end. A 60A Male to 3x 20A Females adapter, with no protection, is dangerous, and in violation of the most stringent of national, state, and local fire and life-safety codes.

At one time, Union Connector I believe, used to make female 20A 2P&Gs with a 20A cartridge fuse in them. I've never seen them advertised, but they have saved my butt from a dead short before.
 
Also check out AC Power Distribution. They make some pretty innovative stuff, like Lex, tht might be useful for your application.

Cheers!
 
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