Pars are usually lamped at 300, 500, or 1000 watts. All of these are under 10 amps draw. A standard
Edison outlet is rated at 15 amps so there is no technical reason you can't as long as the
circuit has 10 amps to spare! (In other words, what else is plugged in elsewhere?)
The big mistake on "
Edison" outlets (known as 15 amp U-
ground, or
NEMA 5-15R) is that people put a regular extension
cord between the
fixture and the
plug! You should still be using a 12/3 SO type cable in that extension.
Technically, this is a classroom as compared to a public performance space, but I would still stay with the 12/3 SO.
Technically and while better to stay SO in general, there is nothing wrong with SJ for a classroom. Bigger mistake would be to assume that each
outlet you can find in a classroom can supply 15A per
outlet. Instead, normally your outer window walls are one
circuit per a number of outlets along the wall, inner walls are another
circuit along the side of side of building, - connected to another classroom, and in-between classrooms, you might be lucky to get an isolated
outlet in the front or rear but normally at best a third and or fourth
circuit you can pull from assuming the other class rooms next to you are not drawing
current. It’s an industrial school space thus 20A from in as per normal three to possibly four circuits per classroom is the norm. This even if 5-15 outlets presented.
Could be 15A breakers and to be checked, but more normal no matter if 5-15R or 5-20R in
outlet, it is a 20A
breaker. Type of
plug used on
stage L5-20, L5-15, 5-15, 5-20 or
stage pin, the
current feeding it don’t matter just different plugs and all are acceptable for their loads including on
stage. Given
twist lock in use, probably a
stage that was last worked on in the 80's when that was most popular.
16ga type SO cable is the minimum compliant size of cabling to be used in theaters of all sizes. If not a theater proper, believe it was like class 1A but will be corrected on that, and this is not... also if at least 16ga and grounded though not require, it is still rated for 1Kw loads. Again I fully support the 12/3 SOOW concept for cabling, but not always budget now able. Always better to idiot proof your
system in some later than you might think say two 1K loads can be
fed by an extension
cord. Even carpenters on job sites use 15A worm drive Skill Saws with 100' runs of 16ga cable. Works fine for now until it fails.
Gauge of
wire per load or in the concept of 12ga
wire in general - not your usage, but potential expected usage. Will someone
cube tap off the lights you have at some
point without supervision would be a good reason not to use 16ga cable when now over 1Kw. 28 day usage before removal also needs to be complied to in the next show needs to get re-configured for reasons like that loading afterwards.
Adaptors for the twist need to be sized to the load plugged in. If 1Kw load, they don’t need to be larger than 16ga. (12ga. overall the standard but others will work.) Follow the load ratings of the cable, not the dogma.
SJ Light duty (Not good for theater)
-Unlabeled- Consumer grade, unknown grade. Not good
SJ fine for other than certain classes of theater though losing the “J” cable as a goal is really good. All cable not marked is bad - including type S, SOOW
etc. Once a cable is no longer showing it’s markings, it is to be deleted from the
system. All cable which is code compliant sold these days is marked. Consumer grade orange extension cords are marked and compliant for applications including this one. Best choice - no, but are compliant yes.
Just because it’s orange, doesn’t mean that it isn’t compliant with the 28 day wonder
NEC policies for other than class 1A theater spaces or dependant on local code especially for a local school, that It won’t be fine. On the other
hand given the
NEC is an overall rule to be adopted locally and each area adopts it or supplements it as they require, than beyond that a school district adopts or not
NEC and or their own policies - it’s all up for grabs as to what the local school rules require or not. They are in their own world as a school in exemptions and policies.
tjrobb has a good concept in lamping down for the size of the space as mentioned by others but specific in needs for the space stated.
Derek is also absolutely correct in industry standard that any
adaptor you describe should be male end first described, than the female end. It’s not sexist - just the only option out there to speak the same language. No you didn’t. Also the figure out ability of the space before plugging stuff in. Are you doing lighting design and tech, or just plugging a toaster into your kitchen while using the microwave in hoping you don't blow a
fuse?
On rational for male end of an
adaptor first as opposed to the reverse, - heardwomen tech people more than once saying, (not to me), "differnt plumbing, get over it". Indeed! Get over it in
adaptor code for the industry is male end to female end. It is what it is and isn't going to change. A standard not anything other than it.
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