ETC SP12 Power entry conversion

Hello,

I am looking at picking up a couple of used SP12 Sensor packs for our theatre and was wondering if anyone had converted the power entry form the Cam Lock connectors to direct conduit in?

Our current CD80 is equipped for direct cabling but the SP12s are not. I'd like to save myself the trouble of using the Cam Locks and having the feeders directly wired inside the racks. As long as the costs of converting the plate aren't greater than that of installing the appropriate connector box(es) and purchasing the cable and Cam Lock connectors, I'd like to go that route.

Any thoughts/experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Thom

Would be best to call ETC directly for this one. They could tell you in a heartbeat.

Most people here will say get a licensed Electrican and not do it yourself.

Get some photos then call tech support, they’ll get you an email address and they can then forward to the engineers for power gear. It’s pretty much a swap out of the front panel so you just need to order what they tell you is needed

Double row or Single row of Cam-lok s?

A plate with a hole in it for the appropriate conduit connector is certainly less expensive than 5 single-pole connectors.

Unfortunately, this isn't just a question of getting the right parts. Portable packs are UL listed as portable devices and converting them to be hard-wired would void their UL listing. If you want to use these packs in a safe and code-compliant fashion, then you'll need to leave them alone and adjust your building wiring to match (such as adding a company switch or whatever you need to get an appropriate way to feed those cams).

[email protected] is a good address to use for this sort of question if you haven't already contacted ETC.

Malabaristo said:

Unfortunately, this isn't just a question of getting the right parts. Portable packs are UL listed as portable devices and converting them to be hard-wired would void their UL listing. If you want to use these packs in a safe and code-compliant fashion, then you'll need to leave them alone and adjust your building wiring to match (such as adding a company switch or whatever you need to get an appropriate way to feed those cams).

[email protected] is a good address to use for this sort of question if you haven't already contacted ETC.

Click to expand...

Good point, and yet I have to wonder as the exact same pack is UL listed for permanent install, just a different panel. I would think that converting it to a different UL listed device is not going to change the UL compliance.

Possibly Steve Terry could clarify this.

SteveB said:

Good point, and yet I have to wonder as the exact same pack is UL listed for permanent install, just a different panel. I would think that converting it to a different UL listed device is not going to change the UL compliance.
Possibly Steve Terry could clarify this.

Click to expand...

UL is picky: field modifications are never allowed unless they're specifically called out in the UL file. One example would be all the different main and branch breaker options in their relay panels (IQ or ERP). Those are all kits that are intended for field installation, so you can swap those around as needed. However, if you bought a connector strip with stagepins and decided to replace them with Edisons, that would technically void the listing--even though you could have bought the exact same strip with Edisons from the factory.

Malabaristo said:

UL is picky: field modifications are never allowed unless they're specifically called out in the UL file. One example would be all the different main and branch breaker options in their relay panels (IQ or ERP). Those are all kits that are intended for field installation, so you can swap those around as needed. However, if you bought a connector strip with stagepins and decided to replace them with Edisons, that would technically void the listing--even though you could have bought the exact same strip with Edisons from the factory.

Click to expand...

Begs the question as to when is a device UL listed as a unit vs. as an assembly of UL listed parts.

SteveB said:

Begs the question as to when is a device UL listed as a unit vs. as an assembly of UL listed parts.

Click to expand...

Usually you can figure this out by looking at how it fits together: the Sensor rack as a whole actually is an assembly of listed parts. It's just that the rack itself is one part, while the dimmer/relay modules and CEM are the field-configurable parts. UL doesn't like DIY kits where the end user or installer has to do a substantial amount of disassembly or rewiring. Unless it's something obviously intended to be modular, the odds are good that modifications would void the listing.

SteveB said:

Good point, and yet I have to wonder as the exact same pack is UL listed for permanent install, just a different panel. I would think that converting it to a different UL listed device is not going to change the UL compliance.

Possibly Steve Terry could clarify this.

Click to expand...

A Sensor portable pack cannot be connected via a direct conduit connection. Under the "conditions of use" of its UL listing, it must be fed with potable cord and connectors.

This is not just a UL file issue--a portable pack is not constructed to accept conduit.

ST

STEVETERRY said:

A Sensor portable pack cannot be connected via a direct conduit connection. Under the "conditions of use" of its UL listing, it must be fed with potable cord and connectors.

This is not just a UL file issue--a portable pack is not constructed to accept conduit.

ST

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So what if you called ETC and asked for the second rack slot to have the ability to become permanent and they shipped you the part to be installed by a proper person. Still UL?

Or because of the wording portable it must stay portable to stay UL?

Curious more so than looking to do.

Get a company switch and cables and be done, assuming portable branch circuits. Sounds as if you won't meet the NEC definition of temporary though - not sure if that is an issue or not.

Better choice - in particular if hard wring branch circuits buy an install rack - buy an SR24 install rack and reuse modules. Maybe sell portable racks if you'll never need them.

Thank you for all of your advice and information. Unfortunately I have to pass on these particular dimmers due to the scarcity of ULC rated Bates connector here in Canada. I guess I’m going to have to keep my eyes open for packs with twist locks instead. Anyone know where I might be able to find a well loved Strand CD80, 24 channel pack?

Thanks again for the input. Another reason this is such a great place to come for advice.

Thom

Amiers said:

So what if you called ETC and asked for the second rack slot to have the ability to become permanent and they shipped you the part to be installed by a proper person. Still UL?

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At a minimum, you would have to pay UL a bag full of cash or two to test that rack configuration as safe and mechanically fit for permanent installation, aside from the physical adaptations that would have to be made to the rack to allow accepting conduit and internal bussing to land your feeder conductors on. I'm sure there are specific criteria installed, fixed power control equipment has to meet to get that UL listing, though I couldn't tell you what they are.