RenegadeProducer
Member
Ok this is going to sound kinda amateurish, but oh well. I'm a small scale designer here in S. Florida, and like my previous experiences in other parts of the country I generally find myself in very small 99 seat (or under) venues. I do have to chance at times to work in larger houses, but usually they are established houses and I really just need to know the dimmer capacity and the fixture inventory. I rarely think about the raw power aspect of things. Until now.
I am assisting a small theater in relocating to new and better(?) digs. I was charged with booking the electrical upgrade for the space - its a church chapel. my problem lies with electrical contractors and the art of load calculation. I know that as a general rule lighting designers will use every available amp that they can get their hands on...even if it means unpluging the coffe pot and microwave How do you get that thru the heads of the typical contractor. We just installed a 200A (4wire) upgrade into this building so I could at least get the current packs (chauvet TFX-D12) online and ready to go. I thought that seemed a little light (12 * 10A) on 2 packs
what do you guys think? I was hoping to get him to pull a full 3phase service and try and get 300-400A to be able upgrade later..is this too much to ask, Am I not figuring this right? Or am I being totally unrealistic? His reply (he's legit btw) : "You will NEVER EVER more that that 200A EVER". I just scratched my head and went off to look at the specs for a typical ETC 48/96 rack.....PLEASE help/enlighten. I also hope to be able to start work on my own space in the next year or so, and I would like some advice on what I should be looking for in the power department as I compare spaces .
THANK YOU!, Sorry for the long post..I'm just lost, confused and in need of a drink now
-Nate
South Florida
I am assisting a small theater in relocating to new and better(?) digs. I was charged with booking the electrical upgrade for the space - its a church chapel. my problem lies with electrical contractors and the art of load calculation. I know that as a general rule lighting designers will use every available amp that they can get their hands on...even if it means unpluging the coffe pot and microwave How do you get that thru the heads of the typical contractor. We just installed a 200A (4wire) upgrade into this building so I could at least get the current packs (chauvet TFX-D12) online and ready to go. I thought that seemed a little light (12 * 10A) on 2 packs
what do you guys think? I was hoping to get him to pull a full 3phase service and try and get 300-400A to be able upgrade later..is this too much to ask, Am I not figuring this right? Or am I being totally unrealistic? His reply (he's legit btw) : "You will NEVER EVER more that that 200A EVER". I just scratched my head and went off to look at the specs for a typical ETC 48/96 rack.....PLEASE help/enlighten. I also hope to be able to start work on my own space in the next year or so, and I would like some advice on what I should be looking for in the power department as I compare spaces .
THANK YOU!, Sorry for the long post..I'm just lost, confused and in need of a drink now
-Nate
South Florida