stemiclelights, is this the same question as here:
http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/general-advice/11848-stage-setup.html ?
You have three options:
1. Put the
dimmer packs near the
power source and run 10 (probably long) extension cords from the fixtures to the dimmers.
2. Put the
dimmer packs on the
truss and run three (probably long) extension cords to the
power source and 10 (short; some lights can probably
plug directly into the packs) extensions from the packs to the lights, as well as control cable.
3. A compromise between the two above options.
Some notes:
Cables used on a
stage are required by the
NEC to be Extra Hard Service (Type S or better), so no extension cords from the hardware store.
The parallel blade
U-ground "
Edison"
connector is only rated for 15 amps at 120 volts, so no more than 1800 watts can run through any one
connector.
Many 4-pack "
shoebox" dimmers say they are 4x1000 or 4x600 watts, but can only run 1800 total watts safely.
Tell us more about the set-up, sketches and drawings are good, and we'll be able to help further. Contacting a qualified professional, possibly from the nearby university or professional
theatre, is great advice. If you are renting the lights (and sometimes, even if you're not), your
local friendly lighting vendor will be able to provide excellent advice.
