200 amp 3 phase supply is a very standard business in an industrial setting electrical service. Going forward theatrical equipment power needs are moving in the direction of lower requirements. We have gone from the days where 1000watt FEL's were the "standard" to 575 -750 today.
So as with all things it really comes down to cost, it might be interesting to get an estimate on a 400 amp service and compare the differential.
Cam Lok is pretty standard for PORTABLE type of install, typically where you might have a production that is bringing in a a significant set of outside gear for the event. Most of these setups come in the typical 100 amp 3 phase, 200 amp and then 400 amp. If I had my preference it would be for a clean 200 amp three phase service and have the HVAC connected indepentantly. Main reason is that as a personal preference I would rather have a dedicated panel. Just as you saw in your early posting was it 60 amp or 40 amp etc. In addition TYPICALLY if there is a single phase panel for the "rest" it is going to be derived from the building service, since it is pretty rare to have both a three phase and single supply to the BUILDING, it is more typical to have three phase supply and then split off a single phase panel and then a 3 phase panel, SO the likely hood is that at the main feed to the building there is more than 200 amps.
So IMO if you want to have equipment that you or someone else rolls in and out then a Cam Lok setup has the advantage of industry standard connection. If you are really only looking at using your own gear, then direct wired in is more typical.
The fixed rack solution is typically more cost effective BUT does require more planning to make sure your dimming circuits are where you need them for the productions you are going to do.
For small highly variable productions I tend to use Portable Packs so I can add what dimming I need to where I need it. In the past typically the need was for 2400 watts per channel, but these days IMO 1200 watts/per channel is more common with 48 channels total being pretty common for my needs in a small situation.
I have tended to use more LED's these days for saturated colors, reducing the need for high watt pars. A lot of the somewhat large dimmer setups in the past were needed to support the high number of pars all at say 1000 watts and each with a dedicated color. While LED's today are not good for everything, they do have a place in saturated colors IMO and these don't need any dedicated dimmer. This also has tended to support my move to using portable packs. As an aside the move to lower wattage instruments also will reduce the capacity requirement for the HVAC system, so longer term you wind up with lower Electric bills, lower HVC requirements etc. Granted we are not there yet for total deployment of LED's but progress is being made.
Sharyn
So as with all things it really comes down to cost, it might be interesting to get an estimate on a 400 amp service and compare the differential.
Cam Lok is pretty standard for PORTABLE type of install, typically where you might have a production that is bringing in a a significant set of outside gear for the event. Most of these setups come in the typical 100 amp 3 phase, 200 amp and then 400 amp. If I had my preference it would be for a clean 200 amp three phase service and have the HVAC connected indepentantly. Main reason is that as a personal preference I would rather have a dedicated panel. Just as you saw in your early posting was it 60 amp or 40 amp etc. In addition TYPICALLY if there is a single phase panel for the "rest" it is going to be derived from the building service, since it is pretty rare to have both a three phase and single supply to the BUILDING, it is more typical to have three phase supply and then split off a single phase panel and then a 3 phase panel, SO the likely hood is that at the main feed to the building there is more than 200 amps.
So IMO if you want to have equipment that you or someone else rolls in and out then a Cam Lok setup has the advantage of industry standard connection. If you are really only looking at using your own gear, then direct wired in is more typical.
The fixed rack solution is typically more cost effective BUT does require more planning to make sure your dimming circuits are where you need them for the productions you are going to do.
For small highly variable productions I tend to use Portable Packs so I can add what dimming I need to where I need it. In the past typically the need was for 2400 watts per channel, but these days IMO 1200 watts/per channel is more common with 48 channels total being pretty common for my needs in a small situation.
I have tended to use more LED's these days for saturated colors, reducing the need for high watt pars. A lot of the somewhat large dimmer setups in the past were needed to support the high number of pars all at say 1000 watts and each with a dedicated color. While LED's today are not good for everything, they do have a place in saturated colors IMO and these don't need any dedicated dimmer. This also has tended to support my move to using portable packs. As an aside the move to lower wattage instruments also will reduce the capacity requirement for the HVAC system, so longer term you wind up with lower Electric bills, lower HVC requirements etc. Granted we are not there yet for total deployment of LED's but progress is being made.
Sharyn