Stage Lighting

[paulytrick]

Hi all,

Got myself some stage lighting to pat test in a small village hall.

I've never done any before so I'm after a bit of advice.
Is there anything I need to look out for?
Do they need any sort of safety wire for example to stop them crashing to earth in the event of them falling?
If so, should the entire gantry be supported or each individual light?

Obviously I will check the overall condition of the lights and controller, I just don't want to miss anything out.

Thanks for any advice,

Paul.

 

[i=p/u]

if you dint think there safe , you could say the need more support, but only yourself can tell, just remember bulbs out

 

[paulytrick]

if you dint think there safe , you could say the need more support, but only yourself can tell, just remember bulbs out

Thanks for that.
I've looked on the net to see if I can find any requirements for a safety wire but I can't find much info. just people trying to flog stage lighting.
If they pass the visual/electrical tests and they seem secure I'll pass them.
I guess common sense prevails again.

Paul.

 

[i=p/u]

you could make up your own supports with catenary wire ormsomething qalong them lines, which i think would need to be earthed aswell?????? hold fire have cup of tea, someone else could maybe give you better idea

 

[Adam W]

Yes, they should be supported by a hook clamp, with a safety wire which attaches to the luminaire, goes around the pipe and attaches with a karibiner. I think it used to be that anything less than 25kg could use a chain, but from memory that changed a few years ago.
You would more than likely need a 13A plug to 15A socket adapter to be able to plug into your tester.
I wouldn't take the lamps out, chances are your tester automatically does a type 2 test anyway.

 

[i=p/u]

there you go vit more info to fry the noggin, just pat test them and offer to support them if you think needed. suppose the less you touch the better

 

[Adam W]

I'd get them to take all the lights down and line them up before you get there, then you don't have to worry too much about how they're rigged.

 

[paulytrick]

Thanks for the info guys.

I'd get them to take all the lights down and line them up before you get there, then you don't have to worry too much about how they're rigged.

Sadly not an option. The guy I'm dealing with is getting on a bit and I wouldn't feel safe about sending him up a scaffold to retrieve 40-50 stage lights.

I'll test em where they are and check for support.
If none is present I'll deal with it.

Yes, they should be supported by a hook clamp, with a safety wire which attaches to the luminaire, goes around the pipe and attaches with a karibiner. I think it used to be that anything less than 25kg could use a chain, but from memory that changed a few years ago.
You would more than likely need a 13A plug to 15A socket adapter to be able to plug into your tester.
I wouldn't take the lamps out, chances are your tester automatically does a type 2 test anyway.

you say they should be supported by a hook. is that the same as MUST be?


Thanks again,

Paul

 

[Adam W]

Basically, yes. Otherwise I don't see how else you would hold them in place.

 

[paulytrick]

Basically, yes. Otherwise I don't see how else you would hold them in place.

Thanks Novus, appreciated.

 

[rsmck]

Hook clamp and there should always be a secondary attachment to the bar - usually a 'safey bond' - chains were used a lot in the past although most venues won't accept anything without a stamped SWL on it which is normally a rated safety wire. Existing chains don't need to be replaced but no new lighting will be supplied with them.

As long as you've just got generic lanterns the lamps shouldn't be a problem and can be left in. If you've got any 'intelligent' lights (e.g. LED based fixtures or moving lights) then these should be tested in a similar way to IT equipment.

p.s. hook clamp is the normal way, there are other ways of attaching lights (e.g. "boom bars" and simply bolted through the yoke to a permanent position on the rig depending on the type of venue)

 

[paulytrick]

well, the PAT test went well. All the lighting had safety chains and the only problems i encountered and remedied were with extension leads elsewhere in the building.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[rsmck]

Nice to find an electrician (not a specialist one) that's happy to test this kit ... most people run a mile when they see the 15A plugtops

 

[paulytrick]

Nice to find an electrician (not a specialist one) that's happy to test this kit ... most people run a mile when they see the 15A plugtops

It made a change from the usual office/grimey workshop