Portable Lighting Kits (Dangerous?)

[Bootay]

I just came across this list for a 'Portable Drama Lighting Kit'...

 

6 x 500w Fresnel lanterns with lamps, filter holders, & plugs (Strand or Selecon etc.)

4 x 500w Profile lanterns with lamps, filter holders, & plugs (Strand or Selecon etc.)

2 x Zero88 Alphapack controllers with stand mounting brackets

2 x 3.5m high lighting stands with top bars

1 x Zero88 Level 6 hand controller

1 x 10m long low voltage control cable

1 x 25m long low voltage control cable

1 x Colour magic filter kit.

 

This company also states that it "Operates from standard 13A outlets"

 

Now, correct me if I'm wrong but if you are operating 2.5Kw from an Alphapack via a 13A socket you are going end up with either (or both) the Alphapack being overloaded/tripping out and a VERY warm 13A Plug!

 

Considering these are primarily aimed at Schools and Am Dram Societies is this not grossly irresponsible?

[Ekij]

2500W @ 230V is 10.8A which is <13A.

I don't see the problem.

[Tom Baldwin]

1) Alpha packs have a very elegant soft current limit to 13A (UK factory set)

2) in any case, 2.5kW is less than the available current from a single 13A socket, external factors (such as high ring loading, low upstream breaker etc) excluded

 

You're panicking; there's nothing wrong with this.

[Bootay]

external factors (such as high ring loading, low upstream breaker etc) excluded

 

Would a School or Am Dram Soc know if they are using the same ring?

[Sound In Gloucestershire]

Would a School or Am Dram Soc know if they are using the same ring?

 

also would the aforementioned School or Am Dram soc know not to put their fingers into the plug sockets?

*Sarcasm*

 

whats the problem here? It safely fits into a 13Amp Socket. The venues power requirements are not their problem. Perhaps retailers should only sell 1000w Par 64's in quantities of 1's or 2's, incase someone bought ten and plugged them into one socket???

[bruce]

Now, correct me if I'm wrong but if you are operating 2.5Kw from an Alphapack via a 13A socket you are going end up with either (or both) the Alphapack being overloaded/tripping out and a VERY warm 13A Plug!

 

You're wrong.

 

 

Would a School or Am Dram Soc know if they are using the same ring?

So how is this different from any other piece of electrical equipment? Kettles? Floor cleaners?

 

If they overload the ring, the fuse/breaker will trip.

[Kazeja]

Only problem I can see is how you're going to plug 10 lamps into only 6 sockets.

 

Or perhaps there's something to cater for this on the stands?

[MarkPAman]

Only problem I can see is how you're going to plug 10 lamps into only 6 sockets.

6 x 500w Fresnel lanterns with lamps, filter holders, & plugs (Strand or Selecon etc.)

4 x 500w Profile lanterns with lamps, filter holders, & plugs (Strand or Selecon etc.)

2 x Zero88 Alphapack controllers with stand mounting brackets

2 x 3.5m high lighting stands with top bars

1 x Zero88 Level 6 hand controller

1 x 10m long low voltage control cable

1 x 25m long low voltage control cable

1 x Colour magic filter kit.

 

[pritch]

2 x Zero88 Alphapack controllers with stand mounting brackets

 

At three sockets per Alphapack...

[bruce]

I believe there is an alphapack variant with 6xIEC sockets. Thanks Mark for pointing this out.