AlexFade Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Basically I have a projector to put in a lighting grid rather than run extentions can I just put an adapter on my projecters plug put it into a 15 amp socket then at the pay bay change the socket from a 15 amp ro a amp 13 amp and plug it into a 13 amp socket next to the patchbay. Would there be a problem with this? I thought I should check as I dont really know much about the electronic side of things.
jonathanhill Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Sounds like a sensible idea to change the plug at the patch bay end so that it cannot be inadvertently plugged into a dimmer with dire consequences. Label the projector plug as well just to be sure.
emsgeorge Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 There shouldnt be - you are giving it 'hard power' from a normal 13a outlet. But you should fuse the 13a plug at 5a - as the plugs (and maybe cabling, depending on how old the install is) are only rated for 5a. I do assume here that its not a monster of a projector - and draws less than 5a !!!
Oovis Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 But you should fuse the 13a plug at 5a - as the plugs (and maybe cabling, depending on how old the install is) are only rated for 5a.How do you work that out from the OP, then? :P
emsgeorge Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Ooops - read it as 5a, not 15a !!!. Must have eyes checked !!!!! OP - scrub that, leave it at 13a or whatever its rated as!!
Brian Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Sounds like a sensible idea to change the plug at the patch bay end so that it cannot be inadvertently plugged into a dimmer ...Or just wrap them in LX tape.
dmoffat Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 This is all assuming you are getting a qualified electrician to do the rewiring, and ensure it is is PAT certified before use. I don't mean to be boring, but do need to at least point out the rules. Also some theatres have some 15A hard power, so it may be worth talking to the venue, as it could save you having to rewire anything. But I don't think it can be stressed enough just how much it must be well marked, so the projector is not dimmed...
tom_the_LD Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Yep this is fine and seems a sensible solution, just don't dim it. Changing the plug and labelling it projector also seems to make sense! I usually do this when I have other sources which require hard power in the grid such as LED PAR's, gobo rotators and scrollers PSU's. Also, make sure the projector plug has LX tape round it, along with the socket it's plugged into, so people do not accidentally plug the projector into a different grid socket and try and dim it!
Davethsparky Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 This is all assuming you are getting a qualified electrician to do the rewiring, and ensure it is is PAT certified before use. I don't mean to be boring, but do need to at least point out the rules. Also some theatres have some 15A hard power, so it may be worth talking to the venue, as it could save you having to rewire anything. But I don't think it can be stressed enough just how much it must be well marked, so the projector is not dimmed... Shouldn't need a pat test as the patch panel is part of a fixed install. And it doesn't really need to be a qualified spark to change a plug, just someone who has been suitably trained.
johnhuson Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 This is all assuming you are getting a qualified electrician to do the rewiringWhy? There really is no need to use a qualified electrician to change a plug or make up some adapters. EDIT Beaten to it again!
dmoffat Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 This is all assuming you are getting a qualified electrician to do the rewiringWhy? There really is no need to use a qualified electrician to change a plug or make up some adapters. EDIT Beaten to it again! Ok fair point. Just standing on the side of caution, and I've been told so many times I'm not allowed to re-wire a plug as that would void the pat.
Davethsparky Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Ok fair point. Just standing on the side of caution, and I've been told so many times I'm not allowed to re-wire a plug as that would void the pat. Normally an appliance would be pat tested after it's plug has been changed as a way of proving that it has been done correctly and is safe to use. However a pat test only proves that an appliance was safe at the time of the test, it doesn't gaurantee its safety for any period of time. So it follows logically that you cannot void a pat certificate by modifying an appliance because it doesn't change what condition the appliance was in at the time of the test. A pat test wouldn't be appropriate in this situation because the patch cord forms part of the fixed installation. It could be argued that you should complete a minor works certificate for this, but I'm sure the vast majority of people would just change the plug and get on with it.
Brian Posted March 21, 2009 Posted March 21, 2009 Would there be a problem with this?This is all getting needlessly complicated. Use an adaptor at the projector end and another adaptor at the patch end. Job done.
AlexFade Posted March 24, 2009 Author Posted March 24, 2009 He guys Ive just put a converter on the kettle lead to sockett and an changed th 15 amp socket, works great! thanks for the advice!
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