MrJustin Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hello all, Im about to being touring with a lighting/video install where the lighting uses a hardwired dimmer pack. (NJD 12 channel dimmer) and I want a plug/socketi can wire in btween the dimmer pack and the lighting units so I dont have to keep opening up the dimmer and hardwiring in each time or have to use screw in termina block.. any recommendations? I was thinking something along the lines of what's in the picture attched, but obviously insulated, but I dont know what it's called or what to search for (CPC?) http://www.meno.tv/share/plug.jpg Justin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maeterlinck Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 I'd suggest doing it properly and using some form of multi pin connector like socapex or harting / lectiflex designed to do the job. Crimp terminals are meant to be used inside equipment and aren't designed for repeated connection / disconnection. If budgets are tight someone like used lighting.com or ac lightings used list might help you pick up some cheaper bits. As always mains voltages are dangerous so if you're unsure then ask someone who isn't (unsure or dangerous) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olit Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 I certainly would not recommend the use of a crimp receptacle for this purpose. Whilst install dimmers are in fact made to be installed, I have seen a few people modify them to be used as a portable piece, But be aware if you modify something away from it's intended purpose you will void the warranty and maybe your own insurance as you are not using the piece as intended. However as I said I have seen this done before, to do the job properly you really need to have some flex from the inside connection panel pass through a compression grommet/gland mounted on the metal outer case then terminate the cable with an acceptable socket such as a 15amp Roundpin or 16a Cee Form. HTH Oli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tow Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Better to use IEC (Kettle) plugs and sockets, as the NJD 12 dimmer can only handle about 600w per channel, when using halogen lamps. They cost less and reduce the chance of someone pluging 1Kw lamp in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior8 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 I assume you have no choice but to tour with this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJustin Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Better to use IEC (Kettle) plugs and sockets, as the NJD 12 dimmer can only handle about 600w per channel, when using halogen lamps. They cost less and reduce the chance of someone pluging 1Kw lamp in. yep thats what im starting to think... 16a ceeform seems a bit overkill (and bulky, and expensive) @ Junior8.... well we always have choice, right??!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomHoward Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 It's worth paying for the IEC terminals with screw terminals, as the cheaper ones can be terrible to terminate and not very robust. For the female end, you could just cut the plugs off IEC leads and wire them into the dimmer (through a proper gland that takes the strain) to avoid having to wire both plugs. The cheaper 16A are probably one of the cheapest connectors as well - probably not quite as cheap as IEC but cheaper than 15A. What connectors do your lights have on them already? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 PANEL5, PANEL6, PANEL7, PANEL8, F32, F31 from http://www.terralec.co.uk will offer you possibilities for building a cased unit with the dimmer inside and panels on the outside all ready for touring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteg Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 MTX Engineering are very good for this too. They custom fabricated some 2U panels for me - mixed 15A/5 pin XLR/32A - at a very good price. http://www.mtxengineering.co.uk/ Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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