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having 'hanging' lights on the floor


benweblight

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was doing a show the other day where I had an old strand profile lying on the floor, lighting a piano (in the absence of any kind of stand). when I turned it on one of the other ops made me turn it off, saying "you can't have hanging lights on the floor, they fuse"

 

is there any truth to this? I've never heard/read anything about it before, but maybe its just me, I would'nt like to think I was doing something unsafe

 

ps: the other problem of people tripping over it was not an issue here

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There is no electrical reason not to put a profile or any other light on the floor, or anywhere else you can safely rig it. The unit itself doesn't know where it is after all.

 

You say it was lying on the floor - was it correctly orientated (i.e. the same way round it would be if it was hanging from a bar). Older lamps liked to be the right way up - this is less of (not?) a problem with modern lamps like those used in source 4s. (Somebody else will be along to provide the correct lamp technology terms for all this shortly no doubt).

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Couple of issues.

 

1) T class lamps should be run "base down +- 90 degrees" (normally) and with NO tilt side to side.

 

2) The lantern should be clear of any combustible (or meltable) surface. A short stand should be used. Try welding a hook clamp upsidedown on a 200-300mm lump of RSJ. Works very well!

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Well as long as it was tilted along it's normal tilt axis (as it would be if hanging from a bar) it would have been fine. Turning them on their side tends to shorten the lamp life. However, it is often done in order to achieve a tricky focus (particularly if you are having to out rig the unit for some reason) and you can usually get away with it for a bit.
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Brian Legge told me that was one of the original ideas behind the drop handle when I saw the first ones - I have to agree that the cable exit rather spoils a neat idea - but they do sit on the floor quite well - the silicon being quite slim and 'bendy'.
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