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[David Allred]

The fixtures are ADJ Mega Hex Par x4 on a T-bar.  These have a plastic housing and use IEC power inlets.  The supplied power cables are bulky and stiff.  I what to clean up the current routing scheme and use SJ cable for the tie-in drops along the bar to allow more flexibility.  For increased flexibility and reduction in build time I would like to use 2 conductor SJ.  Is there an actual reason to need the ground for these fixtures?
Electrical Danger?
DMX malfunction?

Thanks,
David

[Tim McCulloch]

The fixtures are ADJ Mega Hex Par x4 on a T-bar.  These have a plastic housing and use IEC power inlets.  The supplied power cables are bulky and stiff.  I what to clean up the current routing scheme and use SJ cable for the tie-in drops along the bar to allow more flexibility.  For increased flexibility and reduction in build time I would like to use 2 conductor SJ.  Is there an actual reason to need the ground for these fixtures?
Electrical Danger?
DMX malfunction?

Thanks,
David

If equipped with an equipment grounding connection, then use a grounded 3 conductor cable.  I'm not sure any of us are willing to speculate in an open forum.

[Daniel Levi]

If it has a 3 prong inlet connetor then you use 3 core cable to a proper 3 prong/earthed connectors, no iffs or buts, though if you could guarntee the lack of a earth (it could be a technical earth for RFI supression) and change the connetors to a two prong version you could then use two conductor cable, but it would not really be worth it.

[Brian Jojade]

Will it work with 2 conductor cable? Yes.  Is it a good idea to ignore ground? Nope.

Ground conductors are there for unexpected failures.  While the risk is small, failures can result in DEATH.  Is it worth saving a couple mm of cable for that risk??

[Stephen Swaffer]

At my day job, one of the first questions asked when discussing a safety question is "What does the manufacturer say?"  In this case, "they" said it needed a ground and put a 3 wire cord on it-so that has to be the answer, for liability reasons if nothing else.

[Dave Garoutte]

you can probably use a fairly light gage, as the current draw is pretty low.

[David Allred]

you can probably use a fairly light gage, as the current draw is pretty low.

Probably going that route.  22 awg rates for 3 amps, only requires  1/4 amp max per drop.  Even if I need to piggyback thru a fixture in a pinch, I'll have plenty of power available.

[John Roberts {JR}]

Are you asking about ignoring the "equipment safety ground"? 

What could possibly go wrong?

JR

[Steve-White]

Are you asking about ignoring the "equipment safety ground"? 

What could possibly go wrong?

JR

+1 on this one - do not omit ground wire.  Never ever.

[Chris Hindle]

You can be sure that if the manufacturer didn't NEED to use 3 wire, they would have used 2.
To me, it's as simple as that. Liability, safety, and insurance issues down the road are a scary thing to deal with if you don't have to.
Chris.

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