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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Joey Breaux on May 17, 2014, 11:14:04 AM
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I don't know what you call these things.....I want to build (4-6) 2-gang plastic electrical boxes. Instead of hard-wiring them together to encircle the stage area, I want to connect them with 12ga 10' or 20' extension cords.
I prefer plastic boxes because I KNOW they will be thrown around.
Inside wiring will be 12ga. Does it require stranded or solid wire? Is there a specific box I should use?
Is there some reason NOT to do this?
Thanks,
Joey
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I don't know what you call these things.....I want to build (4-6) 2-gang plastic electrical boxes. Instead of hard-wiring them together to encircle the stage area, I want to connect them with 12ga 10' or 20' extension cords.
I prefer plastic boxes because I KNOW they will be thrown around.
Inside wiring will be 12ga. Does it require stranded or solid wire? Is there a specific box I should use?
Is there some reason NOT to do this?
Thanks,
Joey
Hey !
These are called quad boxes and in certain places, you will need to be UL compliant. The cable or wire shall be flexible for mobile theatre use. You have to follow the NEC code somehow. I strongly recommend you to ask a certified electrician contractor to build them for you with a 508a sticker on them just in case !
Ot
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I don't know what you call these things.....I want to build (4-6) 2-gang plastic electrical boxes. Instead of hard-wiring them together to encircle the stage area, I want to connect them with 12ga 10' or 20' extension cords.
I prefer plastic boxes because I KNOW they will be thrown around.
Inside wiring will be 12ga. Does it require stranded or solid wire? Is there a specific box I should use?
Is there some reason NOT to do this?
Just go here: http://www.oawindsor.com (http://www.oawindsor.com)
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Just go here: http://www.oawindsor.com (http://www.oawindsor.com)
A company I work with just bought some of this stuff.
Very...very good quality!
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Well it seems that there are a lot of regulations on these things. I think it'd be more "prudent", to quote George W, to buy what I want. Here is the closest thing I've found: http://www.ebay.com/itm/PowerCon-Rubber-Quad-Box-Power-Distribution-Twist-Lock-Distro-link-/161145073029?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2584fead85 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/PowerCon-Rubber-Quad-Box-Power-Distribution-Twist-Lock-Distro-link-/161145073029?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2584fead85)
But I'd rather use standard 12ga extension cords than Powercon cables. Is there a reason to use Powercon instead of extension cords?
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But I'd rather use standard 12ga extension cords than Powercon cables. Is there a reason to use Powercon instead of extension cords?
They don't come unplugged.
Mac
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They don't come unplugged.
Mac
Mac,
Most "good" Edisons I've used are fairly difficult to seat and also unplug...but I understand the sentiment.
PowerCons are good; I've have few issues with the ones I've made.
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Mac,
Most "good" Edisons I've used are fairly difficult to seat and also unplug...but I understand the sentiment.
PowerCons are good; I've have few issues with the ones I've made.
I find both Edison and IEC connectors come unplugged fairly easily. Both inside hard to access racks, and laying on the ground in a portable power distribution system. Someone always finds a way to trip over a stray cable loop and yank the connector out.
There are also no exposed blades on a Powercon.
Mac
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What is a "508a" sticker?
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What is a "508a" sticker?
Canadian approval. Hydro Ontario maybe?
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Well it seems that there are a lot of regulations on these things. I think it'd be more "prudent", to quote George W, to buy what I want. Here is the closest thing I've found: http://www.ebay.com/itm/PowerCon-Rubber-Quad-Box-Power-Distribution-Twist-Lock-Distro-link-/161145073029?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2584fead85 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/PowerCon-Rubber-Quad-Box-Power-Distribution-Twist-Lock-Distro-link-/161145073029?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2584fead85)
But I'd rather use standard 12ga extension cords than Powercon cables. Is there a reason to use Powercon instead of extension cords?
The Whirlwind powercon stringers are steel boxes, and have UL approval.
http://whirlwindusa.com/catalog/power-electrical-distribution/edison-boxes/pl1-420-bk
(http://whirlwindusa.com/media/uploads/edison_blk.jpg)
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The Whirlwind powercon stringers are steel boxes, and have UL approval.
http://whirlwindusa.com/catalog/power-electrical-distribution/edison-boxes/pl1-420-bk
(http://whirlwindusa.com/media/uploads/edison_blk.jpg)
Whirlwind, Lex, and Motion labs all make this stuff. I really like the idea of the powercon quad box. Though it is not a catalog item, Lex sells a 50' ruberized quad box for under a 150 bucks... with UL approval and proper SOOW 12/3 cable.
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Canadian approval. Hydro Ontario maybe?
Sorry for not being more specific. 508a stands for UL 508a witch is the panel builder liscense that allow you to build such electrical panels.
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/PowerCon-Rubber-Quad-Box-Power-Distribution-Twist-Lock-Distro-link-/161145073029?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2584fead85 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/PowerCon-Rubber-Quad-Box-Power-Distribution-Twist-Lock-Distro-link-/161145073029?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2584fead85)
That appears to be the OAWindsor box, which you can buy direct last I heard.