question about distro boxes

[Patryk_Rebisz]

I'm trying to educate myself a bit more about power distribution so i don't sound like an idiot in front of my gaffer (because quite frankly power distribution is a bit of a mystery for me).

So i have 300a distro connected through pigtails to the genny.
From it i have (3) 100A outputs.
The outputs run to lunch boxes that have edison outlets (20A) and 100A feed-thru.

My questions is can i connect a light to the feed-thru output (100A) of the lunch box? What if the light is 60A, do i get 100A-to-(2)60A splitter?

BTW, i have no interest doing any of this myself - i have pros doing it - i just want to understand more when the gaffers pout together their gear lists.

 

[edinc90]

The 100A stage pin (aka Bates) can be split to two 60A Bates, just like you assumed. Here's a link to a splitter: http://www.barndoorlighting.com/100a-60a-splitter-bates-stage-pin.html

Now, of course you shouldn't load both 60A Bates with the full 60A because 60 + 60 = 120, which is over the limit of the 100A Bates. Your electrician will know that though.

If you're interested in learning more about this, check out Harry C. Box's book Set Lighting Technician's Handbook. It goes over every piece of equipment in detail. It also provides info about distro, generator loading, and rigging.

 

[RyanT]

The other thing to remember is that if you go through the Flo-thru, remember what your limiting factor is. In this case it would be the 100a bates feeding the box, so even though you have 2 60a outs and 5 20a circuits, you can still only pull a combined 100a off that setup before you trip the upstream breaker.

 

[j]

> If you're interested in learning more about this, check out Harry C. Box's book Set Lighting Technician's Handbook. It goes over every piece of equipment in detail. It also provides info about distro, generator loading, and rigging.

+1

Get this book, read it and know it. Any gaffer/best boy with experience on set will know everything in this book. It may seem overwhelming at first glance, but if you want to operate at a professional level (and you do...) then you should have all this stuff in your head.