suggestions for blown fuses

[908media]

Hi,

I've had this issue with the last few locations that I've shot in:
-After plugging in my light kit [in different sockets], I've blown the fuses.
-Their usually in commerical locations [bars, cafes, etc.]

A friend in a band told me that there is a device that you can plug everything into
without blowing any fuses. Several local bands use it.

-Does this device really exist?
-What else can I do to prevent this?

Thanks for any help.

Ken

 

[Sidney Tawl]

"there is a device that you can plug everything into
without blowing any fuses. Several local bands use it."



Quick Course on electricity.

A 1000 watt lamp draws 10 PAPER AMPS. USE PAPER AMPS for Safety, When you learn about electricity and cable runs etc, then you can learn to use the real pulls.

a 650 Watt light pulls 6.5 PAPER AMPS (see how this works)Divide the wattage by 100 for the amperage.

Now most circuits are 20 AMPS and some in industrial locatins can be 30, but you have to ask if they have a house electrician.

A way to avoid blowing circuits and MAYBE they are pulling your leg and talking about one of these as the device.

They might be talking about those devices you can buy that you plug in mulitiple things I call them POWER BARS (you probably know them as power strips). They usually have a CIRCUIT BREAKER built in. This trips at 15 AMPS. SO you don't blow a circuit. THis may be what they are talking about. Its a safe way to keep from tripping breakers, and if you're blowing real FUSES then that can be a problem for the house. They aren't expensive, but you have to have them on hand. I bet this is what they are talking about.

However if you are blowing 20 amp ciruits you are still going to trip a 15amp power strip.

Note that because you are plugging into different outlets does NOT mean that each one has 20 amps. Usually a 20 0r 30 amp ciruit will have several outlets. Only way to know is ask the house, or you have to test to find out which outlets tie to which breaker.

Sometimes there are dedicated cirucits with only one outlet. Like in your house the washing machine and the refrigerator will be on a SINGLE 15 or 20 amp circuit.


A pro ALWAYS when possible does a SITE SURVEY to find out about these things before showing up. This lets you know where all the outlets are and if they will you can test (turn on and off breakers with a radio or something plugged in to know when that device is turned off or on. Then try other outlets with the device and see if they are on that circuit.

These are the very quick basics. Electricity is DANGEROUS. I see people that shouldn't TIE IN to the mains. Quick way to die or blow off an arm. I DON"T TIE IN. Its my choice. If its needed I hire someone to do. Then I stand there with a wood board in case I need to push him off the mains if his hand slips and screwdriver or other tool gets across the hots.