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Author Topic: Lamphouse Wiring Barry Floyd Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1079 From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 08-18-2003 09:57 AM                        I've got to go pick up the wire today that will run from the rectifier to the lamphouse. My "tech" told me to get "DC cables". What an I susposed to get? My rectifier is a Kniesly "Kni-tron" (4kw), and my lamphouse is a 4kw Xenex II. I've looked in both manuals, but neither specify what type or size of wire. The electrical contractor is NOT hooking up the projection equipment, the tech is. Any help would be appreciated.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-18-2003 10:15 AM                     You can use welding cable probably #1 but specifie that it needs to have an insulation rating of 600volts to be UL approvable (it is often reffered to as "Entertainment Cable" now It is for use in free air only so a fiberglass sleeve (alpha makes those) should be put over it The other type is a fiberglass braided teflon cable  |  IP: Logged Barry Floyd Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1079 From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 08-18-2003 10:20 AM                        quote: It is for use in free air only so a fiberglass sleeve (alpha makes those) should be put over it Are you saying that it shouldn't be in a "liquid-tight" conduit running from the rectifier to the lamp? The manuals also mention a "GREENFIELD fitting"... what the heck is that?  |  IP: Logged Ken Layton Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1452 From: Olympia, Wash. USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 08-18-2003 10:28 AM                     Greenfield is another term for flex conduit.  |  IP: Logged Peter Hall Master Film Handler Posts: 314 From: London, UK Registered: Dec 2000 posted 08-18-2003 11:10 AM                        It's DC so we'd reccomend stranded cable rather than solid - it's more suitable for high I DC and keeps inductance to a minimum.. Reccomemd minimum of 16mm diameter..  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 08-18-2003 12:08 PM                     For 4KW lamps, #2 awg should suffice. As Gord said, use "welding" cable. It has a high-strand count and is suitable for DC. It is also often available in Black and Red (or orange). As to the covering...I always use Greenfield (metallic flexible) or "sealtite" for the rectifier to lamphouse run. Steve  |  IP: Logged Will Kutler Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1506 From: Tucson, AZ, USA Registered: Feb 2001 posted 08-18-2003 12:16 PM                     Gord and Steve are correct. But keep this rule in mind: it never hurts to use a larger guage cable/wire...or one that is larger than necessary. But by anymeans, do not use an underrated cable. This rule can apply to any type of electrical circuit.  |  IP: Logged Barry Floyd Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1079 From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 08-18-2003 01:17 PM                        I checked with the electrical parts house in Nashville, and they don't carry anything that big. They could order it, but it would take 7-10 days. I called Kniesley direct, and spoke with someone there. They had the cable in-stock, and said it would be #4 SMRL. I ordered it directly from them, and they will custom manufacture it to the length I require, complete with the cable ends ready to hook up. I thought the price would end up being outrageous, but it wasn't really that bad. Thanks everyone for your help.  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 08-18-2003 05:15 PM                       A welding supply house would've had it.  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 08-18-2003 10:54 PM                     And if you ordered that cable from Kneisley, make sure you get a UL Certification and specifications with it. Without it, the electrical inspector could refuse to "sign you off" until the documents are produced.  |  IP: Logged Rick Long Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 759 From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Registered: Nov 1999 posted 08-18-2003 11:20 PM                     Post deleted due to placement in worng topic. [ 08-19-2003, 07:50 PM: Message edited by: Rick Long ]  |  IP: Logged William H. Ward Film Handler Posts: 27 From: SAn Antonio, Texas Registered: Jul 2003 posted 08-20-2003 10:34 AM                     Ever hear of "motion picture cable"? It was very fine stranded copper wire with, above all things, asbestos insulation. It is very flexible and came in sizes of #6 to 4-Ought. I am sure they have done away with the asbestos and most likley went to a safer cover. I worked with that type of cable for many years and never had any kind of problem.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-20-2003 12:49 PM                     Asbestoes covered cable is illegal in canada and most theatre insurance forms have a clause requireing its removal  |  IP: Logged William Hooper Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1879 From: Mobile, AL USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-22-2003 01:03 AM                         |  IP: Logged

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