ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Full Moon Music Festival

Well they did it to me...

I found out today... with 9 days and counting to finish... that the show lighting will require 240V 200A... not sure how they will be split up... 10 20A 240V circuits?... Don't know yet....

The service I'm working on tomorrow for it only has a 25KVa Xformer. There is a 50KVa about 500 feet away...

It is going to be a miracle if I pull this off.

The sound wants 6 20A circuits that does not share the pole(s) with any other non-sound circuit. So figure 100A at 120V for them (80% of 20A x 6= 96A)

This doesn't include any ambient/security/convenience lighting or any of the concessions.

The show has been moved to a new location since the last time I mentioned the festival...

My questions are many...

Is SOW cable my only option? ($$$$$$$$$)
Can I run Schedule 80 PVC on the surface of the ground? (with THWN) How do I secure it?
What other options do I have for exposed wet location cable? UF? (Subject to probable physical damage)

This will be a Temporary Wiring situation, under NEC Chapters 305 and 525.

I have 9 days.... It wasn't my fault...
But this whole $50,000 investment is riding on my shoulders to produce a miracle. And they're giving me a whopping $700 to start with tomorrow.

(Plus I'm roughing in a house for a GC I want to impress!)

How much headroom do I have with a 25KVa Xformer? 108A @ 240V?

Boy... if the lighting was 120V for 200A I'd be set...

Gaffer's nightmare? (Did I get the name right this time?)

Plus my band plays a 1-1/2 hour set on Friday night there...

You might see what kind of lighting they have. Have they given you any example fixtures?? Is there a possibility that the fixtures can be retapped to operate on 120V?
There's also a good chance that they still haven't told you what they really have, may not know themselves.
I was at the Orange County Fair here on Wed night. They had plain old 3 wire extension cords run everywhere.
Is the generator option viable? They could rent one. Don't let them drive you nuts or get to you in their heat of the moment fervor.

"They promised me a gold mine...but I only got the shaft"


[This message has been edited by electure (edited 07-27-2001).]

Sparky,

"Rubber mats" work well to protect cables on ground. Look in your Wiremold catalog. Cat. no. BK1200-10. They come in ten foot sections. There is a little raceway you can place your cables in. There is a slight "hump" on top. People will be protected if they accidentally walk on it.

This may be cost prohibitive to you...

You may get away with using the 25 KVA transformer. The load for sound systems etc. never seems to be as much as they ask for.

Frank

OK... what about the "lying PVC Pipe on the ground" idea? It works out to be a little cheaper than SOW...

Keep in mind that most around here would lay some romex down and call it good...

I'll have to get some pics today to show you some of the other "acceptable" wiring there...

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 07-27-2001).]

Virgil;
pvc w/use is a thought. maybe you could lay the pvc down , 2/3 buried so as to keep it visible yet not a trip hazard. Then you could run the pvc unglued, so as to reclaim it afterwards. Are there sub-panels? A run of #6 triplex with a 4th #6 wrapped around it fed via 50A GFI breaker may be cheaper...
you won't get quadriplex on short notice
beware, a 'tent' has been argued as a structure ( 250-32)
if this is a yearly event that you could make good on, rent annually what is not permanent and U may make back much mored $$$$ than U have put out in the first place.

The lighting guys insist on atleast 150A at 240V... They want 50KVA... I'm going to rent a genny for the lights and run the sound (and auxillary string lights) off of the temp UG 200A panel (25KVA Xformer).

The light guys have a load center that connects to the genny... and they prefer 3 phase. Drop a G-rod, hook up the load, and done deal. Quiet-Run Diesel 50KW is about $400... 1/3 the cost of the 4/0 SOW it would have taken for the job...

The sound will get their dedicated buss...

And I'm a hero...maybe...

Next disaster please...



Steve, I'm seriously considering your ideas on the sub panel and Pipe...

I'll run SOW out to the sound house with the snake to run things there.

Only about 50' of cable will be exposed to the public... Mats will be needed there.

About 400' of string lights...

A bunch of recepts...

Use 3-Way 20A switches as by-passes in case dirty equipment trips the GFCI's? I'd hate to scramble rewiring a bunch of outlets...

But it would be expensive too...

CYA CYA CYA



Am I a Gaffer yet?

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 07-28-2001).]

a busy Gaffer!
all eyes are gonna be on you when ya spark it up! don't you hate that!
sounds like you are either a hero or a zero !
...oy the pressure!

Virgil Kelly aka Electrician aka Gaffer aka Hero aka Performer.
I like the way that sounds! Truly a man of many hats. Do you have any help? Can you use your tic-tracer as a bass pick? Don't forget to get a ticket for the GC. He'll be impressed!
(and take off your toolbelt before you play so you don't look like the "Village People")

lol !

Village People...Nice!

(Shudder)

I could tell you guys about the ex-CIA agent and Green Beret named Craig Sweetwater who is running sound at the festival as his(her) new identity as "Kara" complete with the "final cut".

The quote from Kara Sweetwater in the other thread is from this androgynous person.

I'm not making this up...

I haven't met this person, but I imagine Sgt. Rock in a mini skirt... I will be forever tainted by this...

Webmaster, Moderator,
If this is not suitable for this forum, please forgive me and feel free to delete this post if you wish...

Nothing is more disturbing than the truth!

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 07-28-2001).]