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| Re: NEMA connectors and your rig [message #276344 is a reply to message #276309 ] |
Thu, 27 December 2007 14:01   |
Rick Stansby
Messages: 974
Registered: November 2004
Location: Davis, California |
Has No Life |
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I'm pretty small, so the venues I go to don't always have 3 phase power. If I use L21-30, or any other three phase connector, I can't use a single phase source (easily). So my approach is to use single phase connectors to distribute power from the distro to amp racks. That way I can use either a single phase or a three phase distro as needed.
On the other hand, once you are doing bigger shows, where 3-phase is always available, it is more efficient (cable size etc.) to use 3-phase all around.
It sounds to me like you mainly see single phase sources, so I suggest you stay with L14-30 etc.
IMNSHO, L14-20 is better for band power, because you can't legally/safely put a nema 5-15 on a 30 amp breaker.
This is all just my opinion, and I'm no electrician.
Rick
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| Re: NEMA connectors and your rig [message #276351 is a reply to message #276323 ] |
Thu, 27 December 2007 14:24 |
 James Henriksen
Messages: 70
Registered: February 2005
Location: Aurora, IL |
Should Get Out More |
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Right now my amp racks are L14-20, but there are 2 receptacles on each rack, giving me a 20A circuit for each amp (PL236 x 4). I can cheat on occasion and use a L14-20 breakout to 2 standard 5-15 plugs, for when I need to pull seperate circuits from different parts of the buildings.
Some of these little clubs are such a pain sometimes, and basing my power around 20A connectors means I dont have to use a distro all the time or tie into a panel if the club managers being protective.
If I ever start using bigger amps, like the 5050's I want:), then I'll have to upgrade to a real distro and L14-30's, or L21-30's.
Thanks all, just curious to see what everyone else was using as thier standard connector.
James Henriksen
Owner
Crosspoint Productions
http://www.crosspointproductions.com
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| Re: NEMA connectors and your rig [message #276410 is a reply to message #276397 ] |
Thu, 27 December 2007 18:17 |
Ryan McLeod
Messages: 380
Registered: August 2004
Location: Toronto, ON Canada |
Has No Life |
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Ben -
All of my small systems use Powercon (the 20A) version and I'm very happy with them. If the 32A version ware a 3-pole/4-wire single-phase version a-la L14-30 I'd be thrilled!
For me, Powercon gave me a panel-mount alternative to make basic power distribution easier on all my racks, they lock, and are very inexpensive for what they do.
"If I can't change the people around me, I'll change the people around me"
- Chuck D.
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| Re: NEMA connectors and your rig [message #276428 is a reply to message #276421 ] |
Thu, 27 December 2007 19:24 |
Ryan McLeod
Messages: 380
Registered: August 2004
Location: Toronto, ON Canada |
Has No Life |
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In my case, poor man's distro / existing wiring, or distros supplied by venues / electrical contractors on a per-gig basis.
"If I can't change the people around me, I'll change the people around me"
- Chuck D.
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| Re: NEMA connectors and your rig [message #276467 is a reply to message #276436 ] |
Thu, 27 December 2007 21:48 |
Brad Ferguson
Messages: 349
Registered: November 2006
Location: Toronto, ON |
Has No Life |
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L14-30 has been the standard with most audio companies I've delt with, with the rest being L21-30.
The problem comes down to balancing your power between your phases on each individual distro in each rack, and we found it easier to do it on the two legs of the L14-30, vs the three legs of the L21-30.
--
Brad Ferguson
Toronto, Ontario
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| Re: NEMA connectors and your rig [message #276497 is a reply to message #276309 ] |
Fri, 28 December 2007 00:06 |
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The ongoing debate between L21-30 and L14-30 seems to be a east coast/west coast type situation. I attribute alot of this a few factors:
1. Many of the larger venues (theatres mainly)back in the day were single phase in the east coast (as the building is older) and the more modern venues on the west coast are 3 phase. Most seem to have upgraded nowadays.
2. Back in the 80's it was easier to find 4 conductor wire than 5 conductor, hell they even sell 12/4 SOOW here at home depot.
There may be other reasons i don't know about yet...
We're L21-30 cause its almost the same used by the other major vendors we cross rent with in the region, though AA seems to be the hold out using a double single phase connector in the mountian states for their rack power ala Clair, but the ShowCo stuff uses L21-30, so go figure there...
David Buehler
Director of Operations / Senior Systems Engineer
Audio Excellence
Albuquerque NM
New Mexico's Premier Audio and Production Company
www.audioexcellence4u.com
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I would suggest ( as I seem to do so often ) that the determining factor in your decision should be largely based on who has what connectors available for cross rental in your area. 
