Daisy chaining power cables

[Casual77]

Just a quick question to those who know...

Is there any reason why I shouldn't power an active speaker by daisy chaining power from a lighting fixture or is this no problem? I've done it on occasion without any problems but wasn't sure if there might be some reason why I shouldn't be doing it.

[Nakatomi]

Power draw would be the most obvious reason not to do it. You don't often know how the iec outlet is rated or if there's a fuse smaller than ten amps between input & output connectors.

If you must chain stuff of a few hundred Watts, then use a 'y' iec cable but remember to keep well within the power limit for ten amp cable. 10 amps at 230 volts = 2300 Watts. Shouldn't be too hard to stay well under that & I'm only telling you for the sake of completeness.

The above assumes your iec cables are rated for ten amps. Off the top of my head each wire inside should be at least 0.5mm sq. Beware Chinese cables where the outer sheath seems thick but the wires inside are 0.1mm sq if you're lucky!

A better practise would be to use an iec splitter box in the rigging.

[Excalibur]

If it's an LED fixture, it's absolutely forbidden. Just like it is to power a lamp fixture from one. The fuse will pop instantly. Added to which, it's always good practice to separate light from sound.

[Benny Smyth]

If it's an LED fixture, it's absolutely forbidden. Just like it is to power a lamp fixture from one. The fuse will pop instantly. Added to which, it's always good practice to separate light from sound.

Pretty much this.

[Casual77]

If it's an LED fixture, it's absolutely forbidden. Just like it is to power a lamp fixture from one. The fuse will pop instantly. Added to which, it's always good practice to separate light from sound.


I have to admit that there have been a few gigs in recent weeks where I have powered one of my Yamaha speakers for the full duration of the night by daisy chaining the power from the Chauvet 4Play positioned on the tripod directly below it. Fortunately, I haven't had any issues but it sounds like that may be down to me using good quality 10amp IEC cables (so the PAT Tester told me). Now that I know it's not a good idea I will certainly refrain from doing it again on future gigs though.

[rth_discos]

I would be more tempted to daisy the other way round.

I can't see a few LED lights having an issue being daisy chained off of the speaker.

However, the more daisy chaining you do, the more your kit becomes like the old Christmas tree lights, where one failure can take the whole lot off!

[Nakatomi]

Generally a mobile disco light rig won't have the same potential to ruin sound as say a theatre or concert rig so you should get away with mixing & matching unless you use a few fixtures with discharge lamps. It's generally best practice to keep sound & light power separate though.

Besides, how much more hassle is one more Mains cable going up a pole?

[Casual77]

I would be more tempted to daisy the other way round.

I can't see a few LED lights having an issue being daisy chained off of the speaker.

However, the more daisy chaining you do, the more your kit becomes like the old Christmas tree lights, where one failure can take the whole lot off!

I would probably do that but the speakers I have don't have an IEC power out socket so my only option is to go from the 4Play into the speaker. I gather it's not worth the risk though so won't be doing it in future.


Generally a mobile disco light rig won't have the same potential to ruin sound as say a theatre or concert rig so you should get away with mixing & matching unless you use a few fixtures with discharge lamps. It's generally best practice to keep sound & light power separate though.

Besides, how much more hassle is one more Mains cable going up a pole?

I'm deliberately trying to keep all my lighting as low wattage LED units so that I don't have to worry about changing bulbs. I might make an exception for a pair of Warlocks though.

I was just trying to go for the sleek minimal look and running a 50cm IEC from the 4Play to the speaker achieved that. I also have an aversion to long IEC leads which are the bane of my DJ life, although I suppose one extra cable won't kill me.

[Nakatomi]

I would probably do that but the speakers I have don't have an IEC power out socket so my only option is to go from the 4Play into the speaker. I gather it's not worth the risk though so won't be doing it in future.



I'm deliberately trying to keep all my lighting as low wattage LED units so that I don't have to worry about changing bulbs. I might make an exception for a pair of Warlocks though.

I was just trying to go for the sleek minimal look and running a 50cm IEC from the 4Play to the speaker achieved that. I also have an aversion to long IEC leads which are the bane of my DJ life, although I suppose one extra cable won't kill me.

I hate all cables. Cables for wireless gear (HA!) even more so :evil: Thank the lord we don't have to use Bulgin 7-way lighting cables anymore though. Those things were a bugger to make look tidy.

reminds me actually.. I need to buy some more mains extension blocks.

[DJ Jules]

If it's an LED fixture, it's absolutely forbidden. Just like it is to power a lamp fixture from one. The fuse will pop instantly. Added to which, it's always good practice to separate light from sound.

Hmm, I routinely put a QTX par can under my speaker stands and daisy chain the speaker power through the par. All cables are rated at 10a, speakers are 450w RMS, 900w peak and I've spent enough time inside those par cans in the last week to be able to say that the output is not fuse protected and the cabling between input and output will easily carry 10A.

However, note that in all of the above, I know the ratings of every cable in the chain and exactly how the fixtures are set up so I can say with confidence that I'm not going to break anything. As with anything electrical, generally err on the side of caution. Fuses may be cheap but fires are expensive :P

Julian

[Excalibur]

I've spent enough time inside those par cans in the last week to be able to say that the output is not fuse protected and the cabling between input and output will easily carry 10A.


All the LED fixtures I've seen run the output through the fuse. Obviously some don't. Trick is knowing which ones you've got. Just make sure you've got some spare fuses first. :)