Bulgin Wiring

[lightspeed]

Now i feel stupid for posting this but I'm not hugely technically minded when it comes to these things and i don't want to do anything wrong so someone help! :D

Basically, I've got a 4 channel chaser (terminal outputs) and I want to wire it up to bulgin. I've got a bulgin lead so I'm going to take one end apart and wire it straight into the controller but I don't know how :bang: LOL :)

I've drawn a laughably crude diagram of the terminals and the bulgin plug, could someone edit it or make a new one or something to try and explain how the hell i'm going to do this :eek:

Its all a bit of a last minute thing, some cracker wanted light boxes for their 40th bday party so I've dragged them out of the loft .. oh dear :o

Thanks guys - Chris

[Thames Valley Discos]

http://freespace.virgin.net/tom.baldwin/pinout-8bulgin.html
or
http://www.dmx512.com/web/light/mains/mcmains.htm

does this help

[A1DL]

Now i feel stupid for posting this but I'm not hugely technically minded when it comes to these things and i don't want to do anything wrong so someone help! :D

Basically, I've got a 4 channel chaser (terminal outputs) and I want to wire it up to bulgin. I've got a bulgin lead so I'm going to take one end apart and wire it straight into the controller but I don't know how :bang: LOL :)

I've drawn a laughably crude diagram of the terminals and the bulgin plug, could someone edit it or make a new one or something to try and explain how the hell i'm going to do this :eek:

Its all a bit of a last minute thing, some cracker wanted light boxes for their 40th bday party so I've dragged them out of the loft .. oh dear :o

Thanks guys - Chris

Chris

Please take this comment in the spirit with which it is intended, but if you don't know how, then I doubt you are qualified to safely undertake the job.

The chances are if you have an old Bulgin lead it is a "plug to plug" configuration hence would not pass a PAT test as it would contravene IET (IEE) guidelines.

In the circumstances why not ask the person/company who you were going to get to PAT test it for you, to carry out the work, thus ensuring the controller, cable and connectors are fit for the purpose, and ensuring YOU are safe and fit to enjoy the New Year.

HTH

Tony

[Thames Valley Discos]

Fair point, but just because he does not know the pin outs, does not follow he is not capable of doing the job.

[A1DL]

Fair point, but just because he does not know the pin outs, does not follow he is not capable of doing the job.

But it's not just about the pin outs, is it Paul? There's the potential (sorry!) issue of the connector being unsuitable under current regs, also the PAT testing to consider.

Tony

[Thames Valley Discos]

ah, reading again, "but I'm not hugely technically minded "

Leave alone

[funkymike]

Having wired hundeds of these dam things i cant work out what the yellow dots are on the chaser termainls?

As for PAT is it a legal requirment yet?


Mike

[Thames Valley Discos]

Having wired hundeds of these dam things i cant work out what the yellow dots are on the chaser termainls?

As for PAT is it a legal requirment yet?


Mike
go to spec savers

[funkymike]

go to spec savers

ER?

Dont get that

[lightspeed]

Ok, scrapped the idea. Thanks for your help anyway.

- Chris

[spin mobile disco]

If you do decide to go ahead, the wiring is really very simple. The center of the bulgin in most cases is used as the comon nutral. And then each channel 1 - 4 are the live current therefore using a total of 5 channels, some lights will have an earth as well especially if they are housed in metal or have some need for earth.
The easiest way to find what each wire does it to take the back of of one of your light units (light box, spot chasser whatever your using) and trace the connections. A lot of companied may use simple straight passthrough wiring which is fine if all the units are wired the same but a pain if they are not. First is to look for the common neutral connector. Open up and look for the connector that all 4 channels link to internally. This is your common neutral. Next work out what sequence the lights are suppost to go in, i.e channel 1 may be blue 2, green and so forth. This will be pin out 1, channel 2 will be pin out 2, channel 3 pin out 3 and channel 4 pin out 4. (this may be different so make sure you trace cables closely.

A simple continuity tester will make this light work, but do make sure you do not plug unit in until you have finished and have resealed casing.

If the unit has an earth connector you must locate it and make sure it 2 has a pin out seperate to the others, this is for safety and if fitted must be working.
The wiring can then be passed into the controller as the common neutral into the line marked 'N' channel 1 into ch-1 and so on. The earth strap is best attached to the inside of the lighting controller on the controllers own earth. This means that any fault in the system will make the fuse blow or RCD trip if used.
I recenly wired up 4 x 4 r80 spot light enclosures this way and due to the enclosures being metal I was required to eart the whole lot. They were P.A.T tested afterwards and declared safe to use by the technician.

Hope this helps, remember though trailer cable from maplin does not pass safety inspection due to thermal loss (i.E they heat up when a load is passed through them. They are max 1A at 240 volts what I have gathered when your average lighting controller switches up to 5 amp per channel.

Also remember the Common neutral takes 4 times the current than the single channel wires so it needs to be up to the job.

[sleah]

If you do decide to go ahead, the wiring is really very simple. The center of the bulgin in most cases is used as the comon nutral. And then

Hi All, Intro elswhere, had to jump in on this one as I see DANGER!!!!

The center pin of a bulgin is ALWAYS EARTH. It usually is a little longer than the others so as to connect first/disconnect last.

Looking at the OP's diagram, the two pins lower left that have a link between them is neutral and the other 4 going round are the lives. The middle centre pin is earth.
I've wired tons of these over the last 20yrs to a variety of controllers and lighting units so have lots of experience with them.
As other posters have mentioned, if you are at all unsure - DON'T DO IT! Your life just isn't worth it, I realise the OP has scrapped the idea, advice is for the benifit of other readers.

Simon Leah

[lightspeed]

Found that website Zach recommended with the bulgin pinouts, was exactly what I was looking for! I got confused as The old bulgin leads I had weren't wired to any of the two standards on the site. So to save me taking off all the plug backs etc. to find out what was happening i've took it all apart and re-wired it to standard. Now the lightboxes themselves (made from thin ply) are unfortunately falling to bits and looking very tatty so I've decided to build a pair of my own from scratch!

I Know it may have come across that I hadn't a clue what I was doing but I am perfectly able to do the job, I've made plenty of wiring mods and patch panels etc. for my cases with audio/power connectors, I just couldn't figure out how the bloody bulguns were done! :confused:

Will post a new thread detailing the build when they're done (or near-to) for you all to look at.

Thanks - Chris.

[sleah]

Looking forward to seeing the pics. I used to love building & modding light boxes, great sense of achievement when they are done and in use.
I actually have two sets of the old upright FAL's that had the grilles described elswhere on the forum.
They were 3 channel with built-in STL unit. Soon got converted to 4 channel and external controller.
One set are still in fairly original condition with the grilles. I'll stick some pics in the gallery soon, just to be nostalgic!

Simon

[axeman]

I feel i have to add to this thread that the earth (centre bulgin pin) on wooden light boxes goes nowhere, it's only used on metal cased lights and then connects obviously to earth (the body of the light usually). The neutral pins are connected together and to the incoming neutral wire, and connect to each light while the 4 lives are sent off one to each light separately.

[lightspeed]

Yeah I didn't bother with the earth as the boxes are all wooden anyway. Lightboxes been built for ages now! Really must get round to doing the thread. Still looking for some kind of perspex/grille to go on the front though.

- Chris

[lightspeed]

Ok, as promised! http://mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=96802#post96802