Dimming systems
Power Distribution and Control
Silicon Controlled Rectifier SCR dimmer electronic controls current flow to the lamp, is the size of a nickel, is housed in a module, switches current on and off 120 x per sec, creates what is known as a forward phase. Donut shaped copper coil creates a CHOKE to reduce dimmer noise and no spikes of electrical current. It also has a magnetic circuit breaker for protection and heat which is generated from the fast switching. There is still dimmer noise and filament noise as well, which can be an issue for some venues. Requires forced air cooling.
Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor IGBT dimmer is a semiconductor improved version of the old SCR. Created lower voltage to lamp, reverse phase control, reduced filament noise and no forced air cooling required. Lighter weight, efficient.
Non-Dim Modules
Relay Modules
Hard Patch
Soft Patch
http://www.ccisolutions.com/StoreFront/category/stage-lighting-101-dimmers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimmer
Silicon Controlled Rectifier SCR dimmer electronic controls current flow to the lamp, is the size of a nickel, is housed in a module, switches current on and off 120 x per sec, creates what is known as a forward phase. Donut shaped copper coil creates a CHOKE to reduce dimmer noise and no spikes of electrical current. It also has a magnetic circuit breaker for protection and heat which is generated from the fast switching. There is still dimmer noise and filament noise as well, which can be an issue for some venues. Requires forced air cooling.
Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor IGBT dimmer is a semiconductor improved version of the old SCR. Created lower voltage to lamp, reverse phase control, reduced filament noise and no forced air cooling required. Lighter weight, efficient.
Non-Dim Modules
Relay Modules
Hard Patch
Soft Patch
http://www.ccisolutions.com/StoreFront/category/stage-lighting-101-dimmers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimmer
Intensity Control - BASIC Electronic Lighting Consoles:
Lighting Boards are also called lighting consoles, light boards, or an older term is a preset board. The lighting console back in the 1900's resembled large and bulky (old switch board systems) that the operators used to use. It was a major manual (hands on) process to operate the intensity control of lights on stage. The lighting consoles where bulky including the dimmers and lighting instruments.
Preset boards are the most basic lighting consoles (light boards) and also the most prevalent in small installations. A preset board can be viewed as a system that allows to do the work before everything is due for the execution of the production.
The lighting console communicates with the dimmers and other lighting systems by a protocol. This protocol which is commonly used in lighting is called DMX 512, there are several other types of protocols but the DMX 512 is widely used. The DMX 512 is a type of cable which allows the lighting console to connect to the dimmer and then both can communicate with one another.
A lighting board is used in mainly in theatre, on stages, film and studios of all sorts in which it allows the program operator to vary the intensities of the lights being used on the set. The lighting is rarely used a 100% always. There are always several lighting instruments used on a set to illuminate and a 100% is not a desired intensity as these lights put out a lot of heat due to their lamp's wattage. For example a stage light should not be considered a regular house light for the wattage varies from 500w to 2000w. So the lighting console can be used to bring a lighting instruments intensity to 10%, 40%, or 95%, again it all depends on what is needed at that time. It is a key tool to be able to dim our lights to a desired level of intensity to set the right mood for the environment.
Principles of Dimming - in this art where subtle fading of light is often more appropriate than abrupt switching on or off is a great aesthetic. The audience's attention can be gently shifted by fading the light down on one scene and fading it up on another scene can be altered by a cross fade or creating a cue to do so with a time for that type of achievement. When the lighting instrument has a color, fading from one color to the next fast or slow depending on the desired effect can be an effective tool. The principles of dimming needs a lighting console to serve this purpose. The lighting console communicates to the lighting instruments which are hung or in position for lighting an object(s) and the dimming capabilities allows for how and when you want the lights to dim or brighten.
Element Demo via www.etcconnect.com > https://youtu.be/BpM-lUtGbyM
More information on the Element console training
https://www.etcconnect.com/Products/Consoles/Eos-Family/Element/Support-Training.aspx?LangType=1033
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HIGHLIGHTS for the LIGHTING CONSOLE:
1) BlACK OUT - the black out button if enable will not allow any output of the lighting source. Even if you bring up lights by the dimmer or channel, the black out function will block this command from being seen. Make sure that the black out button 'green light is not on' therefore it is not enabled.
2) GRAND MASTER - the grand master fader works just like the black out button. Expect you are able to slide the fader up or down. The fader has 0% and can be slide up to 100%. Make sure the grand master is up at 100% (on some lighting consoles its 0-10) or up at 10. If it is at 0 or 0% there will be no light output.
3) DIMMER - a dimmer is relating to the circuit of the lighting instrument which is circuited to that dimmer. You can have several lights on one dimmer by the means of a two-fer of three-fer, this is chaining the lights together. We will get more into that in the semester.
4) CHANNEL - a channel is when a dimmer is assigned to that channel. Or if the dimmers are set at 1 - to - 1, it relates to the dimmer. For example: When a 1 - to - 1 is the assignment > Dimmer # 1 = Channel # 1.
However, that assignment can be changed from that default. Then assigning several dimmers in to one channel is possible. For example: Dimmer # 1, 4, and 6 can be assigned to Channel #1. When you bring the intensity up on Channel # 1, there will be 3 lights responding to this command. For more flexibility keep the 1 - to - 1 default, which is found in the 'setup' function button on the lighting console for an ETC.
ELEMENT CONSOLE & MONITOR SETUP (pictured below):
Electronic Theatre Control (ETC) Computer Monitor Output
(Submasters and bump buttons on an Element console pictured to the left:)
The Electronic Theatre Control (ETC) is an international lighting company focused on entertainment lighting systems. ETC has also developed lighting instruments, along with dimming equipment and and power distribution gear. ETC is widely used throughout the U.S and one of the most popular lighting systems used today. ETC has developed the line of Sour Four lighting instruments along with some accessories for those lights.
The ETC lighting console, just like other models such as ETC ION console and several other lighting consoles on the upper end price comes equipped with a computer monitor. The computer monitor shows what the output intensities are that each dimmer is brought up to. For example: You type in the ETC lighting console, {dimmer #1, @, full, enter} > will bring the lighting instrument circuited to dimmer #1 up to 100%. This light should come up without any problems once the light is patch into the console. The patching process allows the light to communicate to the lights circuited into the dimmer rack. Each dimmer has a given #, that # refers to the # of that dimmer. The upper end price lighting consoles with a computer monitor will show exactly what level of intensity each dimmer is at. Once patched, you have an option to bring up a dimmer or a channel up at full, full equals 100%, if you desire the light to be another intensity you would have to type it in. Another example for other intensities is the following: {dimmer # 5, @, 40%, enter OR channel # 5, @ 40%}.
How to bring up a dimmer on the ETC lighting console: Dimmer #, @, intensity, ENTER
How to bring up a channel on the ETC lighting console: Channel #, @, intensity
Note: to see the out of your command to bring up a dimmer versus bringing up a channel you have to press ENTER for the command to be recognized. This is just how this particular model functions.
The Electronic Theatre Control (ETC) is an international lighting company focused on entertainment lighting systems. ETC has also developed lighting instruments, along with dimming equipment and and power distribution gear. ETC is widely used throughout the U.S and one of the most popular lighting systems used today. ETC has developed the line of Sour Four lighting instruments along with some accessories for those lights.
The ETC lighting console, just like other models such as ETC ION console and several other lighting consoles on the upper end price comes equipped with a computer monitor. The computer monitor shows what the output intensities are that each dimmer is brought up to. For example: You type in the ETC lighting console, {dimmer #1, @, full, enter} > will bring the lighting instrument circuited to dimmer #1 up to 100%. This light should come up without any problems once the light is patch into the console. The patching process allows the light to communicate to the lights circuited into the dimmer rack. Each dimmer has a given #, that # refers to the # of that dimmer. The upper end price lighting consoles with a computer monitor will show exactly what level of intensity each dimmer is at. Once patched, you have an option to bring up a dimmer or a channel up at full, full equals 100%, if you desire the light to be another intensity you would have to type it in. Another example for other intensities is the following: {dimmer # 5, @, 40%, enter OR channel # 5, @ 40%}.
How to bring up a dimmer on the ETC lighting console: Dimmer #, @, intensity, ENTER
How to bring up a channel on the ETC lighting console: Channel #, @, intensity
Note: to see the out of your command to bring up a dimmer versus bringing up a channel you have to press ENTER for the command to be recognized. This is just how this particular model functions.
DIMMERS:
A number of dimmer types have been used but the preset day dimmers that are used is all electronic dimmers.
The Silicon Control Rectifiers or SCR electronic dimmers work by cutting off the alternating current (AC) sine waves, giving flexibility to the power supply of each dimmer. Dimmers come in various sizes such as 10 amp dimmer can handle 1200 watts (10 amp X 120 volts), 20 amp dimmer can handle 2400 watts (20 amp X 120 volts) and 50 amp dimmer can handle 6000 watts (50 amp X 120 volts)..... If the dimmer is overloaded the dimmers are equipped with a circuit breaker that will flip it off to protect the dimmer. Using the West Virginia Formula = Watts = Volts X Amps to figure out how many lighting instruments can be put on to one dimmer is vital. This way the dimmer is not overloaded and you do not keep running into a circuit that keeps flipping off.
(The photo above shows a single dimmer module, each dimmer module contains two dimmers, each supplying the wattage of the given amp of that dimmer).
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Distribution: (The example ETC brand > on this link shows the distribution for electrical stage pin connectors). http://www.etcconnect.com/products.distribution.aspx
Below you will see in the photo an example of 'Pigtail outlet distribution boxes' for 1) (on the left) Stage Pin connectors and 2) (on the right) Twist Loc connectors. These are the two main type of distribution for electrical connections available in most theatres and television studios.
http://www.etcconnect.com/product.overview.aspx?ID=20037
The Silicon Control Rectifiers or SCR electronic dimmers work by cutting off the alternating current (AC) sine waves, giving flexibility to the power supply of each dimmer. Dimmers come in various sizes such as 10 amp dimmer can handle 1200 watts (10 amp X 120 volts), 20 amp dimmer can handle 2400 watts (20 amp X 120 volts) and 50 amp dimmer can handle 6000 watts (50 amp X 120 volts)..... If the dimmer is overloaded the dimmers are equipped with a circuit breaker that will flip it off to protect the dimmer. Using the West Virginia Formula = Watts = Volts X Amps to figure out how many lighting instruments can be put on to one dimmer is vital. This way the dimmer is not overloaded and you do not keep running into a circuit that keeps flipping off.
(The photo above shows a single dimmer module, each dimmer module contains two dimmers, each supplying the wattage of the given amp of that dimmer).
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Distribution: (The example ETC brand > on this link shows the distribution for electrical stage pin connectors). http://www.etcconnect.com/products.distribution.aspx
Below you will see in the photo an example of 'Pigtail outlet distribution boxes' for 1) (on the left) Stage Pin connectors and 2) (on the right) Twist Loc connectors. These are the two main type of distribution for electrical connections available in most theatres and television studios.
http://www.etcconnect.com/product.overview.aspx?ID=20037
Stage Pin Connector
The photo to the right shows a typical male stage pin connector.
HOT pin - The first pin to the left in the photo is the HOT
pin (red or black), it is the furthest pin for the center.
GROUND pin - The center pin is the GROUND pin (green).
Allows for any 'shorts' to travel safely into the ground-
the earth and not through you.
NEUTRAL pin - The last pin is the NEUTRAL pin (white).
The photo below shows the inside of the male stage
pin connector for connecting the color coded wires.
More information on Connectors (Twist Loc) coming soon.
Follow Spots and the way they are used!
A French man has designed the follow spot light that we will cover in class. Robert Juliat is the designer of the Super Korrigan HMI 1200w Follow Spot light here at VCC. This follow spot light is one of many types that are available on the market for use. The spot light is chosen by its capabilities and how it can be utilized in a particular venue's space.
spotlight_overview.docx | |
File Size: | 71 kb |
File Type: | docx |
OLDER INFORMATION:
The evolution of lighting in theatre began during the times of Ancient Greece. The performances was outside in an open-air space, which the use of natural light was the primary source of illumination. (As you can see in the ruins of the Greek 'theatre in a circular setting' allows for only natural light). The production would take place during the day time so that the sun light can be used. Productions used the main theatre layout of 'theatre in the round' and plays was done at high noon when most everything was illuminated. Plays were done at certain times of the day, so the height and angle of the sun's natural light could enhance the scene. The Greeks also used large mirrors with the sun's light to alter the lighting for their plays. If they wanted to establish any type of moods then there would an intermission until the 'time of day' and sun's angle would suit the need for the production.
It was when the Roman theatre developed with much insights from the Greeks, that they began to use torches. and candles. This gave the Roman theatre players an opportunity to perform in the evenings as the use of torches illuminated their scenes. The 15th century introduced 'oil lamps' and created illumination for lighting the stages indoors. It was Sabastiano Serlio who then added 'colored liquid' to the oil lamps in 1545, introducing color and more variety to stage lighting. This is when the lighting became important to the genre of theatre. It is here where qualities of light, with distribution, intensity and color was being added to a live production.
FIRST type of DIMMING:
The 16th and 17th centuries introduced dimming of candles by using metal cylinders lowered onto the candles, invented by Nicola Sabatini. This process was a manual process and took a lot of stagehands to make this possible. In these time periods stage hands was how all of the production's lighting -dimming, plus scenery and more transformed the production and created the drama or illusions of effects.
Chandeliers with candles where used in several places on the stage for illumination, this distribution or placement of the candle light chandeliers allowed for more dramatic lighting and flexibility. Keep in mind this form of natural light (fire) was used as a main source of light. This also explains the cause of a lot of old theatre's that caught fire and burned down to the ground.
STAGE LIGHTING IN THE 17th & 18th CENTURIES:
Lighting became more important as it was given birth from natural sunlight in Greek theatre. In Roman theatre torches to oil lamps where used. This movement of torches and oil lamps transferred into the Middle Ages, the Renaissance age straight into the 17th & 18th century. It was in the middle of the 18th century when the kerosene lamp with a wick was the biggest improvement to the oil lamp. Coal gas was also beginning to be used for illumination to the stage.
19th CENTURY:
The 19th century had the most development to stage lighting and the gas lights made more of an impact! The electric arc was also invented by Sir Humprey Davy a chemist in 1810. It was not until 1880 when a true electrical system was introduced by Edison. Although this took some time for stage lighting to use the electric light, this invention created a great development for the possibilities of stage lighting, dimming and controls units which came shortly in the 1900's.
The History of Stage and Theatre Lighting by the Edison Electric Illuminating Company
http://www.iar.unicamp.br/lab/luz/ld/C%EAnica/Hist%F3ria/the_history_of_stage_and_theatre_lighting.pdf
We have come a long way from then!