Oh good f'ing grief. Remember the point about how important the details are? Here's why:
The Peavey distro is rated at 40 amps per leg continuous because of the NEC 80% derating rule for continuous loads (Okay, I don't know where that was stated and I'm sorry if I overlooked that "detail." I wasn't trying to overlook it by any means and I may have to go back and reread some things (which I am sure I will do) but it may have got put in somewhere when discussing grounds and other things. I don't know. But I wasn't taking the derating rule into consideration. Sorry. BUT you have to understand what the definition of a continuous load is. By the NEC, it's a lighting or motor/industrial process load that remains effectively steady state for 4 or more hours. An audio or stage lighting load (except house lighting) specifically does not fall under the continuous load derating because it's a dynamic load. same for typical stage lighting applications. UL requires a general purpose distro to be rated as a continuous load supply device because it MAY be used soe some applications in a continuous environment. Therefore, removing the NEC derating factor yields 40 amps x 1.25 = 50 amp. Yay, it's just like magic.
I get it now that you consider the derating rule. But now we're into the whole thing that is similar to amps and their ratings. One amp say 2000 watts and another says 1000 watts. Which one makes more power? Well, you and I know that the 1000 watt amp could "easily" put out more power and sound better and blah blah blah. So, we're back to the rating system of things. If the Peavey distro is rated for 50 amps, then why doesn't it just say so instead of not doing it? Sheesh.....I'm just looking at it from the way they present it. I didn't get into considering the other factors. Thanks for clearing that up.
If you look at it, you will see that it uses 3 x 20 amps breakers per leg... now are you ready for more magic? That seems like 60 amps right? In fact, why it's allowed is for load diversity, because two breakers may have 18 amps and the third only 10 amps. That's a total load on that leg of 46 amps and A-ok. Now, if Mr. Sparky thinks he knows what he is doing but makes a calculation or judgement error and loads each 20 amp circuit with say 18 amps, that's 54 amps which after the time delay associated with the feeder breaker's inverse time curve, the feeder breaker (at the source end of your feeder protecting the 50 amp recepticle) will trip opening up both poles (legs) of your feeder (due to the common device rule).
I understand this and know this. It wasn't magic, it was math and the way loads are dispursed. But I get that. But up until recently, nobody informed me that each "leg" would be good with 46 amps each. I was under the impression that the distro could only handle 50 amps "total" due to the plug. But now that I have more knowledge and understanding, I know that not to be the case. Again, learning.
You will not pass an inspection using 50 amp range plugs (regular 15-50's) because they are specialty listed for range and limited purpose use. Most inspectors will allow a single connection to a supplied range recepticle but no in line connectors. CA newstyle twists are what are currently considered standard for the portable power industry.
Again why I would rather stay away from extension cords (larger feeder cords) if at all possible. Just more to hassle with in the way of additional plugs and protecting them from the elements and people and keeping them safe and within code.
Regarding breaking up your feeder into 100' sections, IMO you would be foolish to go any longer than 100' with anything larger than #6. The weight would be a total ball buster. Yes, I know this already. I've carried them and yes, they aren't light. Obviously you have no appreciateion for the unwieldiness of what you are proposing. How do you know I have no appreciation for things? Please don't claim to know something that you don't, it's very unfair. Being willing to do something that I don't like (hauling around heavy things) and appreciating them are two completely different things. Furthermore, you have no idea if I can lift heavy things or not. Or if my setup crew can.
f you can not depend an ANYONE else, sir, you are in the wrong business and will get your ass in a serious bind at the most inopportune time. I have people that setup larger events with me as needed. For smaller ones, I take care of what I need to. The point about my comment of relying or depending on other people is because the bottom line is: you can't always depend on other people to do the things you need. Sure, we can hire 20 techs or load crew but getting all 20 to show up may be a different story. In which case, am I suppose to stop the show because 1 or 2 didn't show up? You know that's not the case. So, my point about having people to rely on was simply to be prepared to do things yourself. In which case, I do try to do as much as I can to minimize risk. When you rely too heavily on other people, you do have added risk and I doubt you will disagree with that.
A smart man (Warren Buffett) has a billboard with a saying that to me makes a lot of sense. It says: "Invest in yourself."
Pretty much sums up a lot of things. I'm considering all of this (these questions and responses) an investment and I sincerely appreciate all of the wisdom and knowledge I've gained from them. Don't confuse my remarks as anything other than "appreciation" please.
You do not know and can not appreciate what you do not know
(see above)
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