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	WPI Technical Theatre Handbook: Important Considerations
	Important Considerations There are several important points that should be taken into account when connecting power to equipment. In an audio system, all devices should be connected to the same ground at the same point. This helps eliminate ground loops, a problem caused by different ground levels on different circuits. The problem usually manifests itself as hum in the audio system, but can cause several other problems, some of which can cause people to receive shocks in some cases. For this reason, the amplifiers, sound board, and all other audio equipment need to be grounded at the same point. Ideally, all audio devices are run off of a dedicated distro, solving power ground loop problems. This often means that a long extension cord will have to be run to the remote sound board and equipment, but this is a small price to pay for a clean sounding audio system. Additionally, never connect audio equipment to the same circuit as lighting equipment. Disregarding this recommendation can result in a lot of spurious noise in the audio system, and also can potentially damage sensitive audio equipment. With lighting systems, it is very important not to plug lighting boards into the same circuit that the dimmers are connected to. Dimmers emit a lot of electrical noise back onto the power line that they are connected to, which can cause lighting boards and other sensitive equipment to have all kinds of problems. A separate circuit should be used for the lighting board. This circuit need not be on the same ground as the dimmers, but it never hurts to go out of the way to make it on the same ground. Use of information in this document implies understanding and agreement with the copyright and terms of use. Specifically, no warranty is expressed or implied regarding the accuracy of the information contained within. YOU USE THIS INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN RISK. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. You must obtain permission from the author before using the contents of The Handbook for anything other than private use.	Table of Contents [Whole book in PDF 5.3MB] Contents Introduction Goals Sources Methods Conclusions Costumes Introduction Procurement Fabrics Color Patterns Fitting Rehearsal Clothing Design How to Begin Color Practicality Documents The Set Introduction Set Pieces Platforms Flats Stairs Rakes Other Structures Floor Coverings Construction Materials Tools Finishing Painting Types of Paint Mixing Paints Applying Paint Draperies Design How to Begin Documents Computer-Aided Design A Typical Set Construction at WPI Rigging Introduction Common Rigging Hardware Rope Wire Rope Thimbles, Wire Rope Clips, and Swages Shackles, Turnbuckles and Hooks Chain & Rapid Links Slings Fly Methods Non-Counterweighted Pulley Systems Counterweighted Fly Systems Lifts Chain Motors Flying Set Pieces Lighting Introduction Lighting Instruments Scoops Cyclorama Lights Parabolic Reflector Cans Fresnel Spotlights Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights Automated Instruments Color Color Theory Primary, Secondary and Complementary Colors of Light Light Mixing Practical Use of Color Glass, Gelatine and Plastics Dichroic Color Filters Patterns Dimmers Dimmer History Cables and Connectors Lighting Boards Control Design Washes Specials Cyclorama Lighting Color Lighting Angle Simulating Exteriors Lighting Design Paperwork Shop Order Instrument Plots Focus Sheets Computer-Aided Lighting Design A Typical Lighting Hang at WPI Audio Introduction Input Microphones Converting Sound to Electricity Directionality Analog Tape Digital Audio Tape (DAT) Compact Disc (CD) Mini-Disc (MD) Digital Samplers Computer Sound Cards Mixing Boards Signal Processing Equipment Equalizers Compressors and Limiters Noise Gates Effects Processors Output Power Amplifiers Speakers Crossovers Cabling and Connectors Line-Level Speaker-Level Automation Design Creating and Obtaining Effects Editing and Processing Effects Designing the Sound System The Input Section Signal Processing The Output Section A Typical Audio Setup at WPI Power Introduction Basic Theory Power Feeds Power Distribution Boxes Power Protection Important Considerations Special Effects Introduction Animated Costuming Smoke and Fog Pyrotechnics Acknowledgements References List of Figures Index About this document ...

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