Betapack2

[kingnic]

Hi I am thinking of buying a Betapack2 but i don't know what the dimmer is powered by! *ie 13 amp plug . . .etc. What is it powered by? Also are all twelve plugs 15 amp each ie if i was buying 2 of them i would have 24 15 amp plugs. Thanks

 

If any one can help or has an :idea: idea please tell me. Thanks

[Paul]

You need to make your own mains input connection to the Betapack2 onto the internal busbars. Depending on how much power you're intending to draw, and what the supply is that you're powering this from, you need to rate the mains input cabling and connector accordingly. Most commonly people use CEE17 style connectors, either single phase (blue) or three phase (red). If you're not sure on any of this, then it's best to get a qualified electrician to do the work for you. Most of our distributors would be happy to advise on and fit (at additional cost) a supply cable and connector if they were supplying you with a Betapack2 for a particular venue.

 

If you're looking for something that would plug directly into a standard 13A socket outlet, then the Alphapack2 may be a better choice.

 

On the UK Betapack2, 12x 15A outlet sockets are fitted. The Betapack2 is a 6 channel dimmer, with 2 sockets per channel. However the maximum current that can be drawn from each channel is only 10A (protected by a fuse on the front panel). Hence the maximum power that can be drawn from the dimmer is 60A. To draw this maximum power, people commonly use a 63A single phase supply, or a 32A three phase supply.

 

Hope this helps, let us know if you have any further questions.

[kingnic]

I want to use all the channels of the dimmers at once (24 lights). If I did use the 63 amp cable where would I connect it to? Would I need a converter? Also can you "daisy chain" the dimmer packs?

thanks

[Paul]

If you fitted a 63A single phase plug to the Betapack2, you would connect it to a 63A single phase socket outlet. Do you have one of these installed in the venue where you intend to use the Betapack2?

 

You *can* daisy-chain the dimmers, but it's not the preferred way of wiring them. Aside from the difficulty you would have physically getting both cables through the entry gland, you wouldn't be able to draw the maximum load from both dimmers. And it's better to have a separate supply feeding each dimmer, so that if a supply breaker trips for whatever reason, you don't lose all your lights.

 

You need to find out what supply is available at the venue where you're going to be using the Betapack2s, and work from there. If a suitable supply isn't available, you need to get a qualified sparks in to fit one.

[kingnic]

WE HAVE 63 AMP SOCKETS. THANKS

[kingnic]

8O

Although we have a 63 amp plug we also want to tour with the betapacks, therefore meaning if we installed a 63 amp plug we could only use it in that specific place.

:arrow: Just wondering if you use say 5, 13 amp plugs to power the Betapack2? Then being able to take the maximum power out.

Also can you buy a plug which is 13 amp into 63 amp or something like that? If this can't be done which dimmer pack would you advise for touring, where there might not be a 63 amp plug or 32 amp. Would a generator be a good idea?

 

Thanks

[Kirkup_xp]

Although we have a 63 amp plug we also want to tour with the betapacks, therefore meaning if we installed a 63 amp plug we could only use it in that specific place.

You can use 63A extension cable to run the betapack where you require it.

 

Just wondering if you use say 5, 13 amp plugs to power the Betapack2? Then being able to take the maximum power out.

Unfortunately, this practice is frowned upon and probably illegal. The problem comes from the fact that when one 13A plug is plugged in, the other 4 would have live mains flowing to their pins, meaning that picking them up could cause an electrical shock. These devices are known as widowmakers in the industry. To reitterate, do not make a device lke this.

 

Also can you buy a plug which is 13 amp into 63 amp or something like that? If this can't be done which dimmer pack would you advise for touring, where there might not be a 63 amp plug or 32 amp.

You can buy a 13-63 jumper, which will allow you to pull a maximum of 13A load across all 6 channels. However, in many circumstances, this is enough. One 575w profile pulls 2.5Amps, so you could run 5 of these at full easily on a 13A feed. Remember just because you have 6 channels on the dimmer doesn't mean that all of them will be used at full at the same time. You could consider seperating your channels across two packs, planning that the load will be distributed between the two resulting in a lower draw per channel.

Would a generator be a good idea?

You can use betapacks with generators, however for most small scale circumstances 13A may be enough. If not, look into getting a 32A socket installed on a ring final circuit, which will increase the maximum load possible whilst staying within the ring final circuit limits.