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ELECTRICAL SAFETY FOR ENTERTAINERS:
110-125 Volt American Equipment
If you have American equipment designed to work only on supply voltages of 110 to 125 volts, you will need a transformer to change the voltage (see below). Incorrect use of such equipment can be dangerous and it is strongly
recommended that you consult a competent person such as an electrician about the selection and use of transformers.
Do not use a single winding auto transformer as it can be incorrectly connected or can fail to danger (the electricity is still connected), without any indication. The first sign may be when you get an electric shock.
If only one item of American equipment is being supplied by a transformer, and the cable to the equipment is kept short, and the equipment is double-insulated (Class II), it is recommended that you use a safety isolating transformer to British Standard 3535 or IEC 742, without a protective earth connection to the transformer secondary. If the equipment is not double-insulated the equipment protective conductor, or earth wire, should be connected to the system protective earth.
If a number of items of equipment are powered from the same transformer, or if the output of the transformer is connected to long cables (eg across the stage), then it is recommended that you use a double wound isolating transformer, with one side of the secondary earthed and an RCD (known in America as a ground fault circuit interruptor) connected into the transformer secondary circuit.
Transformer output(s) should have suitable excess current protection (fuses or preferably circuit breakers) and, where a protective conductor is needed, it should be efficiently connected to an effective earth. The earthing conductor should be at least as large as the phase and neutral conductors of the primary circuit, and may be connected to the earthing conductor of the 230 volt mains supply. If a 'clean' earth for sound equipment has been provided, have it tested by a specialist electrician before use.
Do not use two 120 volt lamps in series on a 230 volt supply unless both of the light fittings are designed for 230 volt operation. It is important that you do not use standard 230 volt plugs on lower voltage equipment. Accidentally connecting such equipment to 230 volt mains could be dangerous. If in doubt, ask your electrician which plug you should use.
