Iec Connectors & Splitters Required

Hi!
I'm starting to roll out my uplighting services, DMX cables are plentiful, and separate from my normal kit.
However, I do need to re-make the euro connectors to IEC plugs, and also generally get the power side working.

I have previously brought IEC plugs/sockets new from Ebay, but found them difficult to wire compared to others I've used in the past.

I also need a bunch of Y splitters. Its a shame most lights do not have IEC pass-through!

I'm currently on a PAT test spree, and can't test the uplighters until I've remade the power end!


I've been checking out;
http://www.soundlightuk.com
Who I *think* are the sponsors of this forum - but can't see much after looking for IEC stuff.

Anyway- I need;
10 off;
IEC Y Splitters
IEC Plugs
IEC Extensions (unsure on length)

May also be looking at a 4-way IEC distribution (Standmate?) with IEC input/4 IEC output.

Any recommended retailers?

I'd like to buy these early this week for delivery thurs/friday.

IF DfB cannot help try ebay I needed to power a number of effects, but I wanted to run a few cables as possible.

So I brought a 4 way 'spider' it has an Bulgin (M) socket with 4 leads with IEC F connectors, 1 x Male to Female Bulgin lead, and by where the mains is a spider with a Bulgin (f) to 4 x 13a plug tops (although can fit IEC (M) if needed to connect to something such as an NJD Euor 6 etc. A link to an example below.

Remember if you do use bulgins to use females on the output of the supply i.e. plug from mains to female - male to female male to female male on effect.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bulgin-M-Spider-Ligh...=item587a0d3cce

I did have the showtec bulgin to 4 x IEC boxes but this meant I needed lots of IEC lead

Maplins do the 1 IEC (M) to 2 x IEC (F) adaptors

Or try CPC

[quote name='Jason Clark' date='Feb 28 2010, 06:25 PM' post='1930']
Also don't buy IEC connectors off ebay the ones I brought were very poor ended up throwing them all away buy from CPC takes minutes to register, and good on delivery.

Stand mates and the showtec versions are quite difficult to locate at times

Thanks DJDC,
I should explain - I've got experience designing large 3-phase control systems for industrial robotics - so know CPC/RS/Farnell/Maplin etc, and good practices for electrics.
This is why I wasn't keen on poor quality IEC connectors, so glad I'm not the only one who didn't get on with the ones off ebay.

Luckily, I don't often get above 3V3 as current job is embedded product developer.

I'd rather not use the bulgin route, everything is IEC, and I'd rather not have a "special" cable - one more thing to lose/break. Most of my lighting is DMXed, so don't use switch packs.


I'm currently using Moulded IEC Y splitters, these are fine, but it does mean 2 mains cables coming down and I have found the cables can easily fall out (even after strapping down the cables)

This is actually less of an immediate problem, but noticed these products when searching the DFB site.

Cheers!
Jason

I use electrical tape to keep connections good on the y adaptors, I used to work in industrial theatre, and just adapted a mains multicore solution, to a more traditional mobile disco format. I'm only powering 6 DMX effects so this was the easiest and quickest solution.

I find IECs a pain to wire and the cheaper ones aren't that good, one problem I found is that if you use the cheaper ones the pins on the male end can easily get pushed back into the body of the plug. I did get some decent plugs off CPC and they are slightly different to the cheapo ones in so much as not all one side comes away when you unscrew them...the cheap ones I had come completely in two and the better ones just had about 2/3 of one side that came off...are you following this?...clever man Sorry if its not too clear but from my experience if you find the ones that open up completely in half they are better, still a bit fidley to wire but the pins can't push back.

Generally I find CPC excellent and they have a good range of lengths, generally the moulded made up ones are fine and if you can manage with off the peg sizes I would rather use moulded ones all the time, I got lots of various lengths to cover all eventualities and some of the H shape frames for 70p each to wind them round and keep them tidy.

Thanks Andy,
I do have a CPC account, but was looking around. I also prefer quality over price, and these are the kind of thing that can easily fail, and as I'll be daisy chaining power, a duff connector will kill the rest of the chain..
I've also had a pin push through on a connector.

I'll essentially be using a Y splitter cable, with 1 feed connecting to the re-made IEC plug on the ADJ ParCan.
The other feed will connect to an IEC extension, connected to the next Y splitter & par can etc.

Shame the ParCans don't have IEC in/out (like some of my other lighting effects). I also remember seeing some LED systems using Power+Signal in the same cable.

I've a wedding on the 13th, we have full access all day and are providing Band lighting, Dance Floor lighting, mood lighting, PA (vocal PA) for the band, and finally, about 2hrs of Djing :-) (this replaces the iPod they were planning).
As the venue is a very nice new built barn, I'm keen to get this 100% and will be taking photos (and will post here) of the set-up and night.

It looks like DFB has 2 websites - one had a different logo, the other is similar style to this forum. I've bookmarked them, so will keep an eye on any bargains!

Thanks,
Jason

Just an update. Went to CPC in the end, got a very large box (mainly of packing material ) with IEC plugs, 5M Extensions and Y Splitters.

My ADJ Cans are now fitted with nice IEC plugs. I need to PAT Test them+label asap.

My PAT Test schedule has now turned into an inventory sheet for insurance purposes. This means everything that I have for my Disco is accounted for.
I live in a high-crime area, and as my set-up have grown in quality I've been aware that the gear is not insured.
Its never left in the car overnight, but we both work daytime.
So...end of March, I'll be calling Hencilla for a quote- I think house only should be fairly cheap - its the overnight theft from vehicle that bumps up the cost.


Jason