Loss of Power Procedures
To prevent a power loss, or expedite recovery from one:
1. Confirm the power draw of all equipment and the circuit capacity.
If replacement equipment is delivered (upgraded projectors,
different lighting fixtures), re-calculate as needed.
2. Use twist-lock connectors (video) and stage-pin (lighting)
whenever possible
3. Use the most reliable tape available (depending on your
environment, and the effects of humidity on some kinds of tape)
to secure all connections
4. Use sandbags to weigh down cables running on the floor
(immediately under wall connections) to prevent accidental
disconnect
5. Use caution tape, white tape or glow tape to indicate all power
cables running backstage or in any other potentially unsafe
location.
6. Use well-labeled rubber mats or cable “crossover” if guests will
be walking near or over power runs.
7. Establish front-of-house (production booth) and backstage power
captains to:
a. Confirm that no un-authorized devices are connected
(guest’s cell phones, laptops, coffee makers) into
production power circuits
b. Familiarize themselves with the location of circuit
breakers for power running to their area
c. Check for tripped power strips, conditioners or circuits
immediately upon loss of power
8. If using a generator, confirm fuel levels at the beginning of each
day. Confirm safe, secure connections to power distribution
boxes.
9. Technical coordinator knows the location of all circuit breakers
and power disconnect boxes
10. When possible and practical, use extension cables with built-in
light indicator.
In the event of a power loss:
1. Work with your producer to pass instructions along to the
audience
2. Power captains check for power in the following order:
a. Specific equipment (video monitors, for example, are
the most obvious)—connected and switched on
b. Power conditioners or power strips—connected and
switched on. Reset circuit breaker.
c. Check main power (extension cables connected)
d. Quick check for severed power cable on the way to . . .
e. Main circuit breaker check
3. Technical Coordinator proceeds immediately to main circuit
breaker panel and/or generator. If the problem is found, inform
front-of-house and backstage power captains to turn off all power
until main breaker (or disconnect) is re-set or generator is restarted.
If possible, recruit a trained electrician with a continuity tester/volt
meter as a member of your production team. Even as a camera
operator, graphics person or stagehand, this person could prove
invaluable in a worse-case scenario. Lean on their expertise
throughout the load-in, set-up, rehearsals and sessions.
Full-length rehearsals at full volume and full lighting with ALL
equipment on can help prevent power outages.
Be mindful of anyone plugging in anything that wasn’t in use
during rehearsal. Coffee makers, guests’ laptops and/or cell
phones and other devices not connected during rehearsals
SHOULD NOT be allowed on technical power circuits.
We suggest that you negotiate with your equipment vendors to
provide projectors at least a day in advance. In most cases you
should not be billed for rehearsal days, and rehearsing with
projectors ON will help prevent power issues.