I was reading an article about live sound rigs recently and it said that all equipment should be connected via an RCD (Residual Circuit Device).
I have two questions about this:
1) Do any of you guys use RCD's with live PA and if so, does it trip often e.g. when there is a long bass tone?
2) Does an RCD affect sonic quality of the recording?
Comments
Re: 3 Phase AUD10 wrote: AltheGatman - Have you ever had a prob
Re: 3 Phase
AUD10 wrote: AltheGatman - Have you ever had a problem when someone touches the metal/chassis on equipment from different phases?
I haven't for a long long time, The earth should be common between all phases, and if something is metal, it legally has to be earthed or double insulated. (at least in NZ it does) so unless there is a fault in the equipment, a huge load on one phase or an incredibly long cable run, there should be no potential difference between equipment even on different phases. (even then it has to be within an ohm to pass reg here)
If you get shocks, then check wiring, somewhere there will be a faulty ground connection. - often done deliberately to remove an earth loop (bad!, very very bad!) If you do get an earth loop, chop it in the instrument/pctch lead - or use a transfromer.
odd times I have come across pretty big potentials between different circuits in some installed wiring. I generally go for a 3phase outlet, and do the distro myself. If I have to use any preinstalled single phase, I test it first.
I have seen and heard of lotsa people who have buzzed themselves tho, some pretty badly. It scares me!
BTW------- if my RCD's are the difference between Wet t-shirt comps or no, then I'm buyin more RCD's for my RCD's
I use RCD's all the time outside, all my 3phase distros are RCD
I use RCD's all the time outside, all my 3phase distros are RCD protected,
I have never had a bass tone or similar trip them, have had them trip a few times from things like plugs in wet grass (but hey that's their job)
Most places with reasonably new wiring have RCD's mounted in the board nowadays anyway
I don't think it affects anything sonically, you still get your 240 (or 120) volts, and as much current as with a breaker instead. so you should be fine.