Despite sharply rising copper prices in June and July, we are pleased to say that our buying power has once again allowed us to hold our prices for the month ahead. We hope that our efforts to keep our prices low will continue to give you a competitive edge. Click here to download your August pricing.

This month Lex is introducing the Slim Dimmer - a compact 1.8 kW dimmer with an onboard fader, designed for TV, motion picture and other basic dimming applications. The Slim Dimmer's compact size, durability, and ease of operation make it a logical addition to any portable lighting kit. It can also be useful for retail display lighting, still photography, or any other applications where simple dimming is required. The Slim Dimmer utilizes a long throw fader for local control, providing excellent control resolution. It is designed so that the slider and front face are protected by a guard and the 3 digit intensity display allows multiple units to be intensity matched easily. It is sure to come in handy anywhere simple dimming is required. Contact your sales rep for more information on the Slim Dimmer.

The Entertainment Service and Technology Association has developed a recommended practice for the use of GFCI’s (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) in the Entertainment Industry.  The document ANSIE 1.19.2009 was approved as an ANSI Standard on May 15, 2009.

GFCI’s are personnel safety devices that turn off very quickly (within 15 milliseconds) when a very small amount of current (4-6 milliamps) is missing from an electrical circuit. The name stems from the fact that if the current is missing it may be traveling to ground through a person.

Using GFCIs in Entertainment is a double edged sword because of course everyone wants safety but GFCIs are sensitive and nuisance tripping can be a problem.

The document basically follows the requirements of the U.S. and Canadian electrical codes but is more concise and clean. For example, GFCIs are not generally required on Theater stages but the document points out that they are required when circuits are near water tanks or effects. The document also gives tips on how to set up a successful GFCI system and avail nuisance tripping.

Here are three Lex Products that offer GFCI protection:

GFCI Multicable Protector: DB100BS-BD1MSI
Inline Portable GFCI: IGFCI-02841-T
50 Amp GFCI Spider: DB-50NF-BQQ-S3

*Bob Luther was the head of the ESTA TSP task group that authored ANSEI 1.19-2009



Last month we asked "What is the difference between GFCI and GFP?"

Jeff Kaye at PRG Video summed it up nicely with his answer "A GFCI is designed to protect people VS GFP protects equipment. The GFCI trips at a lower milliamp rating for that reason."

Here's Lex's answer, provided by Bob Luther:

GFCI turns off an electrical circuit in order to protect people. GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interruption. GFCI turns off a circuit when 4-6 milliamps of current are missing within 25 milliseconds; quick enough to prevent harm to people in all circumstances. GFCI is the only protection recognized as personnel protection by UL and CSA and the electical codes of US and Canada.

GFP turns off an electrical circuit in order to protect equipment. GFP stands for ground fault protection. It turns off a circuit between 30 milliamps up to 30 amps in order to protect equipment from residual current levels. The levels of current can easily be lethal.

This month's question is for the theatre buffs: "There is one word that it is considered to be extremely bad luck to utter in a theatre. What is that word and what is the remedial action required to nullify the jinx, if the word is uttered?"

Click here to answer. If you get it right you could have some Lex swag coming your way!