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Frequently Asked Questions

TMB Questions
Are you a Rental Company?
Do you sell Christmas lights?
Are you open on Saturday?
What does F.O.B. mean?

Ampacity Electrical Questions
Can a cable rated at 100A support a full continous 12K load?
What is the maximum length of cable for 1000 watt loads in 16 gauge, 14 gauge, 12 gauge and 10 gauge?
What's the difference between ETL Listing & UL Listing?
Is a "Sister-lug" "legal"?
Is a "Studio Pin" "legal"?
Should I buy Type W feeder cable or Entertainment Grade? Are they both equally "Legal"?
Are single-pole cam type connectors legal or do I have to use an interlocked system?
Is all "Type W" cable legal?

Cables
What are the advantages of using ProPlex data cables with FEP insulation?
What is the correct wiring for 4-pin XLR cables?
What is the standard wiring for an ACL bar?
What's the difference between a Fan-out & a Break-out?
Can I terminate my multicable directly to stage pin connectors or do I have to always use a breakout?
Is your DMX cable shielded/UL Listed?
Will your cables make my P.A. systems Buzz?
Can you use mic cable for DMX?
Can I use 2/0 cable for dimmer pack feeders?
Do you sell 2/0 Type W/Entertainment cable?
Can I get 5-wire feeder all in one cable?
How long should my feeder tails be?
What is SC Cable? Is it the same as EISL Cable?
What's with the knots in the sash cord on feeder cables in the film industry?

Connectors
Are there two versions of a 6-pin XLR?
What is the pin out on a 7-pin Socapex?
What does the 19th pin of a Socapex do?
Do VSC & Socapex mate?
What is the standard wiring of 6-circuit cables using Socapex compatible connectors?
What is the standard wiring of 12 circuit cables?
Can you use Socapex for 8 or 9 circuit load distribution?
Do you sell a Rosco Bates manufactured by Advance Devices?
Do you carry Cam-Lok helox devices?
Are my single-pole cam connectors water proof?
How do you assemble a single-pole cam connector?
Is a single-pole cam connector a locking device?
Is it standard to have the sex of neutral & ground cam connectors reversed?

Control Consoles
Where can I find multi-sync monitors for lighting consoles?

Expendables/Accessories
Do the sandbags you sell come with sand?
Which is the male side of Velcro?
Is your gaffers tape really sticky? Does it leave residue?
How long will my 9-volt batteries last?
Is the DF-50 a fogger or a hazer?
Do I have to use the manufacturer's fog juice in my fog machine?
Can you use fog juice in DF-50's?
What is a "hank"? How many feet are in a hank.?


Ethernet Cabling
What is Ethernet?
What official standard organizations cover Ethernet cabling products?
What is the difference between the types UTP, FTP and SFTP?
What is ‘Patch’ cable?
What is the difference between 10Base 5, 10Base T, 100BaseT and 1000BaseT?
What does the abbreviation ‘Base’ mean?
What is the maximum length of Ethernet cable runs?
What is the difference between a ‘Straight through’ cable and a ‘Cross-over’ Cable?
What do the CATegories define?
What is the difference between CAT5 and CAT5E?
What is the typical construction and number of wires used in Ethernet cables?
Why is ProPlex Ethernet classified as a ‘Patch’ cable?
What makes ProPlex Ethernet superior to all other Ethernet cables on the Market?
Is ProPlex Ethernet suitable for ‘reeling’ applications?
What do the electrical parameters actually mean?
Does TMB intend developing a CAT6 stranded Ethernet cable?
What is the standard thickness of gold plating on an RJ45 plug contact?
Can ProPlex perform in Sub-Zero temperatures?
Do Male to Female Ethernet assemblies exist?

Fixtures
Is your Par can silver or chrome?
What is the difference between a snoot & a top hat?
Is the ETC Iris compatible with Altman Ellipsoidals?
What's the standard lamp for an 8-lite unit?
Can you interchange all ETC Source Four lens tubes on any of the ETC ellipsoidal bodies?
Does ETC make a zoom ellipsoidal?
What's a Lobsterscope?

Lamps
What does "PAR" stand for?
What is the difference between a PAR 20 and a PAR 16?
What is the difference between an HMI and an MSR?
What is the difference between the 800hr & 2000 hr par 64's?
What is the difference between the 300hr & 2000hr HPL575 lamp for ETC fixtures?
Why do my HPL lamps seem to go ka-pow after about the third time I switch them on on a hot circuit, or after I leave them on for 3 or 4 days?
Does a PAR 20 and a PAR 16 use the same lamp?
Is there a difference between an E26 and an E27 type lamp base?

Lighting Effects
Is the Aquaram water proof?
Are Cyberlights, Golden Scans or RoboScans available in 12OV?
Will Wybron changers work off of Rainbow power supplies?

Trussing/Rigging
Are spansets legal for permanent installations?
Is my Tomcat/Thomas Lighting truss compatible with those of other manufacturers?
For joining truss together, which is stronger? Bolts or Cam-Locks?
What length of chain do I use for a 30' G/S motor?
Do TomCat, TFL & Thomas trusses inter-mate?
What are the standard twist-locks for chain motors?
Can I use 12x12 Light Duty Truss for Ground Support uprights?
What are the standard sizes of rigging steel?

FASQs (Frequently Asked Silly Questions)
Can this console make coffee too?
How much does a 50# base weigh?
How long is a 6x9 and how far will it throw?
How many batteries are in a gross?
What is the standard wiring?
What does TMB stand for?
Can I put a 500 watt lamp in my 1K fixture?
How many circuits are there in a 4 light CYC?
Is a 200 amp "cam" interchangeable with a 400 amp?
How bright is a 6K?
Is it worth buying GE long life (Quartz) PAR lamps?
Is one truss manufacturer stronger than another?
Is there a standard distro for lighting systems?

If there are any questions you frequently ask, let us know!
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