Time for a curtain call
Posted on 11th December 2024
We’re always happy to take centre stage. This time it was to complete a significant LED upgrade and sensor installation at our local theatre in Northampton.
Energy-efficient LED lighting and motion sensors now enhance the public areas, toilets, dressing rooms, and corridors. We also transformed the deco-style wall lights to LEDs to combine the classic look with modern efficiency.
Improved energy efficiency is good for the environment and will help the theatre keep up with its bills.
Electrical considerations for entertainment venues
Theatres, concert halls, arenas and smaller entertainment spaces have some specific electrical requirements.
Theatres, for example, need significant specialist electrical systems. These include production lighting, sound, video, broadcast, stage machinery and special effects. Moving scenery, variable lighting and professional audio systems need special treatment. The same stage must meet the needs of a single performer or a large cast with multiple scene changes. The needs of the performers themselves and audience are important too.
Electricians must provide solutions to meet all these needs safely without affecting performances.
Standards. The Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) provide the foundations for safe electrical installations that meet compliance and licensing requirements. This includes emergency lighting and fire detection systems.
Challenges. Performance and backstage spaces are often very limited meaning electrical distribution needs careful planning. For example, overhead spaces normally ideal for cabling and equipment are probably required for effects and scenery.
Electrical current might easily disrupt microphone signals. Electrical cabling often has to compete for space with other services. To minimise the impact on performance spaces cabling must often follow challenging routes so voltage and impedance are affected.
Planning. Specialist lighting and sound equipment often requires specific electrical supplies, wiring and containment. Connectivity between specialist and other electrical systems for fire safety and building management, for example, requires careful planning.
Power requirements. Flexibility is essential to make the best use of entertainment and performance spaces. Requirements can vary significantly depending on uses such as rehearsal spaces or accommodation for large touring shows.
Lighting. From illuminating the whole stage to a single spotlight electricity supply must meet both maximum and average demand cost effectively.
Infrastructure. Dimmer rooms, audio controllers and motor rooms require electrical hubs and controllers. Large electricity supplies must also support temporary power distribution requirements such as outside broadcast vehicles. A power failure is a major risk; an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can protect key systems.
New technology for entertainment venues
LED lighting for the stage is now available to meet the precise requirements of entertainment venues. Reliable dimming, strong illumination, colour rendering and mixing are now affordable. Hybrid dimmers are now compatible with both new and traditional lighting. However, it isn’t all problem-free, so currents, switching and leakage need consideration.
Many professional sound and video systems are now digital, requiring electrical magnetic compatibility (EMC). Building Information Modelling (BIM) is changing how buildings are designed and refurbished. Especially for publicly funded projects, BIM provides opportunities to coordinate requirements, minimise energy use and simplify maintenance.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss electrical installations for your entertainment or performance space.
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