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A
AMPERAGE
A measure of the amount of current flowing in an electric circuit. Devices
such as cables and dimmers are rated in terms of their maximum capacity in
amps. Devices such as lamps or motors that consume electrical energy rated
in terms of amperage required for proper operation. Any technician working
with electrical equipment must understand how to properly connect equipment
to not create an overload situation. Standard 12/3 stage cable is rated for
20 amps maximum. Amperage=Wattage/Voltage.
AMX (ANALOG MULTIPLEX)
A classification of control protocols which sends analog dimmer control
signals serially down two wires. A common AMX protocal is AMX 192 which
allows up to 192 dimmers to be controlled via a two wire control cable.
ANALOG or 0-10V CONTROL
A method of separating the control of the light into two halves. The low
voltage half (Usually the controller) does not need to have any high
voltages internally and so can be made intrinsically safe. Because the main
switching is away from the controller the controller can be smaller. The
controller is connected to either a switch or dimmer pack by control wires
carrying signals from 0 to +10V , Where 0=Off, 5V=50% and 10V=full on.
ANALOG SIGNAL
A continuously variable signal that can have any value over a given range.
In lighting: an analog voltage within the range 0 to 10 Volts can have
values of 0, 2, 8.785 or any value between. Most dimmers require an analog
voltage in order to operate (from 0 to -10V or 0 to +10V depending on the
manufacturer). Most lighting control desks produce a digital multiplexed
output, which is converted by a demux box to an analog signal for the
dimmer. Sound: An analog recording will record the exact waveform of the
original sound, simply converting it to an electrical signal at the
microphone, and back into air movement at the speaker.
ANGSTROM
Unit of measurement of length (e.g. for wavelengths of light). 1 Angstrom is
equal to one ten billionth (1 x 10-10) of a metre.
ANSI / A.N.S.I.
American National Standards Institute. Three letter ANSI codes are used in
the US to identify lamps.
ANTI PROSCENIUM
Originally Ante Proscenium, meaning in front of the proscenium.
APRON
Part of stage which protrudes past the proscenium towards the audience
ARCHITECTURAL LAMP
A type of linear filament lamp with contacts at 90 degrees to the filament
which can gives the appearance of a continuous line of light (similar to
neon, but dimmable).
ARCLINE
A colored plastic tube containing a number of small strobe units which, when
triggered, flash in sequence down the tube. Many tubes can be connected
together.
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