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P
POLE OPERATION
A mechanical means whereby pan (horizontal rotation), tilt (up and down) and focus of a lantern may be adjusted by a pole from floor level. Commonly used in TV & Film studios where fast resetting of positions is necessary.
POTENTIOMETER
Intensity control device used in dimmers. May be either a rotary knob or linear slide type element. A variable resistor used in analog control.
POWERCON
Power connector with the same body design as the SPEAKON speaker connector. Manufactured by Neutrik. Used extensively on lighting patch panels (at least in the UK) due to its smaller physical size.
PRACTICAL
Any object which appears to do onstage the same job it would do in life, or any working apparatus (eg light switch or tap). Light fittings which have to light up on the set are called Practicals.
PREFOCUS CAP
A type of lamp base which ensures that the filament is correctly lined up relative to the reflector and lens.
PREHEAT / PRE-HEAT
Smoother lighting builds from zero are achieved when a lamp filament has been warmed (at approx 15%) in the previous state. Preheating lamps MAY prolong the life of the lamp by reducing the thermal "shock" of going to 100% instantly. It's good practice to preheat lamps where possible, and some computerized lighting desks provide this function at the push of a button.
PRE-HUNG TRUSS
A truss or truss section which has been pre-assembled with lighting equipment and connecting devices in the shop prior to installation at load-in. Using a pre-hung truss saves many hours when loading a show in or out, and makes for an efficient method of storing equipment on a truck.
PRELUDE
Range of 500W/650W lanterns produced by Rank Strand (now Strand Lighting) in the UK.
PREPROGRAMMING
Storing commands into memory to be recalled for playback later.
PRESET
- Anything in position before the beginning of a scene or act (eg Props placed on stage before the performance, lighting state on stage as the audience are entering).
- An indepenently controllable section of a manual lighting board which allows the setting up of a lighting state before it is needed. Each preset has a master fader which selects the maximum level of dimmers controlled by that preset.
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