Learning Your System

So what do I need to know?

1. Infrastructure as it relates to power and data, and network and emergency (if applicable)
2. Lighting fixtures: type, manufacturer, model, and mode (if applicable)
3. Sources of output
4. If system if networked: IP scheme and addresses being used
5. If system is in emergency mode: how does it receive its panic signal and is the system "normally open" or "normally closed"

Okay, but what does this mean?

Infrastructure: This breaks down into:

1. What equipment do you have: dimmer racks and relay panels, consoles, gateways, switches, fixtures, architectural processor and stations
2. How does each piece of equipment speak to one another: DMX (wired and wireless), network/ sACN, Lon/ Echo

Lighting fixtures: Lighting fixtures come in all kinds of flavors nowadays; and each flavor has it own nuances.

• Type: Incandescent, LED, retro-fit LED, 0-10v, moving head
• Manufacturer: Who made it? Example: Toyota, ETC, Elation, Phillips
• Model: The style of fixture. Example: Corolla, ColorSource Spot V, Lonestar, Source Four Series 2 Daylight HD 
• Mode: Intelligent fixtures can have different modes that offer different variations of control and features. This determines how many DMX addresses the fixture is using. Example: A Source Four Series 3 Lustr x8 has 6 modes (1ch, RGB/ 3ch, Direct, Expanded, HSCI, Studio) 

Sources of Output: What equipment can tell your lighting system what to do. It's common to have an Entertainment source and an Architectural Source, but certainly not necessary. A frequent issue that is seen by Tech Support is these devices competing against one another resulting in undesired or incomplete control over a system from one source. 

• Entertainment sources: Eos,  ColorSource, and Hog consoles
• Architectural sources: Paradigm Architectural Control Processor, EchoTouch, Echo stations, Echo DMX Scene controller, Mosaic controllers, EchoFlex controllers

Network??? I know; believe me I know. A network is a system of interconnected devices that share data. Key terms:

• Switch: This is the hub of your network; its a device which connects multiple devices on a Local Area Network (LAN.)
• IP address: The equipment's unique network identity you assign; like a house address.
• Subnet mask: A numeric ID that is used to divide the network; like zip codes.
• Ethernet and fiber: These are types of cables used to make the physical connection to each device on the network; like roads.
• Wireless Access Point (WAP) or Router: These take the hardwired signal and transmits it to wireless.
  • Additionally, a router can connect multiple networks; like a interstate or county highway. 

There's an Emergency mode? Sometimes; and it depends on how your system was designed. An Emergency system is responsible for providing power and data when normal power is lost. Key terms:

• The Sense Device: What tells the system "Hey! We're in Emergency!" This can be a fire alarm, Emergency Bypass Detection Kit, Master Phase Loss Detector, or other external emergency detector. 
• Panic Signal: The route between devices sending that "Hey! We're in Emergency!" signal. 
• Normally Open and Normally Closed: How the signal is configured. If the device is configured to always see a panic signal (Normally Closed) and then that signal is broken (to an open state), the system will go into an emergency state. Verse visa for Normally Open. 

How to Keep Track of All This Information

1. Get a system riser or make one: A system riser is a drawing that lays out your system and illustrates how it's connected.
   1. To see if a system riser already exists: contact whoever installed the system; or if ETC was involved in designing the system, you can email Service@etcconnect.com to see if we have one on file.
2. Instrument schedule, light plot, or channel hookup: These are types of traditionally theatrical paperwork that organizes fixture information such as fixture type, wattage, location, address, and channel. 
3. Lists on lists: List of IP addresses being used and by what, list of touchscreen passcodes and access levels, list of venue contacts who have knowledge of the system, list of software versions being used, etc. 
4. Keep it all in one place: Stage Managers have prompt books; Lighting Designers have production books; now you'll have a System book.