Now in its fourth edition, Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician and Technician is a comprehensive, practical study guide for aspiring and working professionals in live event production.
The book begins with basic electrical principles and circuits, then progresses to advanced topics such as 3-phase power, power calculations, harmonics, grounding/earthing and bonding, generators, and battery power. Throughout, it bridges the gap between theory and practical application, emphasizing electrical safety at every step. With ample photographs and illustrations, practice problems and solutions, and real-world examples from experience and first-hand accounts, it provides readers with the knowledge to safely design, set up, and monitor power distribution systems.
The fourth edition includes updated technology throughout, new and expanded information on safety, DC systems, and clean energy technology, more graphics and end-of-chapter quiz questions, all with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Also new to this edition are appendices containing US to UK terminology and imperial to metric conversions.
Covering topics that are listed in the content outline for the ETCP Entertainment Electrician Certification exam as well as the ETCP Portable Power Distribution Technician Certification exam, this book supports students and practicing technicians and provides new technicians the assistance they need for a successful career in the entertainment industry.
Additional resources, including conversion tables, voltage drop spreadsheets, articles from Lighting & Sound International, Lighting & Sound America, and Protocol, and animations and illustrations depicting electricity and electric power distribution developed for the author’s workshops, can be found on the companion website www.electrics.tech.
Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician, 4th Edition
1. Foundations of Electrical Systems
2. Circuits and Circuit Laws
3. DC Power
4. Introduction to Alternating Current
5. 3-Phase Power
6. Power Factor and Single-Phase Power Calculations
7. Harmonics
8. 3-Phase Power Calculations
9. Power Generators
10. Battery Power
11. Electrical Safety
12. Grounding/Earthing and Bonding
13. Overcurrent and Ground Fault Protection
14. Dimming Systems
15. Portable Power Distribution
16. Show Prep
17. Setting Up and Monitoring
Richard Cadena is an ETCP Recognized Trainer and ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician with over 38 years of experience in live event and film/television production. As a freelance lighting consultant and production electrician, he has worked on concert tours, corporate events, music festivals, television, theatre, motion pictures, sporting events, and more. He serves as the technical editor for L&SA Media and writes columns for Lighting & Sound America, Lighting & Sound International, and Protocol. A proud member of IATSE Local 205, he is also a sought-after speaker and trainer in the industry.
