Professional Electricians

Our rig required a single phase power distro. Unlike the distro's of today. We would connect 4 single lines of feeder to our huge 800 lb dimmer rack and then the entire show including audio would power from the dimmer rack. Now I was about 20 years old at this point, and between Jimmy and I there was really a lot to get done every day when we would load in. So, once the first couple of shows happened, I inherited the job of doing the tie-in. 

This was pivotal in my career... understanding electricity... being too young to be scared of it. Having to figure out amperage, voltage and doing these tie-ins in theaters, schools, and churches all over America. 

I was doing these tie-ins at many different venues along the tour. Some of them were easy because the venue had a proper disconnect on the stage, so the tie-in happened while the power was off, and then it was easy to meter the lugs and make sure that they were dead.

Other times, I would be in the electrical room of a church, and have to unscrew the cover of the panel off and then with an allen wrench covered in electrical tape, unscrew the main feed to the panel and then slide our tail up inside the 200 amp lug and tighten it back up risking life and limb. 

There were times when I unscrewed the main leads of an 800 amp service with the power till live. So, ignorance is bliss. I really didn't understand how dangerous this whole process was. I just knew that it was in my best interest to do it right.

 

So, we landed at this one high school and I talked to the maintenance guy and found that the auditorium had no proper power disconnect. He grabbed a 6' ladder and went out into the hall behind the stage and climbed up into a drop ceiling to reveal some kind of power distribution/breaker panel. I climb up there with a screwdriver, set and my allen wrenches. The four leads hanging around my neck so that I could maintain control over them, and unscrew one of the main power lugs so that I could slide my own hot lead in next to it. KABAMM!!!

Sparks everywhere... I am still holding on to their power lead trying not to move it, my hair is singed and all the hairs on my arm are totally burned off. There are kids screaming.. running around freaking out, and I am 6 feet in the air on a rickety wooden ladder. 

Turns out that the box that the maintenance guy told me to tie into, was feeding a large HVAC unit, and while I had the lug loosened, the HVAC unit kicked in and drew a huge load, causing it to arc and explode in my face. I held fast, and got the lug tightened back up. I suppose the adrenaline helped me get through it. Climbed down off the ladder, and Jimmy who had heard the commotion came around the corner and looked at me, and in a very calm voice,  asked...  "you ok?" I said yes.. he said.. "ok" and went back to work. 

Thats what I loved about working with Jimmy.. no drama.