Supported By

Signal To Noise, Episode 241: Richard Cadena, “Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician”

Power distribution and safety, ESTA's Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) Certified Entertainment Electrician and Portable Power Distribution Certifications, why most rental shop quad boxes are dangerous, and much more.

In a “shocking” Episode 241, Sean and Andy talk with Richard Cadena, author of the book “Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician” who also serves as a freelance lighting designer, lighting consultant, and trainer. He’s worked on concert tours, television, and theatre, and has designed dozens of lighting systems for permanent installations. Richard is also the technical editor for PLASA Media and a columnist for Lighting & Sound America, Lighting & Sound International, and Protocol, and is a member in good standing of IATSE Local 205. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

Topics covered include power distribution and safety, ESTA’s Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) Certified Entertainment Electrician and Portable Power Distribution Certifications, why most rental shop quad boxes are dangerous, what types of multimeters to buy for maximum utility and safety, and much more! Richard would like to thank Overdrive Energy Solutions and Neel Vasavada, Boxer Hardison, and Sean Jacobs, who brought him in on the battery/inverter gigs he talks about in the episode.

Episode Links
“Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician” (Richard’s book)
Richard’s Online & In-Person Training
Richard On Substack
Overdrive Energy Solutions
The Case of the Deadly Arc Flash (article)
Fluke 323 True RMS Clamp Meter
Ideal TightSight Clamp Meters & SureTest Circuit Analyzer
Episode 241 Transcript

Note: For a special 10 percent listener discount on Richard’s in-person classes coming up in Atlanta in March 2024, use the following coupon codes:
Level 1 Training, Code PSW2024L1
Level 2 Training, Code PSW2024L2

You’re Invited To Take The Philosophy Of (Live) Sound Survey (here).

Be sure to check out the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to [email protected] with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

Episode 241 Transcript

Access All Episodes Here

Signal To Noise Top Stories

Supported By