A month a ago, we announced the upcoming release of Richard Cadena’s latest book, Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician form Focal Press. iSquint is honored to have received an advanced copy of the book to do a review.

About The Author

Mr. Cadena is the editor of Projection, Lights and Staging News (PLSN), an ETCP (Entertainment Technician Certification Program) Certified Entertainment Electrician, and ETCP recognized trainer, freelance lighting designer, consultant, and author of three other books about lighting.  Mt. Cadena has been involved with the entertainment lighting industry for over 22 years, and has worked for manufacturers, in the theatre, and on the road touring.

From the Rear Cover

The application of electricity for the theatre or a concert stage is not the same as that for a residence or commercial building.  Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician provides you with the fundamentals of theory of electricity as well as the latest guidelines and tips for how to stay safe and current and meet the needs of the entertainment industry.  Written by an ETCP trainer, this reference supports practicing technicians and provides new technicians the assistance needed for a successful career in the entertainment industry.

Sections

• The Theory of Electricity
• Electrical Concepts
• DC Electricity
• AC Electricity
• Circuit Elements
• AC Power
• Electrical Safety
• Grounding/Earthing
• Overcurrent and Undercurrent Protection
• Power Distribution Systems
• Dimming Systems
• Best Practices, Codes, and Regulations

Review

We first start off our review with the first thing that Mr. Cadena states in the introduction of the book.  While almost all of the information in this book is practical thought the US and other countries, it is not a replacement for local codes and regulations.  If there is ever a situation were the book differs from local codes, local codes supersedes the book.

Mr. Cadena has taken a great amount of his time and energy to put together this wonderful book.  The book is jam packed with information, history, concepts and formulas when dealing with electricity.  If you are expecting a book that gives general insight and common setups with in the theatre or on stage, move on, this book is not for you.  Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician is for the serious Master Electrician or aspiring stage hand looking to advance their career by understanding of how electricity works and is utilized in the entertainment industry.  Mr. Cadena is an ETCP certified Entertainment Electrician and trainer and has geared this book after classes that he presents on the subject.  This book goes way past the West Virginia Law, (W=V x A) and covers advanced topics such as the theory of electricity down to the subatomic particle level, Electrical concepts such a power versus energy and much more.

The book reads more like a college level text book with questions following each section to help you review and understand the material. There is a lot of advanced material contained in the book with formulas to calculate everything from Ohm’s Law, Apparent power, Capacitive reactance to Parallel resistance.  Towards the back of the book there are helpful conversion in distance, joule, BTU and watt hours.

Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician can be an overwhelming weekend read as it is jam packed with information.  We highly recommend taking your time reading and understanding the material covered in the book.  Not only is the information important, but when dealing with electricity, there is the potential for bodily harm and/or death.

After reading Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician, you have interest in attending an ETCP certification class on Electricity, visit the ETCP website, http://etcp.esta.org, to find a class near you.

For more information or to purchase your copy of Electricity for the Entertainment Electrcican & Technician, visit the PLSN Bookshelf at www.plsnbookshelf.com. The paperback copy of the book runs $44.95 and has begun to ship.