October 4, 2013 – The Entertainment Electrical Safety Committee of Ontario (EESCO) is committed to developing and maintaining safe electrical standards and working practices for the entertainment industry, and it has recently published a bulletin “Why You Don’t Use Welding Cable (In The Entertainment Industry)”.

The bulletin explains welding cable is intended for use with arc welders. In Canada, it has no voltage rating and is not designed for continuous duty cycle (per CSA C22.2 No. 96) and, therefore, does not meet the requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, for the entertainment industry.

Acceptable single-conductor cable types include: PPC (portable power cable or stage lighting cable), Type W and Type DLO.

The bulletin explains that while welding cable has been used in the entertainment industry because of its flexibility and large gauge sizes, there is the possibility of some nasty consequences, such as:

• liability for any damage or injuries
• risk to workers, talent and the public
• potential equipment malfunction
• fire and shock hazards
• overheating cable
• potential disconnection by AHJ

Download the bulletin below to learn more, and be sure to visit EESCO online.