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Frequently
Asked Questions:
E-match questions:
How Many E-matches will shoot
on one cue series wiring ?
- 1 E-match per each volt of
system voltage minus 3 E-matches for each hundred feet
of cabling
How many E-matches will shoot with a parallel wiring
?
- 6 E- matches for most 24 volt
24 ga systems per circuit, additional E-matches will
ignite but can damage switches and connectors.
Suggestion is add additional circuits for firing more
than 6-matches at once in parallel
circuits
How many E-matches will shoot with series parallel
wiring?
- This a powerful solution for
igniting many E-matches at once but requires technically
competent personnel to calculate this circuit. A 24
volt system with a series parallel circuit
can ignite up to 60 to 80 E-matches with 300
feet of wire if configured properly
Firing system power questions:
How many volts for firing E-matches?
- 1 volt dc per E-match on a
circuit plus 3 volts for each hundred feet of 24
ga cabling and shot wire.
What is the correct hook wire gauge?
- 18-22-24 ga shot wire are
common wire gauges utilized for E-matches. 24 ga in
most cases is adequate.
How big of a battery for firing E-matches?
- Series circuits recommendation
of 1- amp minimum battery capacity
- Parallel circuits recommendation
is a minimum of 3 amp capacity battery
System test questions:
How come the system test good in the after noon and
test bad at show time?
- Condensation gathers on the
electrical equipment at sundown which can cause
problems with continuity test and communications
test.
Why do E-matches test good and don't ignite?
- E-matches will usually not
fire over 70ohms resistance and many firing systems
will show a good circuit up to 10,000 ohms of
resistance.
Why do firing cues which are not used light up for
testing?
- Usually moisture is the
culprit or a damaged cable however sometimes it is a miss wired
circuit.
Before show questions:
Why do they shunt E-matches and firing modules?
- E-match are shunted or
shorted to stop the possibility of static
discharge of an E-match.
After the show questions:
How come indicator lights do not go out after firing
a cue?
- The igniter wire inside the
E-match does not break opening the circuit
- E-match wire shorted out after
firing
- E-match circuit was over 70
ohms and never ignited
Is there a control cable that
does not burn during a show?
- Probably not for the budgets
allowed for Fireworks. A burning pyrotechnic star
landing on a cable with a temperature of several
thousand degrees will burn all affordable cables used
with pyrotechnics. Covering cables with sand and
aluminum foil is a effective protection from
burned cables.
Should unfired E-matches be shunted before
removing pyrotechnic devices?
- Yes because you want eliminate
static discharge ignition of an E-match when handling.
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