Re: Breaker Panel Tie-in... What is the CORRECT way of pull power?
I understand about a qualified electrician doing the tie in.
However, trying to prepare my work box for tie in... What would you bring for the Electrician to use if the venue doesn't have anything?
Tails - a 10' piece of wire with a Female CS connector on the end (or Nema 14-50 if you prefer). That way you can leave it at the end of the night, and pick it up later, if the electrician can't come back right after the show. Or you can drop it off early...
50A-240V breakers - They are pretty cheap at Home Depot (~$10 each). When you have to do a tie-in, go to the venue and look at the box to find out what brand and model of breaker is needed. After a few gigs you will have 3-4 breakers that will cover most of your needs. Always check in advance with any new venue.
Long Zip ties for strain relief on the cable (when necessary)
Voltmeter
Allen Wrenchs, sockets and screwdrivers - The electrician should have these, but you never know.
Make sure you keep these things in a place that can be quickly accessed before you unload the rest of the gear. That way you can hand it off right when you get to the venue, and you can unload the truck while sparky ties in the cable.
As Jay stated a permanent outlet will be much cheaper in the long run. I always try to encourage the venue to install a Nema 14-50, or a CS6369 outlet as a long term solution. I know that all of the smaller sound companies in the area can adapt to either one.
Next weekend I am having an electrician from the local university tie in my power at a side stage. The university is paying his wages. Their portable distro has lots of edisons with GFI. There is also a strain relief, permanently mounted in one of the cutouts. I give the electrician my breaker and tails a few days in advance. When I show up at the stage, the portable distro is there, and my tails are tied in. He provides all the tools for the installation. At the end of the weekend I leave the tails there. On Monday I pick them up from the electrical shop on campus. The 10' length makes it easy for me to pick it up and drop it off in my car (or on my bike). Also it is less expensive, just in case it gets lost. It would be much more expensive if there was another 40' of SO wire attached to it. Other times I hand over the tails when I arrive, and take them when I leave. Either way it is easier to deal with a short cable.