Technical Design Solutions for Theatre

A Self-paging Cable Tray

Loren Schreiber

Distributing power to a wagon or slip-stage is problematic at best. When the distribution system includes a mix of fluid-power hoses and electrical, control, and audio cables, paging the bundle as the wagon moves can be a challenge. Some traditional methods, particularly those that use carrier chains or self-retracting cable reels, are expensive. Others like festooning, require complex rigging, which is not always an option especially if the scenery is too low to hide the system. A simple, inexpensive solution suitable in many situations is the self-paging cable tray described here. It can be built with simple hand tools and from materials commonly found around the shop: a few boards, a couple of strap ...