Bringing trailer/stage up to code

T

TLawrence89

Member
Location
Minneapolis
Occupation
Electrician
Hello all, I was asked to look at a stage with some receptacles that had been working at some point in history but are no longer. I came out to the storage facility to give things a look over and chat with the owner of the thing.

The stage itself is a trailer frame that has a lowering side that becomes half the stage. There whole thing is fed by a dryer receptacle power input, feeding a residential panel with a 100 amp main breaker. The rest of the assortment of problems I wasn't even willing to acknowledge due to the fact that I couldn't overlook that this stages 100amp panel was fed by 10awg wiring. The insulation on the red phase wire that is terminated to one of the main lugs is cut all the way to bare copper.

Now other than quite a few things I know off the top of my head must be corrected, the means of the input power connection to this contraption is what I'm having trouble with. I can't figure out what to classify this structure as, therefore I don't know where to start in the code.

I'm thinking about an outdoor 100 amp disconnect (if I'm going to keep the size of the temp service the same), or 60 amp instead? Either a fused or breaker protected disconnect that is on the outside of the stage/trailer. Then a main lug only panel on the inside of the thing at stage level to replace the resi. Panel that currently exists. There is a 60 amp breaker and 50 amp receptacle directly under the panel which I assume the music groups or whoever use for something. Could I incorporate a 30-50amp RV outlet box to
Replace this?

The whole thing has receptacles on the back wall, front ground and top. Assuming that some are for lights, speakers, and whatever else. Any insight into what a small town mobile event/concert stage would need that may be easily overlooked would be helpful. Thanks in advance for those who attempt to help me figure this out.
 
Hmm...
How big is this thing? A 16' wide stage doesn't need much for an afternoon concert in the park.
The 100 amp panel isn't a problem unless it's getting a feed that's protected at a higher rating; shouldn't be an issue.
I would replace the incoming feed with either a 14-50 electric range plug, or by preference a CS-style plug (CS6365 for cord-mount 250/125v) on some 6/4 SOOW cord. You could also use the panel-mount of that connector and use a M/F cord to connect to the source.
After that, a main to match the feed size, then 6-10 20a circuits spread around the trailer, mostly low but maybe a couple high. Certainly replace all the outlets/switches/breakers and megger the wiring.
 
Thank you for taking the time/your response. That does help as far as a place to start. I still would like to know where in the code one would look for this type of thing or what it would be classified
 
Setups like this fall seem to through the cracks- not a fixed structure, not a mobile home, not really a "park trailer", etc. IMHO the best you can do is follow good wiring practices and size for the expected load. Oh, and bond the chassis but don't (of course) bond the grounded conductor; you have a feeder coming in, not a service.

That said, read through the sections on park trailers and also article 525 "Carnivals, Circuses, Fairs, and Similar Events", that might help.
 
Yes.

(Either one- breakers cost more but are harder to smash; OTOH they're also harder to reset if the panel is locked. I'd probably go for the receptacles.)

Don't forget all the usual wet/outdoor stuff like in-use covers (which will probably break in a year or so, but at least you had them :D ).
 
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