---
aliases:
  - nec-520
tags:
  - authorship/other
  - destiny/uncertain
  - exclude-from-word-count
  - topic/construction/electrical
  - type/media/reference
title: Article 520 Theaters, Audience Areas of Motion Picture and Television Studios, Performance Areas, and Similar Locations
---
# Article 520 Theaters, Audience Areas of Motion Picture and Television Studios, Performance Areas, and Similar Locations

## Part I. General

### 520.1 Scope.

This article covers all buildings or that part of a building or structure, indoor or outdoor, designed or used for presentation, dramatic, musical, motion picture projection, or similar purposes and to specific audience seating areas within motion picture or television studios.

### 520.2 Definitions.

The definitions in this section shall apply only within this article.

#### Adapter.

A device used to adapt a circuit from one configuration of an attachment plug or receptacle to another configuration with the same current rating.

#### Border Light.

A permanently installed overhead strip light.

#### Breakout Assembly.

An adapter used to connect a multipole connector containing two or more branch circuits to multiple individual branch-circuit connectors.

#### Bundled.

Cables or conductors that are tied, wrapped, taped, or otherwise periodically bound together.

#### Connector Strip.

A metal wireway containing pendant or flush receptacles.

#### Drop Box.

A box containing pendantor flush-mounted receptacles attached to a multiconductor cable via strain relief or a multipole connector.

#### Footlight.

A border light installed on or in the stage.

#### Grouped.

Cables or conductors positioned adjacent to one another but not in continuous contact with each other.

#### Performance Area.

The stage and audience seating area associated with a temporary stage structure, whether indoors or outdoors, constructed of scaffolding, truss, platforms, or similar devices, that is used for the presentation of theatrical or musical productions or for public presentations. ^c6c061

#### Portable Equipment.

Equipment fed with portable cords or cables intended to be moved from one place to another.

#### Portable Power Distribution Unit.

A power distribution box containing receptacles and overcurrent devices.

#### Proscenium.

The wall and arch that separates the stage from the auditorium (house).

#### Solid-State Phase-Control Dimmer.

A solid-state dimmer where the wave shape of the steady-state current does not follow the wave shape of the applied voltage, such that the wave shape is nonlinear.

#### Solid-State Sine Wave Dimmer.

A solid-state dimmer where the wave shape of the steady-state current follows the wave shape of the applied voltage such that the wave shape is linear.

#### Stage Equipment.

Equipment at any location on the premises integral to the stage production including, but not limited to, equipment for lighting, audio, special effects, rigging, motion control, projection, or video.

#### Stage Lighting Hoist.

A motorized lifting device that contains a mounting position for one or more luminaires, with wiring devices for connection of luminaires to branch circuits, and integral flexible cables to allow the luminaires to travel over the lifting range of the hoist while energized.

#### Stage Switchboard.

A permanently installed switchboard, panelboard, or rack containing dimmers or relays with associated overcurrent protective devices, or overcurrent protective devices alone, used primarily to feed stage equipment.

#### Stage Switchboard, Portable.

A portable rack or pack containing dimmers or relays with associated overcurrent protective devices, or overcurrent protective devices alone that are used to feed stage equipment.

#### Stand Lamp (Work Light).

A portable stand that contains a general-purpose luminaire or lampholder with guard for the purpose of providing general illumination on the stage or in the auditorium.

#### Strip Light.

A luminaire with multiple lamps arranged in a row.

#### Two-Fer.

An assembly containing one male plug and two female cord connectors used to connect two loads to one branch circuit.
