eSET Level 2  Lighting & Electics

Honesty Policy: By starting any exam, you attest that you are taking the exam for the purpose of confirming your knowledge of the content and will not accept outside input, whether from another person, book, web search, etc, for the purpose of scoring higher on this exam.

Accommodations: If you require assistance to take the exam or require accommodations to allow for an accurate assessment of your knowledge of this content, please contact info@usitt.org to make arrangements before starting the exam.

Attempt Limitations: Please be aware that limits have been imposed on the number of times any one person can take any eSET test. An "attempt" is any time the test is started, whether complete or incomplete, pass or fail. After the first incomplete or unsuccessful attempt, the candidate must wait a minimum of 15 days before a second attempt will be allowed. Only two attempts may be made in any 365 day period.

Candidates must take and pass the Level 1 Basics & Safety Exam before attempting a Level 2 - Lighting & Electrics online exam. Those holding a Level 2 certificate will be eligible to take the Level 3 - Lighting & Electrics practical exam.

Reference Materials

eSET Lighting Design & Electrics Lexicon. PDF with terms and definitions available with order. eSET app also available for download from iTunes and Google Play One third of the test will be drawn from the lexicon. Utilize terminology drawn from the lexicon and understand variations/synonyms and regionalisms.

NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC), 2014 Edition. Adopted in all 50 states, NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC) is the benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration: OSHA 10/General Entertainment Safety Training 

The Backstage Handbook: An Illustrated Almanac of Technical Information; Third Edition, Paul Carter and George Chiang (Illustrator), Broadway Press, New York NY, 1994

USITT RP-2, Recommended Practice for Theatrical Lighting Design Graphics - (2006) Curriculum Guide

Curriculum Guide

The following guide broadly outlines the elements contained within the eSET Lighting & Electrics on-line examination. The test covers twenty content areas.

Lighting Instruments

• Identify lighting instruments visually
• Identify lighting instruments by function and characteristic features.
• These include Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights, Fresnels, PAR's and multi-parameter fixtures (intelligent lights).
• Understand synonyms for lighting instruments
• Identify accessories typically used with each type

Lamps

• Visually identify lamps by design, description and function.

Lighting Focus and Beam Distribution

• Identify elements of the light beam including but not limited to: field and beam angles, focus, hot spot, bench focus, edge.

Accessories

• Identify accessories related to fixtures as well as ancillary equipment related to the process of hanging, circuiting and focusing light in a variety of physical lighting positions.

Communication Protocols, Guidelines and Tools

• Identify, utilize and understand varied data communication methods Including Digital Multiplex (DMX), Ethernet and related protocols
• Identify devices commonly used in data communication
• Identify and describe common practices associated with data communication Identify guidelines and terminology associated with data communication.

Electrical Theory

• Define watts, amps and volts
• Utilize computational methods including, but not limited to, the West Virginia Formula.
• Be able to determine watts, amps and volts using common formulas.

Electrical Codes and Best Practice

• Understand safe usage and standard procedures.
• Visual ID of wire by color, size/gauge and application.
• Familiarity with electrical codes drawn from the National Fire Protection Association.
• Understand best practice within the theatrical environment in regard to cable management, power connection procedures and general safety

Wiring and Connectors

• Visual identification of types of stage cable based on wire gauge.
• Visual identification of common connectors (Edison, Twist Lock, Stage Pin (2 P&G), Single Pole Connectors (Cam-lok)),
• Multi-cable and its individual components
• Procedures for wiring plugs and connectors
• Connection sequence and cable management.
• Understanding power distribution and common equipment such as power distros, company switches, drop boxes, raceways, floor pockets, etc.

Personal Safety

• Understand, identify and implement best practices and procedures related to personal safety and demonstrate an awareness of the PPE, Life Safety Code and other mandated procedures and guidelines.
• Understand the names and functions of organizations such as ANSI, OSHA and NFPA.
• Fall Arrest, climbing, ladder usage practices.

Lighting Directions and Basic Lighting Design Concepts

• Identify lighting directions (up, down, side, back, front) as well as the purposes/outcomes of each.

Jobs

• Understand and identify the hierarchy and job descriptions related to the live entertainment environment as related to lighting and electrics.

Intelligent Lighting

• Understand common fixture types and typical parameters
• Understand concepts related to fixture addressing, DMX, its related terminology and communication potentials including physical distances, fixture counts and common troubleshooting.
• Understand various light sources including arc, incandescent and LED.

Lighting Plots and Paperwork

• Read a light plot and identify fixtures by drafting shape and markings, dimmer and channel information, gel, focus, etc.
• Lighting paperwork based on function (dimmer hook-up, channel hook-up, magic sheet.)

Hanging a Plot

• Identify accepted procedures and tools used in hanging a plot.
• Understand related terminology, equipment/accessories

Reading a Tape Measure

• Identify standard units of measurement (feet, inches, fractional measurements.)

Stage Positions and Lighting Positions

• Identify basic stage positions (C, DC, UL, etc.)
• Traditional lighting positions
• Common electrical distribution associated with those positions.

Lightboard Programming and Terminology

• Understand terms related to patching and channel organization (groups, submasters, etc.)
• Understand DMX requirements related to intelligent lighting.

Color Theory and Color Media

• Identify terms related to color media, color mixing, and primary and secondary colors of light.

Knots

• Visually identify commonly used knots.