Build Partner Reference
COLOR DOME
LED + Power + Control Spec Sheet — v1.2
The Color Dome is a touring interactive LED exhibit by Sightseer Interactive where guests use their bodies and memories to create color.
Inside the 11-meter dome, depth-sensing cameras track movement and map it to a position on a three-dimensional color wheel — hue, saturation, and brightness — illuminating the dome’s 29,050-pixel LED array in real time. As more guests enter, the inner surface subdivides using mitosis-inspired geometry, creating a unique, collaborative collage of color and memory.
The system runs on a Python-based runtime stack with sACN-controlled LED output at 30 fps.
The purpose of this document is to provide a topline set of assumptions for the physical build. Our goal is to better understand power consumption, best practices for wiring and LED control, with safety and performance in mind.
Note that we plan for two variants of the dome, and the numbers below refer to the larger “Outdoor” version.
Thank you for taking a look!
29,050 addressable pixels • 11m diameter • Spiral topology
Blender renders — CDRS Preview Master, March 2026
AT A GLANCE
29,050
RGB Pixels
11m
Dome Diameter
171
sACN Universes
5.0 kW
Nominal AC Power
LED SPECIFICATION
| LED IC | WS2815 (12V, RGB) |
| Pixel Count | 29,050 |
| Density | 60 LED/m |
| Total Strip Length | ~484 m |
| Topology | Spiral orange-peel, ~36.7 turns |
| Row Spacing | 0.15 m (6 in) |
| Signal Redundancy | Dual-signal backup (dead pixel bypass) |
| Door Exclusions | 2 entrances (191 + 291 LEDs removed) |
Why WS2815 at 12V
- ✓ 3–4x lower current vs 5V (WS2812B): 15 mA vs 60 mA per pixel
- ✓ Power injection every 2.5–3m (vs every 1m at 5V)
- ✓ ~160 injection points vs ~500+ at 5V
- ✓ Dual-signal: single dead pixel doesn't kill the chain
- ✓ Moderate cable gauge (10–12 AWG trunk vs 4–6 AWG at 5V)
POWER ARCHITECTURE
Power Draw
| Scenario | Per LED | System |
|---|---|---|
| Max (full white) | 18 mA | 6,276 W |
| Software-capped 65% | ~12 mA | 4,080 W |
| Typical interactive | 7 mA | 2,440 W |
Distributed PSU Strategy
| Topology | 8 zones, 1 PSU per zone |
| PSU Model | Mean Well SE-600-12 (600W, 12V, 50A) |
| Per Zone Load | ~3,630 LEDs → ~510W DC @ 65% |
| PSU Utilization | 85% (510W / 600W capacity) |
| Total Units | 8 active + 2 spares |
| AC Input | Universal 90–264V (touring-ready) |
VENUE POWER REQUIREMENTS (TECH RIDER)
US / 120V: 4× 20A/120V dedicated circuits (NEMA 5-20R)
OR 2× 30A/208V circuits (L6-30R preferred)
EU / 230V: 3× 16A/230V circuits (CEE 7/7 or PowerCON)
Total draw: 5.0 kW nominal, 5.5 kW peak
Requirements: Same phase • Clean power (no shared dimmers)
Cable Gauge Reference
| AC mains → PSU | 12 AWG SOOW (touring-rated) |
| PSU → zone bus | 10 AWG stranded (<3m) |
| Zone bus → injection | 18 AWG stranded (<1.5m) |
| On-strip power rail | 20 AWG (built in), inject every 2.5m |
Power Injection
- Interval: Every 2.5–3m (150–180 LEDs)
- Total injection points: ~160–195
- Per tap: 2× 18 AWG (V+ and GND) to nearest zone bus
- Acceptable voltage drop: <0.5V (4.2% of 12V)
CONTROL ARCHITECTURE
Protocol & Network
| Protocol | sACN (E1.31) multicast |
| Universes | 171 (170 px/universe × 3ch) |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps (26.2 Mbps) |
| Sync | E1.31 Universe Synchronization |
| Network | Dedicated VLAN, IGMP snooping |
| Subnet | 10.0.10.0/24 |
| Switch | Luminex GigaCore 16Xt (touring) |
| Cabling | Cat6 STP + Neutrik EtherCON |
Controllers
| Model | Advatek PixLite E16-S Mk3 |
| Outputs per Unit | 16 SPI |
| Pixels per Output | ~302 (at 30 fps) |
| Total Controllers | 6 active + 2 spares |
| Total SPI Outputs | 96 |
| Pixel Protocols | WS2811/12/13/15, SK6812, APA102 |
| Config | Web-based, sACN native multicast |
End-to-End Signal Path
Brain Computer (CDRS v1)
↓ sACN multicast • 171 universes • 30 fps
Managed Switch (Luminex GigaCore, VLAN 10, IGMP)
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Ctrl1 Ctrl2 Ctrl3 Ctrl4 Ctrl5 Ctrl6
PixLite E16-S Mk3 × 6 (96 SPI outputs)
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Zone1 Zone2 Zone3 Zone4 Zone5 Zone6
~4,840 px each • WS2815 12V • Spiral topology
CONNECTORS & CABLING
| Connection | Connector | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AC mains → distro | PowerCON TRUE1 | Locking, IP65, touring-rated |
| AC distro → PSU | PowerCON 20A | Standard touring power |
| DC PSU → zone bus | XT60 / Anderson PP45 | High-current DC, tool-free |
| DC bus → injection | XT30 / JST-SM 2-pin | Low-current DC tap |
| Switch → controller | EtherCON (NE8MX6) | Cat6, rugged, locking |
| Controller → strip | xConnect 3-pin / Ray Wu | Pre-terminated pigtails |
Field Serviceability
- • All connections tool-free (push-fit, twist-lock)
- • No soldering in the field
- • Individual 2.5m strip segments replaceable
- • Every cable labeled (heat-shrink print)
- • Setup target: 4–6 hours (LED system only)
- • Teardown target: 3–4 hours
COST SUMMARY
| Category | Budget | Mid | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED strips (WS2815) | $5,350 | $7,000 | $8,025 |
| Power (PSUs, distro, wiring) | $3,100 | $3,800 | $4,500 |
| Control (controllers, network) | $3,350 | $5,500 | $10,230 |
| Cabling / connectors | $400 | $600 | $800 |
| Total | $12,200 | $16,900 | $23,555 |
Does not include: dome structure, diffusion fabric, compute hardware, CV cameras, installation labor.
SAFETY & COMPLIANCE
Applicable Codes
- • NEC Article 518 (Assembly Occupancies)
- • NEC Article 525 (Carnivals, Fairs)
- • NEC Article 590 (Temporary Installations)
- • UL-listed PSUs (Mean Well)
- • Fire-rated cable for all AC wiring
- • Local AHJ approval required per venue
Protection
- • GFCI on all AC circuits
- • 50A blade fuse per zone DC output
- • 5A inline fuse per injection tap
- • Star ground topology (single reference point)
- • Dome frame bonded as equipment ground
- • Staggered zone startup (500ms delay between zones)
FAULT TOLERANCE
| Failure | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 LED dies | Chain continues (dual-signal bypass) | Replace strip segment at next window |
| 1 PSU fails | 1 zone dims (12.5% of dome) | Hot-swap from 2 onsite spares |
| 1 controller fails | 1 zone dark (~17% of dome) | Hot-swap pre-configured spare |
| Network switch fails | Entire dome dark | Spare switch, 2-minute swap |
Sightseer Interactive • 2026
Questions? jonathan@sightseer.fun
Topology ref: topo-sha256-6d9ea18958f6 • 29,050 LEDs • Document v1.2 • March 2026