Fuses
High speed video of Domestic Quickmatch
Pipe Match & PIC (plastic igniter cord)
It is easier to get Pipe Match to takeover from PIC than the other way round,
but the same joint is used in both cases to ensure reliability. First and inch
or so of the plastic outer is stripped from the PIC to expose the compound
core. The PIC is the folded back along itself where the plastic outer is still
in place. This is then slid into the cut end of the Pipe Match and secured
with cable ties.
Pipe Match
Consists
of a Black Match 'core' which is encased in a loose fitting paper tube or
'pipe'. The paper tube is often coated in a wax or plastic to make it damp
resistant. Pipe Match burns quickly at approximately 65 Ft/Sec and is used for
fusing together fireworks that need to start at the same time and also for
transferring fire from an igniter to PIC.
PIC (plastic igniter cord)
Consists of a slow burning compound surrounding a copper wire core encased in
a plastic outer sheath, it burns at a consistent speed and is completely
waterproof. (it wiil burn under water) Slow PIC is ideal for linking shells
and other fireworks together in timed sequences since an inch of cord
gives a delay of 0.8 seconds. It easily ignites Pipe Match and will take up
from an igniter with a small length of Pipe Match to ensure take-over. PIC is
available in three speeds, which are identified by their colour.
Pipe Match & Pipe Match
It is
relatively easy to get Pipe Match to ignite. To join a piece of Pipe Match
into the middle of another piece it is a simply matter of removing some of the
paper tube from where the joint is to be made in the originating piece to
expose the Black Match core. Some of the paper tube is then removed from the
joining piece and the two exposed bits of the Black Match are laid together.
The whole joint can then be secured with Gaffa tape.
Timed Sequence
A timed sequence is
usually made made up of shells or mines but the same technique can be used for
any fireworks. First twists are made in a length of PIC at measured distances
for the correct time interval. The compound core is exposed at the tip of each
twist. Each twist is simply inserted into the open end of the Pipe Match
leader and secured with web tape. A Gaffa tape 'tab' is then added over the
joint . (This tab is used to secure the joint to the rack. This stops shells
from 'lifting' their neighbour when they launch and reduces the chances of the
Pipe Match take-over 'blowing out' the PIC)
Igniters
To light a sequence
using an electric igniter is quite simple and reliable. First the PIC linking,
the sequence is joined to a short piece of Pipe Match. It is then simply a
matter of inserting the igniter into the open end of the Pipe Match and
securing it with a cable tie. The fire from the igniter is more than
sufficient to ignite the Pipe Match, which will almost instantaneously pass
the fire on to the exposed PIC. There is a short delay (<0.25 Sec) between
making the firing circuit and the first firework in the sequence igniting.
