Electric
Judging System Explained
The basis of the system lies in 3 wires which
connect the fencer to the electronic scoring
apparatus, usually called "the box". If you
look at the end of a body wire you will find
a 3 pin plug. The pins are positioned so that
the central one is closer to one end, ensuring
that the plug is always inserted correctly into
a socket. The pins can be designated A, B and
C, the word "and" indicating the wider gap.
The pins are connected to the 3 wires of the
system and the function of each wire can now
be detailed, starting with the central one -
wire B.
Wire B carries the live current from the box
to the tip of the weapon in the case of foil
and epee and to the blade in the case of sabre.
In foil and epee the wire is continued from
the inside guard socket (via the plug at the
other end of the body wire) along the groove
in the blade and is insulated from it.
Wire C is the common wire which in foil and
sabre carries the current back to the box, thus
completing a circuit. In both these weapons
the entire weapon forms the "C wire" so that
blade and guard are "live".
The electric foil works by breaking this B-C
circuit when the "bell push" switch in the tip
is broken. The box shows this with a light and
a sound signal. If the hit is off-target a white
light shows. If the hit is on the opposing lame
target, the current carried by wire B, instead
of returning to the box by wire C, returns through
the opposing wire A which is attached to the
lame by the crocodile clip. The box responds
with a coloured light.
A similar effect is achieved in sabre except
that the "bell push" effect is performed by
an electronic circuit within the box. For both
weapons hits on the guard and blade do not register
as the C wire circuit is common to both fencers
and so such hits do not break the B-C current.
In the same way a metal piste is connected to
the C circuit so that ground hits do not register.
Epee operates differently in that hits register
by making rather than breaking a circuit. In
this case the wires concerned are the A and
B wires which are both carried to the tip of
the weapon, insulated from it. This simpler
system is possible because there are no target
limitations and therefore no need for off-target
indication.
In epee the common wire C is used in the same
way as in the other two weapons so that hits
on the weapon (guard, blade, insulated handle)
and on a metal piste do not register. When such
a hit occurs the current from wire B returns
to the box via wire C in preference to wire
A which is arranged to have a higher resistance.
Information given on this
site is correct to the best of our knowledge
and presented in good faith. It is, however,
your responsibility to ensure any fencing activities
you are involved in are safe. Stormont Fencing
Club, or its members or servants, can accept
no liability for any injury, damage or loss
however caused based on information within this
web site.
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