question about epees

[Thomas]

Hi I am new to fencing. How do epees make the scoring lights go up. Is there a wire connecting the sword to the machine? Or is it like a remote control?

*God I sound stupid.*

[downunder]

yeppers, the box has a "ground lead" leading to the spool.

the spool is a retracting cable that leads to the fencers, and moves with them.

The spool connects to a body wire that the fencer is wearing.

The A and B wires run up the blade into the tip, and by depressing the tip these two wires cross, causing the light to go on.

The C wire grounds the guard out, so that no hits are valid on the guard.

[MyraTrue]

*grins* don't worry about it. Nothing wrong with asking. (Oh, I remember the first time I had to use the electric system, so I can't make fun of ANYONE!) You are wired, as DU says.

Only in fencing do you have wires down your blade, a cord running up the sleeve of your jacket and out the back, which hooks you to a long cord on (what I think of as a ) vacuum cord recoil system, that then hooks into the box.

But you don't even notice the fact that you're all hooked up after a time or two. AND you get the fun lights!

[Thomas]

interesting, but if you connected to the machine wouldnt the wires get tangled around your foot or arm?

[prototoast]

Originally posted by Thomas
interesting, but if you connected to the machine wouldnt the wires get tangled around your foot or arm?

There is tension coming from the reel to remove excess slack in the cord, and it is clipped behind you so unless the reel breaks, it's very hard to get tangled in wires.

[Thomas]

oh. but that brings another question. does the tension affect your skills by pulling you back?

[downunder]

na you don't notice it after a while

[Thomas]

oh. thats good.