Rigging
Point Load vs UDL
01 — Definition
Two ways for a truss to carry weight. A uniformly distributed load (UDL) spreads the weight evenly along the span — the highest rating a truss can carry. A point load concentrates the weight at one spot and creates a bending moment that peaks at mid-span: a truss rated 500 kg UDL may accept only 150 to 250 kg as a single centre point load. And several point loads have to be summed against the truss load table for that span.
02 — In the field
Never read a truss UDL figure and hang a single heavy fixture at mid-span up to that number. Use the manufacturer load table for point loads at your exact span: the safe point load is a fraction of the UDL.