Socapex Cable: What It Is, How It Works, and Why Stage Crews Rely on It
Introduction
Many people who have been backstage at a concert, theatre show or other large outdoor event have noticed the thick multi-pin wire which connects to the different lighting control equipment. The majority of them have used socapex-style cables because they work better for connecting the power source and the load devices (the lights). When it comes to connecting these types of devices with multiple circuits to one another, socapex-style cables do the job much faster and cleaner than the individual single circuits by providing less resistance to current flow in comparison to using multiple individual wires.
This guide breaks down what a socapex cable actually is, how it's used in real stage environments, and what matters when you're choosing or sourcing one.
What Is a Socapex Cable?
Socapex (or "soca" when on set) refers to a multi-circuit electrical supply cable used in professional stage lighting. It consists of a flexible outer jacket enclosing multiple power circuits and features a 19-pin circular connector at both ends.
Originally, the term SOCAPEX S.A. referred to a Swiss connector company that was actually responsible for developing the 19-pin style of the connector. As time passed, SOCAPEX began to be used as an industry-wide generic descriptor, similar to Velcro as a hook and loop fastener for multiple companies.
There are 6 circuits contained within a standard socapex cable, each consisting of a live, neutral, and earth conductor; therefore, there are 18 total conductors along with 1 pilot pin, resulting in 19 pin connections. Each circuit can supply power to one fixture of lighting, thus allowing one cable to replace 6 separate power circuits.
Why Stage Lighting Professionals Use Socapex
Fewer Cables, Faster Setup
Time is always in short supply when using a touring rig or festival stage. Instead of running six separate stage lighting cables to a truss that can hold six lighting fixtures, why not use one socapex cable to carry all six circuits at once? A single socapex cable will eliminate the need for multiple cables, reducing installation time and simplifying the setup.
When it comes to manufacturing stage cables, one of your top concerns should be the ease of use for your users. By providing a high-quality soca cable, it will allow the user to use less energy when using multiple socket outputs in conjunction with each other by being able to condense all of the power into one single cord for ease-of-routing, coiling, and storing until the next job.
Cleaner Power Distribution
With the current demands of your lighting system (especially when you are using moving lights and LED floods/conventional tungsten fixtures at the same time) Socapex cable is designed to support those loads through multiple circuits safely, without any interference. Each of the conductors within the cable(s) are insulated and shielded from each other, which prevents cross talk, voltage drop and heat build up issues that can arise from poorly manufactured cables or those that are not properly rated for use with their maximum load capacities.
Understanding the 19-Pin Connector
The socapex 19-pin connector has a circular structure and can only connect in one way. Therefore, connecting incorrectly to other systems on a crowded stage is prevented. The dimmer rack or power distribution unit will receive the male connection, while the female connection will connect to the "spider" (also referred to as a breakout box) that is located near the lighting fixture.
A pilot pin is designed (typically) to connect at the end of the connection sequence, and disconnect at the beginning of the disconnection sequence. When used as part of an electric control circuit, this pilot pin will actuate a safety relay that removes power from the contactor while plugging in or unplugging. Although not all systems utilize this feature, it is good to know about when reviewing technical specifications.
Connectors that fit tightly (without requiring an excessive amount of force) should release from the connector cleanly when disconnected. One of the leading causes of intermittent circuit failure on stage is due to loose connections on the 19-pin connector. In the beginning, many people assume that it is best to use individual power cables for every fixture; in smaller setups, that assumption is perfectly reasonable and correct! However, as your rig continues to grow in size, so does the number of cables you will need; when you have more than one cable, there are more opportunities for your cables to tangle, get mislabeled or improperly patched in!
A more organized method is provided with socapex systems: One trunk run through from the dimmer rack to the stage (eliminating multiple runs). - Power is separated to individual circuits using breakout boxes at the fixtures. - Labelling/testing is a lot easier, as each cable describes a discrete block of circuits.
For a touring show that sets up and tears down at various locations every day, this structure helps save time and minimize errors. What to Know about Typical Cabling Properties When you are purchasing socapex from a manufacture of stage cabling there are a few parameters you should focus on: - Conductor size – Most socapex uses 2.5 mm^2 or 12AWG conductor per circuit, which would allow for approximately 16 amps per circuit. This is suitable for most types of professional stage lighting applications.
Outer Jacket Material: The outer jacket of each cable should consist of soft PVC or rubber that maintains its flexibility in cold outdoor weather and withstands the effects of being dragged across tough stage floors. Stiffer jackets make it difficult to reel up and store cables properly. Diameter & Weight: Generally speaking, the thicker the cable, the more copper it is carrying, resulting in a heavier-weight cable. A standard-length (15m or ~50-fot) socapex (spec'd as 19x2.5mm²) cable weighs in at multiple kilograms, so while you can manage them, consider this when setting up your touring system.
Pin Quality of the Connectors: These should have full copper/brass pins with a high-quality plating. Thin walled pins will wear out quickly from repeated plug ins, which is a major issue in rental/touring environments. How Does the Socapex Connect to the Overall Stage Cable System The Socapex does not work independently, but rather it is one of several cables (including DMX cable to control lights, audio snake cables to transmit sound and speaker cables to amplify sound) that help make up the overall signal and provide power to the stage.
Manufacturers of DMX cables generally provide a type of cable that has an impedance of 110 ohms, which is the standard level for transmitting AES/EBU and DMX512 digital signals. The purpose of these cables is to communicate with your fixtures (i.e., control their intensity, changing their color, or moving the gobo), while Socapex cables supply the fixtures' power.
You may be handling various types of cabling on a big production like this: - Socapex Cabling that carries power from the dimmer racks, ie: large amounts of 120V. - DMX Cabling that carries out control data from the light console via DMX512 protocol. - Audio Snake Cabling that carries mic and line level signals from the stage to the Front of House (FOH) Mixing Position.
Each speaker and line cable has an individual function to perform; when these distinct functions are interchanged, or a lesser-quality or improperly-functioning cable is used, it often results in problems during the event that are difficult to track down when they occur.
What Questions To Ask When Sourcing Socapex If you are a rental company, tour manager, or a venue installing a permanent installation, you should ask the following questions before picking your supplier: What conductor size will they use? 2.5mm² is the standard for Socapex; anything smaller raises considerations about how much load it can handle. Are the connectors rated for repeated mating cycles? The connectors in the stage cabling are plugged and unplugged hundreds of times during their life. Low-quality connectors fail at a high rate.
What tests are performed prior to shipping? Tested for reliability and durability, lead time, accessibility, electrical testing, and quality assurance, by manufacturers have completed electrical/hydraulic tests prior to shipping. Are there custom lengths available? Common lengths are 5m, 10m, 15m and 20m but manufactured to suit your needs for special staging and/or rental installations.
CE and TUV markers show that a cable meets European safety standards — which should be the minimum requirements for doing business. Recommendations for proper socapex cable use Once you’ve got the right cables, you also have to treat them properly. Always coil socapex cables with the over/under coiling method. This prevents the cable from twisting during use, which creates a problem during subsequent situations where the cable needs to be laid flat on stage or fatigues more quickly at the jacket near the connector due to twisting.
Mark each end of a cable with matching identifiers so that you can quickly figure out which cables are connected to which ends. In the middle of a show, if you have to troubleshoot a cable that is not labeled, it can be very difficult. Examine all connectors after each show. Finding a bent or corroded pin during load-in is far better than finding a bent or corroded pin during a blackout cue.
When storing cables, use a reel or bag that will protect your cable from damage due to impact. The 19-pin connector is sturdy enough to withstand some amount of bouncing around but throwing a heavy cable assembly down to the ground from a truss height is not going to be good for the pins.
Conclusion
While socapex cable may not be particularly exciting, it is an important part of an effective system for the professional stage. This type of cabling allows for easy distribution of power across a stage; this enables you to quickly set up a large show and it provides a more organized method of power distribution than connecting multiple circuits directly to each light.
When determining cabling to use in an upcoming venue (new or returned), when building out your touring setup, or when updating and replacing old inventory; the type of socapex cable will have an impact on both how well the overall system works AND how long you spend trying to find problems with that system.
Choosing a trusted stage cable manufacturer who verifies conductor specifications and connector quality as well as adhering to proper testing protocols can distinguish you from others over time. One example is Tourycable, which has high-quality 19x2.5mm² flexible socapex cables rated for professional events/touring applications.
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