{"id":57,"date":"2019-09-30T20:36:00","date_gmt":"2019-10-01T03:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/engl301mjb\/?p=57"},"modified":"2019-12-19T23:09:23","modified_gmt":"2019-12-20T06:09:23","slug":"revised-expanded-definition-of-socapex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/engl301mjb\/2019\/09\/30\/revised-expanded-definition-of-socapex\/","title":{"rendered":"Revised Expanded Definition of Socapex"},"content":{"rendered":"

DEFINING SOCAPEX<\/u><\/p>\n

Parenthetical Definition<\/u><\/p>\n

Synonyms: Soca<\/em>, 19-pin<\/em>, multiconductor cable<\/em>, a large power connecting cable ranging from 25 to 500 feet.<\/p>\n

Sentence Definition<\/u><\/p>\n

Socapex, or Soca<\/em>, is a large multiconductor power cable with 19-conductive prongs; it is often used in film, television, and stage lighting to connect lighting fixtures on stage to power distribution equipment off stage.<\/p>\n

Expanded Definition<\/u><\/p>\n

What is Socapex?<\/em><\/p>\n

Socapex, also known as Soca<\/em>, 19-pin <\/em>and Multiconductor cable <\/em>for its characteristic multi-prong connection design, is a large, multicore power cable containing 6 individual 20 A (Amp) circuits (Box 353; Cadena 67). The 19 pins on the male end of the cable are the conductive pieces that connect with the 19 holes on the female end.<\/p>\n

The foundations of Socapex\u2019s design is like a household extension cable with 3 prongs: consisting of 1 neutral, 1 live and 1 ground on the male end, that connects to the female end (see Fig 1<\/em>). Socapex differs with its 19-pin design consisting of 6 neutral, 6 live, and 6 ground pins, with its 19th<\/sup> pin, used purely to aid alignment when connecting \u201cthe male end of the connector with a female receptacle\u201d (see fig 2<\/em> for alignment and pin formation) (P3connectors.com).<\/p>\n

Figure 1 <\/em>Close up on the male and female ends of a household extension cable from:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Figure 2<\/em> Close up of 19 pin configurations on the tail ends<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>\"Fig<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Where is it Used?<\/em><\/p>\n

This heavy-duty cable is often used in film, television, and stage lighting to connect lighting fixtures on a stage rig<\/strong>, a truss section with fixtures connected to power and data, to the power distribution centre<\/strong> off stage (see fig 3 <\/em>and 4 <\/em>for examples of a stage rig and power distro). There are two ratings this cable falls under #12 AWG (American Wire Gauge) for 20 A per circuit or #14 AWG for 15 A per circuit, which fulfills power demands for a variety of fixture types (Box 356).<\/p>\n

Figure 3<\/em> Portable power distribution centre with 8 Socapex power outlets.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Figure 4 <\/em>Stage Rig Diagram displaying hung lighting fixtures connected by a breakout cable to the Socapex cable from the power distro.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>How Do You Use it? <\/em><\/p>\n

To properly distribute power from Soca,<\/em> you use a breakout splay. This attachment simply divides the 6 circuits carried within the cable into 6 individual outlets; that is why they often \u201cbreakout\u201d into conventional household outlets, know as AC or Edison (see fig 6<\/em>) (Cadena 68).<\/p>\n

Figure 5<\/em> True1 power connection breakout splay<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Figure 6<\/em> Edison connection breakout splay<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

These 6 circuit breakouts can be adapted to a variety of connections such as Edison, a standard AC outlet (see fig 6<\/em>); PowerCON, a twist-lock connection, and universal plug; True1 (see fig 5<\/em>), the newest standard plug that offers voltages from 120 to 208 volts (Monk).<\/p>\n

Example 1:<\/strong> Setting up 3 moving lightings on an 8ft piece of truss (based on fig 4).<\/em><\/p>\n

An Elation 5 R requires 2.9 A at a standard 120 Volt service (see fig 7<\/em>).<\/p>\n

Figure 7<\/em> Elation 5 R Beam Fixture<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

There are 3 on one truss requiring 50ft of Socapex cable to reach the truss at height, 30ft on stage while also reaching the power distro below the stage, another 20ft.<\/p>\n

To break out the 6 circuits of Socapex to service the 3 fixtures, you will use circuit 1, 2 and 3 to power each fixture with a standard 6 circuit, female end, Edison splay (see fig 6<\/em>).<\/p>\n

This fixture will use PowerCON adapters to connect the fixture to the Edison circuit provided by the Socapex breakout (see fig 8<\/em>). These adapters work the same way as an extension cable just with the required ends: PowerCON to the fixture and Edison to the breakout splay.<\/p>\n

Figure 8<\/em> PowerCON to Edison cable<\/p>\n

\"\"
\n<\/em>In this case, 3\/6 circuits will be used leaving 3 circuits, 4-6, available to be used by other fixtures, if added to the rig.<\/p>\n

Precautions to Take?<\/em><\/p>\n

A principle to follow when balancing power across Soca<\/em> circuits is the 80\/20 rule. This principle asks you to never put more than 80% of the total available amps on one circuit. For example, a 20 A circuit should never have more than 16 A on it at a time, leaving 4 A to allow room for the heat energy produced not to affect the conductivity of the cable. This practice is called de-rating current-carrying conductors based on the number of current-carrying conductors in contact with each other (Cadena 67).<\/p>\n

Example 2:<\/strong> Calculating the load on a circuit (continuation from example 1 based on fig 4).<\/em><\/p>\n

An Elation 5 R Beam lighting fixture draws 2.9 A to power all functions (\u201cElation Platinum Beam 5R\u201d).<\/p>\n

The breakout circuit we are using is 20A.<\/p>\n

If we do not want to put more than 16A on the circuit, we can do simple math<\/p>\n

20A \u2013 2.9A = 17.1A available on this circuit.<\/p>\n

Therefore, we have plenty of room to string together multiple fixtures on one circuit.<\/p>\n

How many?<\/p>\n

16A \u00f7 2.9A = 5.5 therefore, we can put up to five 5R beam fixtures on one circuit, with a remaining 5.5A for current to fluctuate.<\/p>\n

It is important to remember to balance how you distribute power across the circuits, as it is rare to put all of one type of fixture on one circuit; we often pair lights with nearby low drawing fixtures to minimize Socapex runs, usually no more than 2 to a truss line.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/em><\/p>\n

Overall, this cable offers a variety of ways to bring power to fixtures on a stage, in a theatre, or on a remote site with no infrastructure at all. While the overview presented here is very basic compared to the field, its principles are the same: Socapex carries power from a power distribution centre to a breakout splay that divides the current into useable circuits to service a group of lighting fixtures.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Works Cited<\/p>\n

Box, Harry C.\u00a0Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook: Film Lighting Equipment, Practice, and Electrical Distribution<\/em>. Focal Press, 2010, www-taylorfrancis-com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca\/books\/9780080928081<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cadena, Richard. “Stage-Lighting Systems Overview.” Routledge, 2018; 2010;.<\/p>\n

Monk, Elliott. Personal Interview. September 23, 2019.<\/p>\n

P3connectors.com. (2019). Socapex Diagram for Wiring Circuits<\/em> | 19 Pin Circular Lighting Connector<\/em>. [online] Available at: https:\/\/p3connectors.com\/Socapex-19-pin-circuit-drawings-wiring-diagram\/ [Accessed 29 Sep. 2019].<\/p>\n

Figures<\/p>\n

Figure 1 \u201cExtension Cable.\u201d Alibaba<\/em>. Nema Common Use Usa Bulk Extension Cord – Buy Bulk Extension Cord, Common Use Usa Bulk Extension Cord, Nema Common Use Usa Bulk Extension Cord Product on Alibaba.com<\/em>. [online] Available at www.alibaba.com\/product-detail\/NEMA-common-use-USA-bulk<\/a>extension_60762528720.html?spm=a2700.7724857.normalList.2.678c6cd87UH6q&s=p. Accessed 29 Sep. 2019.<\/p>\n

Figure 2 \u201cSocapex 19 Pin 1.5mm2 Cable.\u201d Christie Lites<\/em>. www.christielites.com\/Socapex-19-pin-cable\/230w4w36w155w657<\/a>. Accessed September 30, 2019.<\/p>\n

Figure 3 Portable power distribution centre with 8 Socapex power outlets from: Cadena, Richard. “Stage-Lighting Systems Overview.\u201d p. 65, fig 3.13.<\/p>\n

Figure 4 Stage Rig Diagram displaying hung lighting fixtures connected by a breakout cable to the Socapex cable from the power distro. From: Cadena, Richard. “Stage-Lighting Systems Overview.” p. 51, fig 3.1.<\/p>\n

Figure 5 \u201cTrue1 14\/3 Break-in.\u201d Christie Lites<\/em>, www.christielites.com\/true1-splays\/228w2w17w148w1013<\/a>. Accessed September 23, 2019.<\/p>\n

Figure 6 \u201c5-15 12\/3 Edison Break Out.\u201d Christie Lites<\/em>, www.christielites.com\/5-15-12-3-edison-splays\/228w2w17w85w1017<\/a>. Accessed September 23, 2019.<\/p>\n

Figure 7 \u201cElation Platinum Beam 5R.\u201d Christie Lites<\/em>. www.christielites.com\/elation-platinum-beam-5r\/228w2w10w8w313<\/a>. Accessed September 29, 2019.<\/p>\n

Figure 8 \u201cStage Right by Monoprice 16 AWG NEMA 5-15p to PowerCON Connector 1.5FT.\u201d Monoprice<\/em>. https:\/\/www.monoprice.com\/product?p_id=14557<\/a>. Accessed September 29, 2019.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Link to Original<\/p>\n

What is Socapex?<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n