Socapex

Socapex is a specialist electrical-connector brand associated primarily with professional entertainment lighting and the wider production industry. Its name is most closely identified with a 19-pin connector system used to terminate multicables that distribute power to stage, film, television, and event-lighting equipment. In many production environments, a single multicore cable fitted with Socapex connectors can carry several separate lighting circuits between a dimmer, distribution point, breakout assembly, or fixture location, reducing cable congestion and simplifying setup. The connector was first created in 1961 by a company called Socapex. The original design uses 19 contacts: six live or hot conductors, six neutral conductors, six earth or ground conductors, and a central alignment contact. This arrangement supports six power circuits while retaining an additional central feature that helps align the plug and receptacle during connection. Keying is used to help prevent incompatible connections, including connections involving the wrong voltage or the accidental use of audio-cable variants in power applications. Socapex connectors became established as a practical interface for theatrical and production power distribution. Their usefulness comes not only from the connector itself but also from the ecosystem of cables, breakouts, break-ins, panel-mounted receptacles, and compatible fixtures built around the format. A breakout typically converts one Socapex connection into six individual output tails. Depending on the market and application, those tails can terminate in connectors such as parallel-blade receptacles, stage-pin connectors, IEC 60309 16 A connectors, NEMA twist-lock connectors, BS 546 connectors, PowerCON connectors, or Schuko plugs. A break-in performs the reverse function, combining individual supply tails into a Socapex input so that a multicable can be fed from one or more power sources. The format is also used directly on some lighting fixtures and assemblies, including equipment containing multiple lamps. A panel-mounted Socapex receptacle can reduce the need for an external breakout, while an additional connector may allow fixtures to be linked onward from the same supply. This makes the system useful in touring productions and other environments where equipment must be installed, removed, and reconfigured repeatedly. The original company later became Amphenol Socapex, and Socapex remains a brand associated with that manufacturer. The name is also widely used in the entertainment-technology trade as a shorthand for the 19-pin power-connector format. In some contexts, the shortened form "Soca" is applied to similar connectors made by other suppliers, reflecting the brand's strong association with the product category and a degree of genericized usage. However, products sold under or associated with the Socapex name should be distinguished from third-party connectors that merely follow a similar mechanical or electrical format. Socapex is therefore best understood as a focused professional-technology brand rather than a broad consumer electrical brand. Its significance lies in standardization, field usability, and compatibility within production-power workflows. The brand serves a specialized international market comprising equipment manufacturers, rental companies, lighting technicians, touring crews, venues, and production-service providers. Publicly available reference material identifies the brand's origin, connector architecture, applications, and continuing manufacture by Amphenol Socapex, but does not provide reliable information about standalone revenues, corporate leadership, headquarters, or a separate consumer-facing website.

Socapex originated in 1961, when a company using the Socapex name created the 19-pin electrical connector that later became strongly associated with professional entertainment lighting. The connector was designed to support multicable power distribution: six live conductors, six neutral conductors, and six earth conductors are arranged within a 19-contact interface, with a central alignment contact helping the plug mate correctly with its receptacle. The system became useful in stage, film, television, and event production because it allowed several lighting circuits to be carried through one multicore cable rather than through numerous separate cables. This reduced physical clutter and made the installation and removal of lighting systems more manageable. The format also supported a range of accessory assemblies. Breakouts divide a Socapex feed into six individual output tails, while break-ins combine individual input tails into a Socapex connection. The termination used on those tails varies by region and application and can include stage-pin, parallel-blade, IEC, NEMA twist-lock, BS 546, PowerCON, and Schuko connectors. As production equipment developed, some multi-lamp fixtures and lighting assemblies incorporated panel-mounted Socapex connections directly. This allowed fixtures to receive several circuits without a separate breakout and, in some cases, to pass the supply onward to additional fixtures. Such applications reinforced the connector's role as part of a broader production-power infrastructure rather than as an isolated component. The original company subsequently became Amphenol Socapex. Amphenol Socapex continues to manufacture and sell the original Socapex product, while the Socapex name remains particularly familiar in entertainment-technology circles. Keying features are intended to help prevent incorrect mating, including connections involving incompatible voltages or the use of audio-cable configurations in power circuits. Over time, the name became closely associated with the connector format itself. The shortened expression "Soca" is sometimes used for similar third-party connectors, an example of the brand's influence on specialist trade vocabulary. That usage does not necessarily indicate that every product described informally as a Soca or Socapex connector is manufactured by Amphenol Socapex. The available reference material supports a history centered on connector development, adoption in professional lighting, and continued manufacture, but does not document detailed corporate ownership changes, named founders, leadership appointments, financial performance, or marketing campaigns.

• 1961

  Creation of the 19-pin connector

  [1]Socapexen.wikipedia.org

  A company called Socapex created the 19-pin electrical connector that later became widely associated with professional entertainment-lighting multicables.

• Transition to Amphenol Socapex

  [1]Socapexen.wikipedia.org

  The original Socapex company later became Amphenol Socapex, which continues to manufacture and sell the original connector associated with the brand.

• Adoption in professional production

  [1]Socapexen.wikipedia.org

  The connector format became established in stage, film, television, and event-lighting workflows for distributing six electrical circuits through multicable systems.

A specialist professional connector system for compact, organized, and keyed distribution of multiple electrical circuits in stage, film, television, and event-lighting environments.

• Electrical connector · 1961

  19-pin Socapex connector

  The core Socapex product is a 19-pin electrical connector used mainly with professional entertainment-lighting multicables. Six contacts carry live or hot conductors, six carry neutral conductors, and six carry earth or ground conductors. A central contact assists alignment. Keying helps reduce the risk of mating connectors intended for incompatible applications or voltages.

• Power-distribution cable

  Socapex multicable

  Socapex multicables use the connector format to carry several lighting-power circuits in one bundled cable. They are used between distribution equipment, dimmers, breakouts, fixtures, and other production-power points, helping crews reduce cable congestion and deploy multiple circuits efficiently in temporary or touring installations.

• Cable assembly

  Socapex breakout

  A breakout generally has a male Socapex connector connected to six individual output tails. The tails may use region-specific terminations such as parallel-blade receptacles, stage-pin connectors, IEC 60309 16 A, NEMA twist-lock, BS 546, PowerCON, or Schuko connectors, allowing a multicable to feed separate lighting fixtures or circuits.

• Cable assembly

  Socapex break-in

  A break-in is the reverse of a breakout. It combines multiple male supply tails into a female Socapex connection, allowing one multicable to receive power from individual outlets or distribution points that do not provide a direct Socapex output.

• Equipment-mounted connector

  Panel-mounted Socapex connector

  Panel-mounted versions are integrated into some multi-lamp fixtures and lighting assemblies. They can eliminate a separate breakout and may provide an additional connection for chaining compatible fixtures or assemblies from the same supply.

1. 1Socapexen.wikipedia.org