The Socapex SL419-style connector has been used extensively in the lighting and entertainment industries. Socapex SL419 has been the industry standard for many years, however, UK company Phase 3 is now offering fully-compatible versions in the form of the Showsafe Series which have a number of design improvements over the original Socapex.

Advantages of Showsafe Connectors

Showsafe series connectors have been developed to offer the highest levels of reliability and safety. The robust construction ensures continual and reliable operation. The rugged design has been tailored specifically for professional touring applications, and this has ensured that the Showsafe series is more than up to the challenge of life on the road. Even after being driven over, subjected to rough handling, these connectors provide continuous performance.

In addition, the Phase 3 connectors offer:

  • A superior insulating block.
  • Bodies which are machined from aluminium, not cast, providing extra strength.
  • Double insulation
  • Standard economical versions that are IP67 rated.

The connectors are sealed to IP 67 when mated, have a Black, hard anodised, non-conductive finish for scratch and wear resistance, and feature a heavy-duty, ribbed coupling nut to provide easy mating and un-mating. For ease-of-use, the connectors have six-circuit identification on the front and rear inserts. A recessed area in the back of the female insert is provided to accept a grounding ring. Seven forward contacts for 'first make, last break' grounding ensure safe mating and un-mating. An insulation sleeve within the connector backshell is standard.

The male/female connectors come in both in-line and panel mount plug/receptacle versions with either solder or crimp contacts available. The in-line versions are complete with a machined aluminium backshell and a compression grip cable seal or break-out strain-relief system. Contacts are gold plated over copper alloy and accommodate wire sizes from 12 to 14 AWG.

Phase 3 Showsafe Features in Detail

SPIDER CLAMP
The Showsafe pin Spider Clamp offers cable strain relief and watertight sealing when using 6 individual cables in breakout applications. The design incorporates a "Spider Trap" mechanical grip mechanism which individually grips each cable jacket. The trap can be quickly and easily orientated to facilitate different cable diameters. A separate silicone sealing grommet ensures a watertight assembly.

GRUB SCREWS
Backshells are supplied with left-hand threads which, when torqued correctly during assembly, remain secure. However, for added security, the shells also include two grub screws which can be tightened to lock the shell thread and further prevent loosening of the shells. If screws are removed or lost the assembly remains watertight and secure.

THICK-WALLED COUPLING NUTS
For maximum impact and wear resistance, the coupling rings have thick wall sections and are machined from high-grade alloys with a hard-anodised finish. The ergonomic hand grip allows for easy coupling and un-coupling in all conditions. Various colours are available on request.

INSERT MARKING
Inserts are marked with industry standard 6 circuit wiring, identifying Earth, Neutral and Live pin positions.

CONTACTS
Contacts are screw-machined copper-alloy, with a gold-plated finish. The multipoint contact design ensures low contact resistance and optimal current carrying capacity.

COUPLING RINGS
Blue is the standard finish. Colour-anodised coupling rings can be used to quickly identify cable types, or to enhance/customise the connectors. Company logos and names can also be added to the connector bodies.

CABLE ASSEMBLIES
Connector-Tech ALS can also provide Socapex-compatible cable assemblies which are specifically designed for professional stage lighting applications and will withstand years of use without the cable deteriorating and becoming permanently kinked or coiled. Assemblies are available in lengths from 5m to 30m in 5m increments with durable 18 core x 2.5mm2 ultra-flexible cable.

Phase 3 Showsafe Catalogue (0.8Mb)

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When ordering a connector it is not always as simple matter of determining between 'male' and 'female' because this can refer to both the housing gender and the contact gender. Many manufacturers offer a given housing gender with both pin and socket. A common example of such confusion occurs in the Deutsch Industrial DT range, where the plug (or male connector) actually contains socket (or female) contacts. For this reason please specify both the contact and housing gender at the time of order.

The IP Rating of a connector or accessory relates to the degree of ingress protection provided by that component. The first digit of the code relates to the degree of protection against access to hazardous parts (conductors etc) and against solid foreign objects. The second digit refers to the degree of protection against the ingress of water. For two examples of this system, consider the most commonly seen IP ratings in our products: IP44 and IP67. IP44 4: Protection from solid objects ≤1mm | 4: Protection against splashing water IP67 6: Protection from dust-sized objects | 7: Protection against immersion in water at depth of 1m for 30mins A complete guide to all IP Ratings is available here.

These terms are used by Phase 3 and ITT Veam on their high-current connectors.The source is considered the half of the connection from which the power is sourced; or the half supplying the electrical power. In an emergency power application, the generator is the source and would be fitted with Panel Source (panel-mount) connectors, a Panel Source Powersafe Box, or Line Source (inline) connectors on pigtails. The drain is the half of the connection which drains the power from the source. In the same emergency power application described above, the network receiving the emergency power supply is the drain and would be fitted with Line Drain connectors, Panel Drain connectors or a Panel Drain Powersafe Box.

We commonly deal with both American Wire Gauge (AWG) and square millimetre (mm2) dimensions as the units used by manufacturers can vary. To convert between measurements please refer this conversion chart.