This page contains wiring diagrams for various cables used in the labs.
The UK standard for individual Dimmed Theatre/Stage circuits and equipment is a 3-pin 15A roundpin socket (conforming to BS546). This socket is not fused - since these circuits are fused at the Dimmer or protcetyed by an RCB. This contrasts the office/domestic 13A square pin plug and the industrial spur outlets fitted with a 16A CEEForm plug (sometimes known as a "commando plug").
In the UK, Socapex connectors are often used for multicore Mains Dimmed Theatre/Stage circuits is a Socapex socket. This socket is not fused - since these circuits are fused at the Dimmer or protcetyed by an RCB. In the remainder of Europe a Harting Connector is common. Both connectors provdie separate pins for live and neutral conductors for each circuit. The Socapex connector also provides separate Earth conductors for each circuit. Breakouts are used to connect the fixtures to the cable. The breakout consists of a male Socapex connector with six "tails" to single circuit connectors (typically 15A connectors in the UK).
This 8 way connector connects 4 circuits (L1-L4). There is one earth and two SHARED neutral/return circuits (N). The total loading must not exceed 12A with no more than 6A per circuit.
Part numbers PX0957/PX0552 (solder outlet), PX0551 (inlet cable plug), PX0959 (solder inlet plug)
This type of connector is widely used in the entertainment industry.
This is the socket wiring configuration we use:
| 1 (Centre) | Earth |
| 2 | L1 |
| 3 | L2 |
| 4 | L3 |
| 5 | L4 |
| 6 | N/C |
| 7 | N - Common with 8 |
| 8 | N - Common with 7 |
Breakouts are used to connect the fixtures to the cable. The Neutral and Earth are common to all four live circuits carried by the cable.
This type of connector is notorious for being used with two common wiring configurations (another common configuration uses pins 2 and 3 as neutral!). Be careful!
They can also be rather tricky to apply to cable ends, because they often have a very compact housing.
Some older uses of this cable used the same sex of connector at both ends - leaving an exposed mains contact when not connected, this configuration is strongly discouraged. My advice is do not use other people's cables before you have thoroughly checked both ends of the cable!
A Rough Guide to cable ratings (singel phase) - Check specific cable/local regulations
| Cable Type | mm2 | Rating Free Air | Comments |
| Flexible Cord (BS 6500) | 0.75 | 6A | Voltage Drop ~62mV/A/m |
| Flexible Cord (BS 6500) | 1.5 | 16A | Voltage Drop ~32mV/A/m |
| Flexible Cord (BS 6500) | 2.5 | 25A | Voltage Drop ~20mV/A/m |
| Flexible Cord (BS 6500) | 4 | 32 | Voltage Drop ~20mV/A/m |
| PVC Solid Flat Cable | 2.5 | 27A | 17A covered by 100mm insulation ( ~13A within insulated stud wall) |
| PVC Solid Flat Cable | 4 | 37A | 27A covered by 100mm insulation ( ~22A within insulated stud wall) |
This connector is used in the teaching lab to connect equipment to DMX Receivers.
It uses a 9-pin D Connector at TTL levels with 8 outputs, and a common ground.
|
Dimmer 1 |
Brown |
+1 |
|
Dimmer 2 |
Red |
+2 |
|
Dimmer 3 |
Orange |
+3 |
|
Dimmer 4 |
Yellow |
+4 |
|
Output 5
|
Green |
+5 |
|
Output 6 |
Blue |
+6 |
|
Output 7 |
Purple |
+7 |
|
Output 8 |
Black |
+8 |
Connector pin 9 is a common signal ground.
Prof. Gorry Fairhurst, School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Scotland. (2013)