Understanding Socapex Cabling: 1.5 mm vs 2.5 mm - Which Do You Need?
Socapex multicore cabling is a backbone of modern stage power distribution. Whether you’re running a rig of LED pars or feeding a line of moving lights, choosing the correct cable size is essential for safety, performance, and compliance. The two most common conductor sizes you’ll see in 6-circuit Socapex cables are 1.5 mm² and 2.5 mm², and each is designed for different load requirements.
1.5 mm² Socapex - The 10 A Standard
A 1.5 mm² cable is rated for 10 A per circuit, making it ideal for:
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LED fixtures
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Small tungsten loads
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Low-power distributed lighting
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Short cable runs where voltage drop is minimal
If your fixtures draw only a few amps each, 1.5 mm² is perfectly adequate and is lighter, more flexible, and easier to handle on show sites.
2.5 mm² Socapex - The Heavy-Duty 16 A Option
A 2.5 mm² cable increases the rating to 16 A per circuit, and is the preferred choice when you’re powering:
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Moving lights
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High-output LEDs
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Dimmers
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Larger mixed rigs
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Long cable runs where voltage drop becomes a factor
The extra copper provides both increased current capacity and reduced voltage loss over distance.
How to Calculate Which Size You Need
When deciding between 1.5 mm² and 2.5 mm², use this simple process:
Step 1 - Add Up Your Load Per Circuit
Check the fixture wattage and convert it to amps:
Amps (A) = Watts (W) ÷ Voltage (V)
Example: 800 W mover on 230 V → 800 ÷ 230 ≈ 3.5 A
Step 2 - Compare Your Load to Cable Rating
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If your circuit load is below 10 A, 1.5 mm² is acceptable.
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If the load is between 10–16 A, you must use 2.5 mm².
Step 3 - Consider the Cable Length
Longer runs increase voltage drop. As a rule of thumb:
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Runs under 20–30 m → 1.5 mm² is usually fine for low loads.
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Runs over 30–40 m → Prefer 2.5 mm² to maintain voltage stability.
Step 4 - Think About Future Flexibility
If you expect your rig to grow or you want maximum compatibility on touring shows, 2.5 mm² cables give you more headroom.
Quick Comparison
| Cable Size | Max Load | Typical Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 mm² | 10 A per circuit | Small LED rigs, short runs, lightweight setups |
| 2.5 mm² | 16 A per circuit | Moving lights, dimmers, long runs, mixed high-power rigs |