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:
-
LED fixtures
-
Small tungsten loads
-
Low-power distributed lighting
-
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:
-
Moving lights
-
High-output LEDs
-
Dimmers
-
Larger mixed rigs
-
Long cable runs where voltage drop becomes a factor
The extra copper provides both increased current capacity and reduced voltage loss over distance.
2.5mm Socapex can also be used for running speakers!
How to Calculate Which Size You Need
When deciding between 1.5 mm² and 2.5 mm², use this simple process:
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
Compare Your Load to Cable Rating
-
If your circuit load is below 10 A, 1.5 mm² is acceptable.
-
If the load is between 10–16 A, you must use 2.5 mm².
Consider the Cable Length
Longer runs increase voltage drop. As a rule of thumb:
-
Runs under 20–30 m → 1.5 mm² is usually fine for low loads.
-
Runs over 30–40 m → Prefer 2.5 mm² to maintain voltage stability.
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.
Think About Your Team
Having multiple soca under 20m may be easier for your team to handle. They can easily be joined together.
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 |