Every production runs on temporary power, and the connectors on the end of the cable are what keep it safe and legal. Here is a field guide to the connector families you will meet on stage, what each is rated for, and how to specify them so nothing can be plugged into the wrong place.
Straight blade (NEMA 5-15 and 5-20)
The familiar Edison plug. 5-15 is 15 A at 125 V; 5-20 adds a horizontal neutral blade for 20 A circuits. Fine for small fixtures and practicals, but it unplugs easily, so avoid it on anything hung overhead or run across a stage. Hubbell industrial-grade devices with spring or screw terminals are built for daily use.
Twist-Lock (NEMA L-series)
Twist-Lock plugs rotate to lock, which is why they are the default for stage circuits. The NEMA number tells you the configuration: L5-20 and L5-30 are 125 V single-phase at 20 A and 30 A; L6-20 and L6-30 are 250 V; L14-30 is 125/250 V with a neutral; L21-20 and L21-30 are 3-phase 120/208 V with neutral and ground, used for LED and moving-light distro feeds. Flanged inlets and receptacles let you build panels and distros to match.
Stage pin (GPC)
The 20 A, 60 A and 100 A stage-pin connector remains the theatre standard for dimmed circuits and ETC Sensor dimmer outputs, because it is rugged, polarised and cannot be mistaken for a household plug. If your venue is stage pin, keep your adaptors labelled and your spares stocked.
Pin and sleeve (IEC 60309)
Pin-and-sleeve devices are the industrial, weather-resistant choice for 30, 60 and 100 A feeds to distros, hazers, chain-hoist controllers and LED walls. The housing colour codes the voltage range — yellow for 100–130 V, blue for 200–250 V, red for 380–480 V — and NEMA 4X/IP69K versions shrug off rain and washdown. Hubbell HBL and IEC series cover plugs, connectors, receptacles and inlets.
Single-pole Cam-type (300/400 A)
Feeder for generators and company switches runs through single-pole connectors (Cam-Lok style). Each conductor has its own colour-coded connector: green ground, white neutral, black, red and blue for the three phases. Hubbell single-pole male and female connectors, panel receptacles and stud receptacles, and Phase 3 Powersafe 455 A connectors, are UL-listed options; threaded and locking variants prevent accidental disconnection.
Multipin (Socapex-compatible)
19-pin multipin connectors carry six 20 A circuits in one cable from distro to truss. Phase 3 Showsafe 19-pin and 7-pin connectors are Socapex-compatible and UL-listed, with inline, panel and breakout formats.
Specifying connectors safely
- Match the configuration to voltage, amperage and phase — the keying exists so mis-mating is impossible.
- One connector type per voltage on your rig. Never adapt 208 V to a 120 V connector family.
- UL listing is expected by venues, insurers and inspectors under NEC Article 520 for places of assembly.
- Strain relief and cable grips protect terminations: Kellems grips for feeder and multicable, TrukTrak and TredTrak protectors for cable crossings.
- Spring terminals speed up shop assembly; bulk packs lower the cost.
Shop our full range of connectors, power cable, power distribution and cable protectors and grips. Need a distro built to your connector standard? See EPS Custom Power Distribution.
