Which cable should I use for a power distributor?

For professional power distributors in event technology, use H07RN-F rubber cable with appropriate cross-section for the load. For 16A CEE distributors, 5×1.5 mm² (five-core: three phases, neutral, earth) is the minimum, though 5×2.5 mm² offers better safety margins and lower voltage drop. For 32A distributors, use 5×4.0 mm² or larger. Rubber-sheathed H07RN-F cable is oil-resistant, flexible and suitable for outdoor use, making it ideal for mobile event applications. Brands like Titanex offer enhanced durability for demanding touring environments.

What is the difference between 16A and 32A CEE connectors?

CEE 16A and 32A connectors differ in size, current capacity and typical applications. A 16A CEE connector (red, 400 V three-phase) handles up to 11 kW continuous load, suitable for most stage lighting rigs and small to medium PA systems. The 32A variant supports up to 22 kW, used for larger productions, multiple distributed loads or high-power equipment like large moving lights and amplifier racks. Physically, 32A connectors are larger with thicker pins, and they require correspondingly larger cable cross-sections (typically 5×4.0 mm² vs. 5×1.5 mm² for 16A). The two types are not interchangeable — a 16A plug will not fit a 32A socket.

When do I need a DMX terminator?

A DMX terminator is required on any DMX512 lighting control network longer than approximately 50 metres or with more than 20 fixtures in the daisy chain. The terminator — a 120-ohm resistor connected between DMX pins 2 and 3 (Data+ and Data–) — is installed at the last fixture in the chain. It absorbs signal reflections that would otherwise bounce back along the cable, causing data corruption, flickering or erratic fixture behaviour. Without proper termination, long cable runs or large fixture counts often result in unreliable operation, especially with fast-moving effects or strobing. Professional DMX terminators are available as XLR plug-in modules, or you can solder a 120-ohm resistor into a spare XLR connector.

What types of plug connections are used in event technology?

Professional event technology uses several standardised connector types. CEE connectors (IEC 60309) in 16A, 32A and 63A variants handle three-phase power distribution, with colour coding (blue for 230 V, red for 400 V) preventing mis-connection. Schuko (Schutzkontakt) plugs and sockets are standard for 230 V single-phase equipment. XLR connectors in 3-pin and 5-pin versions carry DMX lighting control and analogue audio signals. powerCON connectors (by Neutrik) provide a locking mains connection for powered loudspeakers and lighting fixtures, safer and more reliable than IEC C13/C14. Speakon connectors (also Neutrik) are the professional standard for speaker cables, offering secure locking and high current capacity. Each connector type is optimised for its specific application, ensuring safety and reliability in demanding production environments.

How do I calculate the load for a power distributor?

To calculate the load for a power distributor, sum the power consumption (in watts) of all connected equipment, then divide by the supply voltage to obtain current in amperes. For single-phase 230 V loads, use the formula: Current (A) = Power (W) ÷ 230. For three-phase 400 V loads, the calculation is: Current (A) = Power (W) ÷ (√3 × 400) ÷ efficiency factor. Always add a 20–30% safety margin to account for inrush currents, power factor and future expansion. Ensure loads are balanced across all three phases (L1, L2, L3) to prevent neutral overload. Check that the total current does not exceed the distributor's input rating (e.g. 16A for a CEE 16A input) and that individual outlet circuits remain within their rated capacity.

Which DMX cable should I buy for stage lighting?

For professional stage lighting, always use purpose-designed DMX512 cable with 110-ohm impedance and twisted-pair construction. Look for cables with robust shielding (foil plus braid, minimum 90% coverage) to prevent interference from nearby power cables. Brands like Sommer Cable, Cordial and Helukabel offer high-quality DMX cables with flexible, durable jackets suitable for touring. Choose 3-pin XLR for standard applications or 5-pin XLR for future compatibility and enhanced grounding. Avoid using standard microphone cables for DMX — they lack the correct impedance and shielding, leading to signal errors and unreliable operation. For permanent installations, specify UV-resistant or flame-retardant jackets as required by the environment.

What does IP44 protection mean for power distributors?

IP44 (Ingress Protection rating 44) indicates that a power distributor is protected against solid objects larger than 1 mm (e.g. wires, small tools) and against water splashes from any direction. The first digit (4) denotes protection against solid particles; the second digit (4) denotes protection against water. IP44 is the minimum standard for outdoor event equipment, ensuring safe operation in rain, damp conditions and dusty environments like festival sites or construction areas. However, IP44 does not mean the equipment is waterproof — it should not be submerged or exposed to high-pressure water jets. For harsher conditions, look for IP54 (dust-protected) or IP67 (dust-tight and waterproof) distributors.

How long can a DMX cable run be before signal quality degrades?

A properly terminated DMX512 cable run can reliably extend up to 300–400 metres before signal degradation becomes problematic, though the official DMX512 specification recommends a maximum of 250 metres. Beyond this distance, signal attenuation, capacitance and electromagnetic interference increase the risk of data errors, resulting in flickering, colour shifts or fixture dropouts. For longer runs, use a DMX splitter or booster to regenerate the signal — these devices receive the incoming DMX data, clean it up and retransmit it at full strength, effectively resetting the distance limit. Optical DMX systems extend this further, converting electrical signals to light and transmitting over fibre-optic cable for distances exceeding several kilometres with zero signal loss or interference.

Cables, Connectors & Power Distributors

PCE CEE 16A 400V 5p Sockel weiblich - Rot, IP44

PCE CEE 16 A/400 V 5-pin Socket female Red

: Rated Current (A): 16 A • Flashover Voltage: 400 V • Pins: 5 • Minimum Wire Size: 1 mm² • Maximum Wire Size: 2.5 mm² • Length (mm): 76 mm • Height (mm): 70...

€6.95 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

DAP-Audio IEC C13 Female to IEC C14 Male 3x 1.5 mm² 1.5 m

: Rated Current (A): 16 A • Connector 1: IEC C14 male • Connector 2: IEC C13 female • Cable Length: 1.5 m • Pins: 3 • Wire Connection: 1.5 mm² • Wire Size: 1.5...

€9.35 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

PSSO Extension 3x2.5 15m 3-fold bk

Made in Germany • Package contents 1 x power cord • Cable construction: 3 x 2,5 mm² H07RN-F • Cable length: 15 m • Plug A: 1 x safety plug (M) • Plug B: 3 x safety...

€89.90 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

PSSO PowerCon TRUE Power Cable 3x1.5 5m

Built with NEUTRIK connector • Made in Europe • Package contents 1 x power cord • Cable construction: 3 x 1,5 mm² H07RN-F • Cable length: 5 m • Plug A: 1 x PowerCON...

€37.90 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

DAP XGA11 - Klinke/M mono > Mini Klinke/F Inll. 2 x 10 kilo-Ohm

DAP-Audio XGA11 - Jack/M mono to mini-jack/F - incl. 2x 10 kilo-Ohm resistors

You don’t want to busy yourself with details? Things of minor importance like adapters? DAP developed a new series of high quality Audio adapters so that you don’t have to pay attention...

Express delivery possible

€3.85 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Express delivery possible

Availability:

Delivery time: 1-3 days

Delivery time: 1-3 days

Neutrik NC 3 FRX XLR Winkelstecker female

Neutrik NC 3 FRX XLR angled Plug female

3 pole right angle female cable connector, nickel housing, silver contacts The RX Series is the right angle version of the XX cable connector series. The successor of the RC series offers several...

€9.63 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

EUROLITE P-Con Power Cable 3x1 1,2m

Package contents 1 x power cord • Cable construction: 3 x 1 mm² • Cable length: 1,2 m • Plug A: 1 x P-Con (blue) • Plug B: 1 x safety plug (M) • Weight: 0,17 kg •

€9.90 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

OMNITRONIC Adapter RCA(F)/Jack(M)

Shipping weight: 0.07 kg • •

€11.50 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

OMNITRONIC Kaltgeräte Netzkabel 3x1,0 0,6m sw

OMNITRONIC IEC Power Cable 3x1,0 0.6m bk

Package contents 1 x power cord • Cable construction: 3 x 1,0 mm² power cable • Cable length: 0,6 m • Plug A: 1 x safety plug (M) • Plug B: 1 x IEC (F) • Color: Black...

Express delivery possible

€3.90 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Express delivery possible

Availability:

Low stock; Delivery time: 1-3 days

Delivery time: 1-3 days

DAP XGA14 - Mini Klinke/M mono > 2 x Mini Klinke/F

DAP-Audio XGA14 - mini-jack/M mono to 2x mini-jack/F

You don’t want to busy yourself with details? Things of minor importance like adapters? DAP developed a new series of high quality Audio adapters so that you don’t have to pay attention...

€4.25 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

PCE CEE 32A 400V 5p Stecker männlich - Schwarz, Turbo Twist, IP44

PCE CEE 32A 400V 5p Plug Male - Black, Turbo Twist, IP44

: Outlet standard: Events • Housing Material: PA6 • Poles description: 3P + N + E • Ground Lug position: 6h • Network type: 400VAC • Wire connection: 2,5-6mm2 screwless...

Express delivery possible

€9.95 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Express delivery possible

Availability:

Delivery time: 1-3 days

Delivery time: 1-3 days

DAP-Audio FP06 - Schuko/XLR M - powerCON/XLR F - DMX / Power 15 m

Neutrik powerCON • Blue power/DMX cable with male and female 3P XLR connector, male schuko connector and Neutrik powerCON. : Rated Current (A): 16 A • Flashover Voltage: 30 V...

€59.33 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

DAP XGA20 - Klinke/M stereo > 2 x Klinke/F

DAP-Audio XGA20 - Jack/M stereo to 2x Jack/F

You don’t want to busy yourself with details? Things of minor importance like adapters? DAP developed a new series of high quality Audio adapters so that you don’t have to pay attention...

Express delivery possible

€6.65 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

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Availability:

Delivery time: 1-3 days

Delivery time: 1-3 days

PCE CEE 16A 400V 5p Stecker weiblich - Schwarz, IP44

PCE CEE 16 A/400 V 5-pin Plug female Black

: Rated Current (A): 16 A • Flashover Voltage: 400 V • Cable Entry: 8-16 mm • Pins: 5 • Minimum Wire Size: 1 mm² • Maximum Wire Size: 2.5 mm² • Length (mm):...

Express delivery possible

€7.69 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Express delivery possible

Availability:

Delivery time: 1-3 days

Delivery time: 1-3 days

Showtec Powercon / RJ45 Verlängerungskabel 10m

DAP-Audio powerCON/RJ45 - powerCON/RJ45 - Data / Power 10 m

Neutrik powerCON • powerCON data extension cables are the ideal solution for quick and easy connection of multiple Showtec LED light effects and strips or DMT LED screens. No more separate...

€70.24 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

DAP-Audio XGA06 - RCA/F to Jack/M mono

You don’t want to busy yourself with details? Things of minor importance like adapters? DAP developed a new series of high quality Audio adapters so that you don’t have to pay attention...

€3.10 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

PCE CEE 16A 400V 5p Stecker weiblich - Schwarz, Turbo Twist, IP44

PCE CEE 16A 400V 5p Plug Female - Black, Turbo |Twist, IP44

: Outlet standard: Events • Housing Material: PA6 • Poles description: 3P + N + E • Ground Lug position: 6h • Network type: 400VAC • Wire connection: 1-2,5mm2...

€10.90 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Ext. Cable Schucko/Schucko Titanex with PCE 10m 3 x 1.5mm

DAP-Audio Extension Cable Schuko/Schuko Titanex with PCE 3x 1.5 mm² 10 m

Extensioncable with Titanex 3x 1.5 mm² / AWG 14 H07 RN-F and PCE male and female Schuko connector. (not suited for BE and FR power sockets) Available lengths: 90555 Ext. Cable Schuko/Schuko 5...

€43.57 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

DAP-Audio FP05 - Schuko/XLR M - Schuko/XLR F - DMX / Power 10 m

Blue power/DMX cable with male and female 3P XLR connector, male and female schuko connector. : Rated Current (A): 16 A • Flashover Voltage: 30 V • Impedance: 110 Ω • Connector...

€60.50 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

MONACOR HA-37G Adapter

Adapter 6.3 mm stereo plug to 3.5 mm stereo jack, gold-plated : Description: adapter • Type: connector: 6.3 mm/3.5 mm • Quantity: 1 • Colour/colour coding: gold-plated...

€8.00 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

PCE CEE 32A 400V 5p Stecker weiblich - Schwarz, IP44

PCE CEE 32 A/400 V 5-pin Plug female Black

: Rated Current (A): 32 A • Flashover Voltage: 400 V • Cable Entry: 11.5-22 mm • Pins: 5 • Minimum Wire Size: 2.5 mm² • Maximum Wire Size: 6 mm² • Length...

€10.00 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

AC-XMXF/10 Microfon cable 10m

High quality microphone XLR cable. • Low wear sheathing • XLR connectors proven over years • Reliable electrical connections • Reliable strain relief • Good protection...

Express delivery possible

€9.87 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Express delivery possible

Availability:

Delivery time: 1-3 days

Delivery time: 1-3 days

PSSO Extension 3x1.5 3m bk

Extension cable for the entertainment industry Heavy rubber coating with rubber safety plug and connector • Not comparable with do-it-yourself providers • Made in Germany • Package...

€18.21 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

MONACOR AAC-500IEC Mains cable

Mains cable 3-pin IEC inline jack with IEC LOCK • Cable specification: H05VV-F3G x 1mm2 • Length: 5 m • : Intended use: mains voltage • Connectors: 1 x right-angle earthed plug,...

€19.00 *

incl. tax, plus shipping costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Cable Connectors