Abbr. "B/O". A cable assembly using a male multi-pin plug and multiple female cord connectors on different circuits. As Socapex-style is the most common multi-pin connector, break-outs are most commonly defined only by their female connectors, i.e., Stage Pin break-out, L6-20 break-out, Edison break-out.
Break-outs can be further sub-divided into three categories according to the lengths of the individual circuits.
An even break-out has all circuits the same length; one major shop has standardized on 11', allowing the break-out to serve up to 22 linear feet of fixtures without adding extensions/jumpers.
A staggered breakout has the circuits spaced on 1'-6" or 2'-0" centers.
A striplight break-out has 3 circuits at one length and the next three circuits 6'-0" longer.
When junior hard service (really the only practical type) cord is used for breakouts, the maximum length is defined in 2011 NEC 520.68(A)(2): "The longest cord in the breakout assembly does not exceed 6.0 m (20 ft)."
Staggered break-out circuits are generally numbered with circuit#1 being the shortest, and #6 being the longest. An even break-out can be used to simulate a staggered break-out, merely by coiling up the excess of each individual cable, and thus are thought to be more versatile. The male multi-pin, called the knuckle, is often placed in the center of the lighting fixtures it serves, to lessen the number of jumpers required. Additional jumpers mean more connections, and every connection adds a point of possible failure. Sometimes a "break-out box" or "plug box" will be used instead, but this then requires cables of varying lengths.
Stagepin break-out, even:
http://www.lexproducts.com/cs/entertainment_product?id=343
Audio folk call a similar device, for use with mic snakes, a fan-out, as it fans out on the stage as a place to plug in microphones. Often a "stage box" will be used instead of a fan-out.
See also Break-In.
Break-outs can be further sub-divided into three categories according to the lengths of the individual circuits.
An even break-out has all circuits the same length; one major shop has standardized on 11', allowing the break-out to serve up to 22 linear feet of fixtures without adding extensions/jumpers.
A staggered breakout has the circuits spaced on 1'-6" or 2'-0" centers.
A striplight break-out has 3 circuits at one length and the next three circuits 6'-0" longer.
When junior hard service (really the only practical type) cord is used for breakouts, the maximum length is defined in 2011 NEC 520.68(A)(2): "The longest cord in the breakout assembly does not exceed 6.0 m (20 ft)."
Staggered break-out circuits are generally numbered with circuit#1 being the shortest, and #6 being the longest. An even break-out can be used to simulate a staggered break-out, merely by coiling up the excess of each individual cable, and thus are thought to be more versatile. The male multi-pin, called the knuckle, is often placed in the center of the lighting fixtures it serves, to lessen the number of jumpers required. Additional jumpers mean more connections, and every connection adds a point of possible failure. Sometimes a "break-out box" or "plug box" will be used instead, but this then requires cables of varying lengths.
Stagepin break-out, even:
http://www.lexproducts.com/cs/entertainment_product?id=343
Audio folk call a similar device, for use with mic snakes, a fan-out, as it fans out on the stage as a place to plug in microphones. Often a "stage box" will be used instead of a fan-out.
See also Break-In.
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