Stage pin 2P&G (20 A) pinout
Stage Pin (2P&G / Bates) Wiring
On a 20 A stage pin connector, ground is the center pin, sitting closer to the neutral pin than to the hot, and it is longer than the other two so ground makes first and breaks last. Hot is the outer pin farther from center; neutral is the outer pin nearer it.
| Pin | Signal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Center | Equipment groundGreen | Longer pin; engages first on connection. Offset toward the neutral side. |
| Outer (far from center) | Hot (line)Black | The energized conductor; the wider pin-to-pin gap identifies it. |
| Outer (near center) | NeutralWhite | Return conductor on the side the ground pin favors. |
What it’s used for
Stage pin is the theatrical power connector: dimmer circuits, house electrics, and the two-fers and jumpers of every hemp house and road house in North America run on 2P&G. 20 A is the everyday size; 60 A and 100 A versions carry feeder-class loads on the same geometry.
Its virtues are theatrical: flat profile lies under scenery, connectors pin together in-line without twist, and the all-black body disappears on a dark deck, which is also its famous vice at strike.
Wiring & termination notes
- The asymmetric spacing is the polarity key: ground sits closer to neutral, so hot is always the lonely pin with the bigger gap.
- Pins are solid split-sleeve brass; spreading the split with a pin splitter tool restores grip on loose connections. Do it de-energized.
- Stage pin bodies carry no strain relief theatrics: the internal clamp must bite the jacket, not the conductors.
- Two-fers multiply load onto one circuit; the circuit ampacity math lives on the event power calculator, not on hope.
Frequently asked questions
Which pin is ground on a stage pin connector?
The center pin, which is also longer than the outer two so it connects first and disconnects last. Hot is the outer pin farther from center, neutral the closer one.
Are stage pin and Edison interchangeable?
Electrically both carry 120 V circuits, and adapters between them are standard stock. The connectors themselves do not mate; theatres run stage pin largely for tradition, robustness, and dimmer-rack compatibility.