The P-Tap/D-Tap port popularized by Anton Bauer has the unfortunate design flaw of being too easily reversible. A slight curve on one side of the port is supposed to prevent this, but differences in build tolerances amongst manufacturers have led to many a piece of gear being fried by a D-Tap plugged in the wrong way. Some products were even designed to take reverse polarities, meaning that you have to purposely wire it the opposite way. 


The SafeTap's most basic feature is that it will not pass any current if the plug's polarity is incorrect​.​

You can only imagine the myriad problems that might occur if a DP tasked a less experienced AC with managing their camera build, or hasty set conditions that might cause a mistake to happen in the dark. Thousands of dollars in damage can occur to D-Tap powered monitors, follow focuses, and transmitters if the plug is reversed.

Lentequip took it upon themselves to design a solution. The SafeTap's most basic feature is that it will not pass any current if the plug's polarity is incorrect, but it also comes with several other features designed to protect the battery and your equipment, conveying its messages via LED. They are $80 a pop, but when the damage can cost thousands to repair, they may be a great investment for an owner-operator who only needs a handful.

No Film School's complete coverage of NAB 2016 is brought to you by My RØDE Reel, Shutterstock, and Blackmagic Design.

No Film School's complete coverage of NAB 2016 is brought to you by My R\u00d8DE Reel, Shutterstock, and Blackmagic Design.

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