Swarm
™ User Manual
8
4/23/2009 11:59 AM
Data Cabling
To link fixtures together you must obtain data cables. You can purchase CHAUVET-certified DMX
cables directly from a dealer/distributor or construct your own cable. If you choose to create your own
cable please use data-grade cables that can carry a high quality signal and are less prone to
electromagnetic interference.
DM X D AT A C ABL E
Use a Belden© 9841 or equivalent cable which meets the specifications for EIA RS-485 applications.
Standard microphone cables cannot transmit DMX data reliably over long distances. The cable must
have the following characteristics:
2-conductor twisted pair plus a shield
Maximum capacitance between conductors
– 30 pF/ft.
Maximum capacitance between conductor and shield
– 55 pF/ft.
Maximum resistance of 20 ohms / 1000 ft.
Nominal impedance 100
– 140 ohms
C ABL E CO NNE CT O RS
Cabling must have a male XLR connector on one end and a female XLR connector on the other end.
CAUTION
Do not allow contact between the common and the fixture’s chassis ground. Grounding the
common can cause a ground loop, and your fixture may perform erratically. Test cables with an
ohm meter to verify correct polarity and to make sure the pins are not grounded or shorted to
the shield or each other.
3- P I N T O 5 - P I N CO NV E RS I O N CHART
Note!
If you use a controller with a 5 pin DMX output connector, you will need to use a 5 pin to 3 pin
adapter. CHAUVET Model No: DMX5M, or DMX5F.
The chart below details a proper cable conversion:
3
P
IN TO
5
P
IN
C
ONVERSION
C
HART
Conductor
3 Pin Female (output)
5 Pin Male (Input)
Ground/Shield
Pin 1
Pin 1
Data ( - ) signal
Pin 2
Pin 2
Data ( + ) signal
Pin 3
Pin 3
Do not use
Pin 4
Do not use
Pin 5
COMMON
DMX +
DMX
-
INPUT
OUTPUT
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
3
2
Resistance 120
ohm 1/4w between
pin 2 (DMX -) and
pin 3 (DMX +) of
the last fixture.
Termination reduces signal errors. To
avoid signal transmission problems
and interference, it is always
advisable to connect a DMX signal
terminator.
DMX connector configuration
