Chapter 2
17
DMX In and Thru Connections
DMX In and DMX Thru cables terminate to three-pin IDC or screw-terminal connectors.The
F-Drive R12 includes a DMX termination kit (ETC part number 4268K1004) provides both screw
terminal connectors for use with Belden 9729 cable and IDC connectors for use with Cat5 cable.
DMX is installed in a daisy-chain topology and includes one pair of wires (Data + and Data -)
plus an ISO ground (common). DMX cables must be acceptable for DMX data transmission, and
connections should follow the standard pinouts in the chart below.
Three-Pin DMX Terminal Blocks
DMX_TERM
DMX_TERM
DMX
IN
DMX
THRU
1
2
3
1
2
3
DMX
IN
DMX
THRU
DMX-512 Pinouts for Three-Pin Header
Pin Description
Typical Wire Color
1
Common (shield) clear/shield
2
Data -
black
3
Data +
red or white
DMX Cat5 Preparation and Termination
This instruction assumes use of Cat5 (or equivalent) cable for termination to the three-position
Cat5 insulation displacement connector (IDC) provided in the termination kit.
C
O
M
W
/B
R
N
D
a
t
a
-
O
R
G
D
a
t
a
+
(
W
/O
R
G
)
1. Follow normal Cat5 wire installation procedures to remove 5 cm (2 in) from
the end of the cable jacket.
2. Separate the White/Brown, Orange, and White/Orange conductors from the
cable. These conductors are required for DMX out.
3. Cut the remaining unused conductors from the cable flush to the cable jacket.
4. Label the cable with the data type and run designation (for example D1 for
DMX run 1).
5. Untwist 25 mm (1 in) of the White/Orange and Orange conductors, and then
insert the conductors through the labeled terminals as follows:
•
Common (White/Brown) to terminal 1
•
Data - (Orange) to terminal 2
•
Data + (White/Orange) to terminal 3
6. Fully depress each terminal, closing it onto the wire.
7. Use side-cutters to trim the excess wire from the connector.