FiberLamp
Installation Recommendations
Page 11 of 19
Copyright 2015
5870081 A1
5
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DMX Operation
DMX Overview
DMX is an abbreviation for “digital multiplex”. It is an RS-485 based protocol that has become the
industry standard for digital lighting control interfaces. DMX allows users to synchronize lighting
effects between fixtures with a centralized lighting controller.
DMX Hardware
The FL5200 is equipped with two RJ45 female connectors, an XLR5 female connector and an
XLR5 male connector. These connectors are provided such that they can be placed in a DMX
daisy chain with DMX input and output ports. If at the end of a daisy chain, a 120-Ohm
termination resistor should be applied to the DMX output port of the FL5200.
XLR CABLE
In entertainment lighting, XLR cable is the standard for daisy chaining because its robust
construction is better suited for modular and temporary installations. This cabling can be coupled
with XLR5 connectors, which have also become standardized by the entertainment lighting
industry. The female XLR5 connector is typically used to accept a DMX data signal and the male
XLR5 connector passes a DMX signal. The male XLR5 connector is used as the DMX output
port whether in series with a daisy chain while acting in DMX slave mode, or acting in DMX
master mode.
CAT-5E CABLE
Most architectural installations use Cat-5e cable to transmit DMX data to fixtures. This cabling
can be coupled with RJ45 connectors to be compatible with the one of the RJ45 connectors on
the FL5200. In order to daisy chain, a second Cat-5e cable with RJ45 connector can be
connected to the second RJ45 connector on the FL5200.
PINOUTS
Table 3:
Pinout assignments for RJ45 and XLR5 connectors on the FL5200
Function
XLR5
RJ45
Color
Data (+) in
3
1
White/Orange
Data (-) in
2
2
Orange
Not Assigned
5
3
White/Green
Internal use only
-
4
Blue
Internal use only
-
5
White/Blue
Not assigned
4
6
Green
DMX Ground
1
7
White/Brown
DMX Ground
1
8
Brown
