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17.3. Operation with DMX512
17.3.1. The DMX512 input
The DMX512 input complies with the DMX standard from 1990 respectively the standard which is
defined in DIN56930-2.
The device is equipped with a 5pin female XLR jack as an input and a 5pin male XLR jack as an
output to connect a DMX cable and to feed the signal to the next DMX device.
A connector with a termination resistor of 110 Ohm must be installed at the last device in the DMX
line.
Up to 32 DMX devices can be operated in a single DMX line. If this is not sufficient you need to use a
DMX splitter.
Please note that for DMX signals only shielded twisted-pair cables with lowest possible capacitance
and an impedance of 110 Ohm are allowed to be used. Only used cables that are specified according
to the DMX standard. E.g. normal microphone cables are in no case suitable for this purpose.
The pin assignment is as follows:
Pin1 = Shield, to be connected with the shielding of the cable, also ground for wireless DMX pens
Pin2 = Signal -
Pin3 =
Pin4 = unassigned but connected with the same pin on the other jack (to enable the feedthrough of
return signals) or +5VDC power supply for wireless DMX pens
Pin5 = unassigned but connected with the same pin on the other jack (to enable the feedthrough of
return signals)
A connection diagram is printed on the housing of the G-Flame.
If DMX has been selected as an input in the menu of the device you may optionally activate the power
supply for wireless DMX pens. This enables the autarkic operation also in the DMX mode which
means that the device is independent from any cables, power supplies and fuel pipes or hoses.
Please refer to the section 'The menu' which describes the operation in DMX mode in detail.
Attention: In general the DMX protocol is considered to be unsafe because no checksum is being
transmitted. Usually it is not allowed to control pyrotechnic effects or similar with DMX. The user solely
bears the risk of any potential damages caused by a malfunction. To improve safety we have
implemented the arming of the device by using a safety channel in the G-Flame.
Note: For the reason of safety the G-Flames should always be operated in an exclusive DMX
universe, that is only used for the flame effects and no other devices. On all unused DMX channels the
dimming value 0% (decimal 0) should be transmitted.
17.3.2. Control via DMX512
In order to generate a flame a dimmer value ranging from 60% to 80% must be transmitted on the
safety channel. This is equivalent to the decimal values from 153 to 204.
First the safety condition must be met before the flame channel can initiate the generation of a flame!
The safety condition is only correctly fulfilled if the dimmer value of the flame channel is below 6%
(below decimal 15) during the rising edge of the dimmer value of the safety channel.
