16
Alien LED Downlight user manual
• Long parallel runs of AC power and control data cables may cause interference on the data link
and must be avoided. Even if not required by law, separate conduits must be used for power
and data cables.
Connecting the data link
Warning! Before working on cables and connections, isolate the entire installation from
power and lock out power so that it cannot be reapplied.
Connect either one high-power or two standard Alien LED Downlight luminaires to each
transformer.
Connect a maximum of ten transformers directly or indirectly to any one driver unit. The
total current draw for both output sockets on a driver unit added together must not exceed
5 A.
Read “Planning the data link” on page 15 before starting work and refer to Figure 2 on
page 10 while connecting the data link.
To connect the data link:
1. Isolate the installation from power and ensure that power cannot be reapplied.
2. Run data cable with suitable connectors from the DMX output socket on the DMX controller to
the RJ-45 DMX input socket on the first driver unit on the link.
3. If there are more driver units in the installation, continue linking them in a single chain,
connecting DMX output to DMX input sockets.
4. On the last driver unit in each chain on the link, insert an RJ-45 DMX termination plug
(available from Martin, P/N 91613082) in the DMX output socket.
5. After making all connections, set up the fixtures as described under “System setup” on
page 18 before applying power.
Connection pinouts
XLR connection
Many DMX lighting controllers have XLR output connectors. To connect these to the RJ-45
connectors in the Alien LED Downlight system, use an XLR to RJ-45 adapter, (included with
driver unit). If you need to rewire XLR connectors, pin numbers are normally marked on
connectors. Connectors must be wired using the standard XLR DMX pin-out:
• Pin 1: Cable shield
• Pin 2: DMX Data 1 - (cold)
• Pin 3: DMX Data 1 + (hot)
Pins 4 and 5 on 5-pin XLR connectors are available for Data 2 connections in DMX 512-A or
similar systems. They must be wired as follows:
• Pin 4: DMX Data 2 - (cold)
• Pin 5: DMX Data 2 + (hot)
Important! To avoid ground/earth loop interference, ensure that the DMX cable shield
does not come into contact with the shell or body of XLR connectors.
RJ-45 connection
RJ-45 connectors are easiest to manage if CAT 5 cable is used for the data link. RJ-45 cable
connector pins are numbered from the left looking at the face of the connector with the locking
clip on top (see Figure 3). Connectors must be wired according to the 568-B system using the
standard RJ-45 pin-out for DMX applications:
• Pin 1 (White/orange): DMX data hot (+)
• Pin 2 (Orange): DMX data cold (-)