11
PIXBAR 4
3.10 CONNECTION OF THE DMX LINE
DMX connection employs standard XLR connectors. Use shielded pair-twisted cables with 120Ω imped-
ance and low capacity.
The following diagram shows the connection mode:
DMX - OUTPUT
XLR socket
DMX - INPUT
XLR plug
Pin1 : GND - Shield
Pin2 : - Negative
Pin3 : + Positive
Pin4 : N/C
Pin5 : N/C
Fig.7
ATTENTION
The screened parts of the cable (sleeve) must never be connected to the system’s earth, as this would
cause faulty fixture and controller operation.
Over long runs can be necessary to insert a DMX level matching amplifier.
For those connections the use of balanced microphone cable is not recommended because it cannot
transmit control DMX data reliably.
•
Connect the controller DMX input to the DMX output of the first unit.
•
Connect the DMX output to the DMX input of the following unit. Connect again the output to the input
of the following unit until all the units are connected in chain.
•
When the signal cable has to run longer distance is recommended to insert a DMX termination on the
last unit.
3.11 CONSTRUCTION OF THE DMX TERMINATION
The termination avoids the risk of DMX 512 signals being reflected back along the cable when they reach-
es the end of the line: under certain conditions and with certain cable lengths, this could cause them to
cancel the original signals.
The termination is prepared by soldering a 120Ω 1/4 W resistor between pins 2 and 3 of the 5-pin male XLR
connector, as shown in figure.
Example:
3 pin XLR connector
Fig.8