51A
Signify Classified - Internal
7.2 DMX512 Connection
1. At last unit, the DMX cable has to be terminated with a terminator. Solder a 120-ohm 1/4W
resistor between pin 2(DMX-) and pin 3(DMX+) into a 3-pin XLR-plug and plug it in the
DMX-output of the last unit.
2. Connect the unit together in a “daisy chain” by XLR plug cable from the output of the unit to
the input of the next unit. The cable can only be used in series and cannot be connected in
parallel. DMX 512 is a very high-speed signal. Inadequate or damaged cables, soldered joints or
corroded connectors can easily distort the signal and shut down the system.
3. The DMX output and input connectors are pass-through to maintain the DMX circuit, when
one of the units’ power is disconnected.
4. Each lighting unit needs to have a DMX address to receive the data by the controller. The
address number is between 1-512.
5. The end of the DMX 512 system should be terminated to reduce signal errors.
6. 3 pin XLR connectors are more popular than 5 pins XLR.
3 pin XLR: Pin 1: GND, Pin 2: Negative signal (-), Pin 3: Positive signal (+)
5 pin XLR: Pin 1: GND, Pin 2: Negative signal (-), Pin 3: Positive signal (+), Pin4, Pin5 not used.
