7A
7. DMX512 Connections
The DMX512 is widely used in intelligent lighting control, with a maximum of 512 channels.
1. If you are using a controller with a 5 pin DMX output, you need to use a 5 to 3
pin adapter-cable.
2. Connect the fixture together in a “daisy chain” plug XLR cable from the output of
the fixture to the input of the next fixture. The cable cannot be branched or split
to a “Y” cable. 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. At the last fixture, the DMX cable has to be terminated with a terminator to
reduce signal errors. 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
fixture.
5. Each lighting fixture needs to have an address set to receive the data sent by
the controller. The address number is between 0-511 (usually 0 & 1 are equal to
1).
6. 3 pin XLR connectors are more popular than 5 pin XLR.
3 pin XLR: Pin1: GND, Pin2: Negative signal (-), Pin3: Positive signal (+)
5 pin XLR: Pin1: GND, Pin2: Negative signal (-), Pin3: Positive signal (+)
Pin4/5: Not Used.
