Connections
Typically, Pathway Installation Repeaters
are wired in the following configuration:
•
DMX Input
is connected to the control
console DMX output
•
DMX Outputs
(ISO Out A,B,C,D,E, &
F) are connected to the remote DMX
devices or receptacles for the
equipment receiving the console
signal. These may be dimmers,
scrollers or moving lights, for example.
•
DMX Thru
passes the console signal
to additional DMX Repeaters or other
similar devices
,
and would in turn be
connected to DMX Input on the next
unit in line.
•
Power
. With the power off, make the
appropriate connections to Line, Neu-
tral and Ground.
2-piece screw terminal connectors are
provided. The pin arrangement of these
connectors is the same as that of 5 pin
XLR connectors.
Screw Terminal
Connections
Always disconnect power before re-
m oving the cover. Installation
Repeaters are designed to work on
voltages from 90-250 volts AC. They
will automatically sense the incoming
voltage and adjust accordingly.
CAUTION!
WARNING!
All DMX input/output ports must only
be connected to low-voltage data lines.
Do not connect high voltage sources to
these connectors.
Recommended Wiring
Practice
Keep all DMX cabling away from high
voltage/power cables to maintain data
integrity. Cable must be Belden 9842 (120
Ω
), 9829, 9729 (100
Ω),
ISO/IEC 11801
(
Cat5)
or equivalent
4802 Installation Repeater
6-way opto-isolated DMX splitter
Line voltage
input
DMX
Input
DMX
Thru
DMX
Output (6)
Test
LEDs
Output Test
Buttons (6)
DMX Terminate
Button
Input Test
Button
Data
LED
Power
LED
DMX Termination
Cable Test Feature
Pathway 4802 Installation Repeaters
provide installers with the unique ability to
test the integrity of the incoming and out-
going DMX signal and cabling. This fea-
ture makes troubleshooting most DMX
communication problems easy and can be
accomplished right at the repeater, without
any additional test gear. “TEST” pushbut-
tons are provided for the DMX input and
each of the six outputs.
The DMX signal runs on two separate
data lines: D- (XLR pin 2) and D+ (XLR pin
3). Both are referenced to signal common
(XLR pin 1). For DMX512 to work reliably,
the D- and D+ signals and common must
be present and properly connected at both
ends of the cable. Often, a system will
seem to work fine most of the time with
one of the three connections missing or
with two wires shorted – this simply shows
how fault tolerant DMX can be! But inter-
mittent problems will usually appear at
random, often at the worst possible time.
INPUT TROUBLESHOOTING
Normally when troubleshooting a com-
If only one Installation Repeater is used,
and nothing is connected to the DMX
THRU terminal block, the red termination
switch must be set to the ‘in’ position (ON)
to terminate the incoming DMX signal from
the console. If several Installation
Repeaters are connected together using
the DMX THRU connector on each unit,
only the last Installation Repeater in the
chain is terminated, all the others are not
terminated (switch in the ‘out’ position).
Cable Test Feature
cont.
munications problem it is common practice
to start with the DMX512 source (console
signal). The amber DATA indicators may
or may not be illuminated at this point. If
they are not, first make sure that the con-
sole is on and sending a DMX signal.
Then, depress the DMX INPUT test button
on the repeater; this will disconnect the
incoming signal from the receiver circuitry
and apply it to the red D- and green D+
LEDs. Both of them should illuminate (the
DATA indicators will go out). This shows
that the console’s DMX transmitter is ca-
pable of sending a strong enough signal to
drive the two test LEDs, and that all three
pins are connected. If the DATA indicators
are always off and both of the D- and D+
LEDs work with the TEST button de-
pressed, the Installation Repeater’s re-
ceiver may be defective (a spare trans-
ceiver chip is located on the main circuit
board, inside the unit). If either or both of
the D- and D+ LEDs stay off when the
TEST button is pushed, there is a problem
with the console’s output or the DMX ca-
ble.
NOTE:
the TEST LEDs can also detect
whether the D-/D+ wires are swapped.
With a DMX signal present, set all console
channel levels to zero and depress the
Input TEST button. The D- LED should be
brighter than D+. When all channels are
set to full, D+ should be the brightest.
OUTPUT TROUBLESHOOTING
Installation Repeater outputs should be
tested in stages to determine if a problem
exists in the repeater output circuitry or in
a cable or device connected to that re-
peater channel. First, ensure that the re-
peater is correctly receiving DMX512 data
Typical Application
HOUSE
DIMMERS
STAGE
DIMMERS
CONTROL CONSOLE
DMX
Repeater
DMX
Repeater
RELAY
CABINET
COLOR
SCROLLERS
MOVING
LIGHTS
MOVING
LIGHTS
THRU
IN
IN
