DMX Wiring
3 PIN 5 PIN
3 pin wiring is more common, 5 pin is the correct way. 3 pin may be used to save on cost. With 5 pin
connections, not all pins are used, though it is worth checking your manual for your fixture, as some lights use
the unused pins for low voltage control. 5 pin would be better so there is no confusion over mixer leads and
DMX leads in larger rigs. Sending a mixers 48v phantom power down a DMX cable could damage the DMX light.
If making cables always use suitable DMX cable and do not connect pin 1 GND to the outer casing of the
connector as you might do with audio cables, as this may cause erratic behaviour from your fixture.
Do not make “Y” leads to split cables to fixtures; always use the in and out sockets or a DMX splitter, as again
this may cause erratic behaviour from your fixture.
We recommend you to put a DMX terminator in any fixture which hasn’t got a DMX lead connected from the
output socket to another fixture; this again is to reduce unexpected behaviour. A DMX terminator is simply a
male XLR plug with 120 ohms, ¼ watt resistor soldered across pin 2 & 3.
3 PIN
5 PIN
PIN 1 GND
PIN 1 GND
PIN 2 -
PIN 2 -
PIN 3 +
PIN 3 +
PIN 4 Not Used
PIN 5 Not Used
