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Notice: Be sure to follow figures 2 and 3 when making your own cables. Do not use the ground lug
on the XLR connector. Do not connect the cable's shield conductor to the ground lug or allow the
shield conductor to come into contact with the XLR's outer casing. Ground the shield could cause a
short circuit, resulting in erratic behavior.
XLR Male Socket
1 Ground
Figure 3
Special Note: Line Termination. When longer runs of cable are used, you may need to use a ter-
minator on the last unit to avoid erratic behavior. A terminator is a 110-120 ohm 1/4 watt resistor
which is connected between pins 2 and 3 of the male XLR connector (DATA+ and DATA-). This unit is
inserted in the female XLR connector of the last unit in your daisy chain to terminate the line. Using a
cable terminator (ADJ part number Z-DMX/T) will decrease the possibilities of erratic behavior.
5-Pin XLR DMX Connectors. Some manufacturers use 5-pin DMX-512 data cables for DATA trans-
mission in place of 3-pin. 5-pin DMX fixtures may be implemented in a 3-pin DMX line by using a
cable adaptor. These adaptors are readily available at most electronics stores. The chart below de-
tails a proper cable conversion.
Conductor
Ground/Shield
Data Compliment (- signal)
Data True (+ signal)
Not Used
Not Used
DMX SET UP
COMMON
DMX +
1
3
3-PIN XLR
DMX -
2
XLR Female Socket
2 Cold
2 Cold
3 Hot
Termination reduces signal errors and
avoids signal transmission problems
1
and interference. It is always advisable
3
to connect a DMX terminal, (Resistance
2
120 Ohm 1/4 W) between PIN 2 (DMX-)
and PIN 3 (DMX +) of the last fixture.
3-Pin XLR to 5-Pin XLR Conversion
3-Pin XLR Female (Out)
1
DMX512 IN
3
3-PIN XLR
2
1 Ground
Pin 1 = Ground
Pin 2 = Data Compliment (negative)
3 Hot
Pin 3 = Data True (positive)
Pin 1
Pin 2
Pin 3
8
Termination
avoids
1
and
3
to connect
2
120
Figure 2
and
Figure 4
5-Pin XLR Male (In)
Pin 1
Pin 2
Pin 3
Pin 4 - Do Not Use
Pin 5 - Do Not Use
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