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DMX Primer
There are 512 channels in a DMX connection. Channels may be assigned in any manner. A
product capable of receiving DMX will require one or a number of sequential channels. The user
must assign a starting address on the product that indicates the first channel reserved in the
controller. There are many different types of DMX controllable products and they all may vary in the
total number of channels required. Choosing a start address should be planned in advance.
Channels should never overlap. If they do, this will result in erratic operation of the products whose
starting address is set incorrectly. You can however, control multiple products of the same type
using the same starting address as long as the intended result is that of unison movement or
operation. In other words, the products will be slaved together and all respond exactly the same.
DMX products are designed to receive data through a serial Daisy Chain. A Daisy Chain
connection is where the DATA OUT of one product connects to the DATA IN of the next product.
The order in which the products are connected is not important and has no effect on how a
controller communicates to each product. Use an order that provides for the easiest and most
direct cabling. Connect products using shielded two conductor twisted pair cable with three pin XLR
male to female connectors. The shield connection is pin 1, while pin 2 is Data Negative (S-) and pin
3 is Data positive (S+).
3-Pin to 5-Pin Conversion Chart
If you use a controller with a 5-pin DMX output connector, you will need to use a 5-pin to 3-pin
adapter. The chart below details a proper cable conversion:
Data ( + ) signal
Setting up a DMX Serial Data Link
1. Connect the (male) 3-pin connector side of the
DMX cable to the output (female) 3-pin
connector of the controller.
2. Connect the end of the cable coming from the
controller which will have a (female) 3-pin
connector to the input connector of the next
product consisting of a (male) 3-pin connector.
3. Then, proceed to connect from the output as
stated above to the input of the following
product and so on.
4. After the last product, connect a DMX
terminator.
Scorpion™ GBC User Manual
3-P
5-P
IN TO
Conductor
3-Pin Female (Output)
Ground/Shield
Data ( - ) signal
Not used
Not used
C
C
IN
ONVERSION
HART
5-Pin Male (Input)
Pin 1
Pin 1
Pin 2
Pin 2
Pin 3
Pin 3
Pin 4
Pin 5
Universal DMX Controller
Continue the link
21
This drawing
provides a general
illustration of the
DMX input/output
panel of a lighting
product.
August 2011
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