Dmx Cabling; Dmx Connectors - Chauvet MotionDrape LED User Manual

DMX Cabling

DMX
Connectors
MotionDrape™ LED User Manual (Rev. 03)
The DMX protocol requires using special data cables to accommodate for the high
speed digital signals it uses. Despite their apparent similarities, data cables are
electrically different from standard microphone cables because they can carry high
frequency digital signals and have better protection against electromagnetic
interference. You can purchase CHAUVET® certified DMX cables directly from a
dealer/distributor or make your own DMX cable.
If you choose to make your own DMX cable, you must use a data-grade cable such as
the Belden 9841, which has the following electrical characteristics:
Type:
Maximum capacitance between conductors:
Maximum capacitance between conductor and shield:
Maximum resistance:
Nominal impedance:
Each DMX cable must have a male XLR connector on one end and a female XLR
connector on the other end. The DMX protocol indicates that the XLR connectors must
have five pins. However, most lighting products use the 3-pin XLR connector. The pin
assignment of the 3-pin and 5-pin XLR connectors in a DMX cable is as follows:
Male Plug
Signal 3-Pin
Common
1
Data -
2
Data +
3
Not used
Not used
You can use the above table to create a 3-pin/3-pin cable, a 5-pin/5-pin cable, or a 3-
pin to 5-pin adapter.
The DMX daisy chain uses a terminator to reduce signal transmission problems,
especially with long cables. The terminator consists of either a 3-pin or 5-pin XLR male
plug with a 120 Ω, ¼ W resistor connected to the wire side of pins 2 and 3, as shown
below.
The terminator plug connects to the DMX Out socket of the last DMX product in the
daisy chain.
Do not allow the common wire of the DMX cable to touch the product's chassis
ground. This could cause a ground loop, which may affect your products'
performance. Test all DMX cables with an ohmmeter to verify the correct polarity
of the wires, and to make sure that they are not touching the shield or each
other.
shielded, 2-conductor twisted pair
30 pF/ft
55 pF/ft
20 ohms/1000 ft
100~140 ohms
Female Plug
5-Pin 5-Pin
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
3-Pin Signal
Common
1
Data -
2
Data +
3
Not used
Not used
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