Page 16 of 17 LED Followspot 75ST User Manual (Rev. 04)
DMX Cabling
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 diff erent 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 fr om 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:
shielded, 2-conductor twisted pair
Maximum capacitance between conductors:
30 pF/ft
Maximum capacitance between conductor and shield:
55 pF/ft
Maximum resistance:
20 ohms/1000 ft
Nominal impedance:
100~140 ohms
DMX Connectors
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. Ho wever, 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
Female Plug
Signal
3-Pin
5-Pin
5-Pin
3-Pin
Signal
Common
1
1
1
1
Common
Data -
2
2
2
2
Data -
Data +
3
3
3
3
Data +
Not used
4
4
Not used
Not used
5
5
Not used