It depends on where you will put your DMX splitter eventually. The Cat5/6 will not need to run through the dimmer, but you may find that location to be a good place to distribute the DMX signal from. Just make sure that it is easily accessible should you need to repatch the lines. It would probably be cheaper to just run one line (or 2 or however many DMX universes you will use) to backstage and then distribute from there.
The CAT 5 vs CAT 6 argument gets very technical, and very esoteric, very quickly. If you are planning on running gigabit Ethernet to the bars, then CAT 6 is a good idea. If you think 100 Mb/s will transport your lighting control signals for the foreseeable future, CAT 5 or CAT 5e is fine.
WIth regard to termination, I would put an 8 pin RJ-45 jack on a faceplate on the bars (at each end). Then have a batch of RJ-45 to XLR-3 and XLR-5 (male and female) adapters made to plug in at each end of the bar (male at one end, female at the other). This future proofs your installation, allows easy installation of current technology and allows an upgrade to Ethernet by ditching the adapters.
Tim.
Make sure you use the etherCON for your RJ-45 jacks. This way, your adapters will lock in using a more robust format then the plastic clip. This will save you hassle of taping your adapters to the pipe, and will work longer term.
Neutrik - Data Connectors - etherCON Cable Connector Carriers - NE8MC
Note, this will not keep you from using a standard ethernet cable either, so if you needed to plug in a stand alone CAT6, or use the EtherCON cables.
I don't mean to offend anyone but some suppliers shouldn't be. I have dealt with some that I had to teach them how their equipment worked. This is an exception, there some great guys out there but some could just well be selling shoes.That answers what was going to be my next question which was - I assume something like this would be a good choice!
Audio Video Wholesalers
Thanks for all the help I'm getting. I wish I had found this site 3 months ago - the information and help I'm finding here exceeds that given by suppliers!
Paul
I don't mean to offend anyone but some suppliers shouldn't be. I have dealt with some that I had to teach them how their equipment worked. This is an exception, there some great guys out there but some could just well be selling shoes.
Hi Paul
Unless you are likely to be given a really big budget for the lighting in the next couple of years I wouldn't use ethernet connectors.
If you use ethernet sockets at the end of each DMX line you will have to buy adaptors.
You will be better off just using 5 Pin XLR sockets. Every time you have an adaptor it is something else to loose. And from experience in schools they will get lost.
The cupboard idea for dimmers might not work based on a standard cupboard design.
As well as the space you need for the dimmers you need to allow room for the 3 phase power. You should have at least 3 switched 3 phase outlets. Don't put the 3 phase outlets to close in a vertcal line or too close to horizontal shelf sticking out past them. This because some dimmer packs have right angle plugs as opposed to straight ones.
Plus the single phase power outlets.
Also you need space for the patch panel. Your one will need probably at least 33 plugs based on your lighting bar design. There are multiple designs for patch panels.
There are some prefabricated ones you can buy or custom build your own.
So instead of a cupboard I would make it more like an alcove, wider then it is deeper. Then put metal grill doors on it to allow for better ventilation.
I'll be interested to see what you do for final design.
Brent
Might I suggest a real rack instead of a makeshift one? In the grand scheme of things, a real metal rack designed for this purpose may work better and look more professional in the long run. Especially if you're going to have three phase in it, I would feel more comfortable having it all run in a professional and real case.
The dimmers we've been looking at are wall mount theatrelight comets.
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