Recent content by Chris Pflieger

SPI is unbalanced, so it's really good when everything is on the same circuit card in the same enclosure. DMX is far better when things are distributed. So if you're using this over distances, expect problems. I've never used SPI for anything that wasn't on the same power supply and wasn't more...

If you got the time and the soldering skills... oh, and you have to buy new connectors.Personally, I got the latter, not the former. I do volunteer work, so labor charges aren't really relevant, but if that comes into play, it's almost impossible to justify this effort just for OCD over adapters.

I guess I can see it both ways - if it's a big cabinet with a door... yeah, you might want RJ45 on the inside.But if it's a panel, screwed into a 4" square or something where the interior is unlike to be ever exposed, the IDC where you can punch down your STP wires would be my preference...

You can run a cat 5e to the moon and back - what you use it for is the limitation.You're talking about Ethernet, but the OP is talking about DMX-512.

Obviously, DMX512 is no where near CAT 5E spec, but you're right, barrel couplers are terribly unreliable. We use CAT5 for our proprietary network, and a lot of failures are from installers not heeding our warning and using couplers.

Oh, I must have that...

We have a CM that keeps their facility at something like 85% humidity. Makes your hair frizzy, but they don't have to worry about ESD at all.

Our production staff wears these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/OTVIAP-Anti-Static-Ankle-Heel-Strap-Adjustable-Foot-Grounder-Heel-Grounder-Blue-Black-Adjustable-Foot-Grounder-Anti-Static-Strap/657401630

Maybe an ankle static strap will help. Always touch a big metal surface, like the rack first before touching more delicate stuff (like touch screens)Do you wear a lot of wool?If you concerned about electronics in one area, then consider a ESD wrist strap setup; they're fairly inexpensive...

Hey now - we got other things to do here! Like meth, and stealing catalytic converters!It's not the best, but it's far from the worst.Fort Wayne is actually a pretty good place to work and live.

The tungsten and ballast ratings are for ... wait for it ... tungsten and ballast.Since you're not connecting those loads, you can safely ignore them.If you're going to hardwire it into your electrical system (i.e. you want the outlet to be switched), get the UFR2, if you want it somewhat...

Do most arch controls / theatrical controls integration involve the console output running through the arch. controller?Going forward, without a centralized dimming rack, I see this as the logical way of doing things, but is there any reservations from the theatrical side of things? Sort of...

No need for me to imagine it - I lived. :mad:

Yes and no - if it's dimmable, you can dim before going off, which gives a motionless occupant time to yell or wave their arms.

We (Touché Controls) are almost there with our Room Manger systems, which will be cost effective architectural controls with DMX.Right now, to get DMX integration like that, I'd have to sell you a lot of pieces (the DMX interface, a sensor, a local interface module, and a master), and I'm...