DMX-over-CAT5

derekleffew

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A method of distributing DMX512 using category 5, 5e, 6 computer networking cable. The signal IS NOT converted to a network signal, and thus standard router s, hub s, switch es, etc. CANNOT be used.

It's been standard procedure for a short time to use CAT5, rather than DMX, cable for permanently wiring. CAT5 is slightly less-expensive, more familiar to contractors, and allows a degree of future-proofing--the connectors/wall plates can be changed at a later date to allow computer networking without the need to re-pull the wire.

The use of CAT5 cable for portable applications is hotly debated, but most agree that for now, it's best continue using DMX (EIA-485) compliant cable with 5pin XLR connectors.

A standard pin-out has been established. From http://www.etcconnect.com/Community/wikis/products/knowledgebase-dmx-over-cat-5.aspx :
border ="1"
|-
| valign="top" style="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-top: 0in; border : windowtext 1pt solid" | Pin (Wire) #
| valign="top" style="border-right: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid" | Wire Color
| style="border-right: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid" | DMX512 Function
|-
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: 1pt solid; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid; text-align: center" | 1
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | white / orange
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | data 1+
|-
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: 1pt solid; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid; text-align: center" | 2
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | orange
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | data 1-
|-
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: 1pt solid; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid; text-align: center" | 3
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | white / green
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | data 2+ (optional)
|-
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: 1pt solid; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid; text-align: center" | 6
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | green
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | data 2- (optional)
|-
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: 1pt solid; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid; text-align: center" | 4
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | blue
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | Not assigned
|-
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: 1pt solid; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid; text-align: center" | 5
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | white / blue
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | Not assigned
|-
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: 1pt solid; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid; text-align: center" | 7
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | white / brown
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | (Common Reference) for Data 1 (0v)
|-
| style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: top; border-left: 1pt solid; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid; text-align: center" | 8
| valign="top" style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | brown
| valign="top" style="border-right: 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: medium none; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: medium none; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: 1pt solid" | (Common Reference) for Data 2 (0v)
|-

Note also the caveats involved, as detailed on the site.

One of many threads on the topic: http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/lighting-electrics/30465-cat5-over-ceiling.html .


Do not confuse with DMX-over-Ethernet.
 

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