Funky 5pin DMX adapter

[Marshall Gwyn]

Can someone tell me why a cable would be wired this way on a 5 pin cable, it is in our inventory and none of use know what it's for.

male end:
1-Ground/Shield
2-White and White
3-Blue and Brown
4-unused
5-unused

Female end:
1-Brown
2-Blue
3- white and white
4- unused
5- unused
Note- shielding is trimmed back and not connected to anything on female side

 

[EdSavoie]

Possibly for Strand MultipleX? (SMX)
It uses the same port as DMX on my board. I'm just guessing though.

 

[John Palmer]

IIRC, old Martin 218s had a different pinout for data connection whether connecting to Martin controller or DMX. Pin 2&3 swapped. I think it was the same for the MAC 500s and 600s, but I seem to remember there was a jumper inside to swap it.
It has been a few years so some of my details might be off.
Take care,
JP

 

[icewolf08]

Well, it wouldn't work for DMX, and it sounds like it is not actually an appropriate cable for DMX as it has two white-jacket conductors. There are other things that use 5-pin XLR, but I can't think of any that would be wired in such a way. If this is anything other than an adapter, it is probably like that because someone had an odd problem they needed fixed, or they just didn't know how to fix a cable.

 

[porkchop]

Put it in a box to be used or destroyed by Jan 1 2018. If it isn't needed for a full year toss it.