Control/Dimming Making RJ45 to XLR 5p adapters

[Crash_Override]

Hi,

I need to make some RJ45 to XLR 5pin adapters. How would you do that?
We have spare DMX lines that are made from CAT6/7 cable and RJ45 (cat6a) sockets. Now I need to make some adapters. I don't want to use cat5 cable. I would rather use cat6 instead.
Should I buy some 1m length cat6a patch cords and cut them in the half and solder XLR's on them? Or is there a better way? I don't like that the cat6a cable is rather stiff. But I can't

 

[Clint Eastwood]

You can get Duracat, ot TMB rPoplex cable that has a better feel and handles like a DMX or mic cable and use an Ethercon or a ProShell, though cutting the end off of a patch cable and adding and XLR is the easiest way. Be aware, there are a couple of different "standards" for the pin out depending on the manufacturer.

 

[DanH]

While various manufacturers have used their own variation on the pinout (looking at you, CK), there is a pinout in the published ANSI standard for DMX, E1.11 - see page 13

ANSI E1.11 - 2008 (R2013) - http://tsp.esta.org/tsp/documents/docs/ANSI-ESTA_E1-11_2008R2013.pdf

ETC has a nice discussion of it here:
https://www.etcconnect.com/Support/Articles/DMX-Over-Cat5.aspx

The other thing to consider is that you can build (or buy) a 'sneak snake,' especially useful if your cable is shielded, and send multiple universes down a single cable, i.e.
http://www.tmb.com/products/82-sneak-snake
http://www.cbicables.com/products/dmx_to_cat__shuttle_snake.aspx

 

[Amiers]

Honestly if you are going to buy the patch cables you might as well just buy the adapter instead. The avg price of patch cable is 15$ the avg price of a premade adapter 14$. No hard research just the 5 mins of googling I just did.

 

[Chris15]

Folks, have a look at the OP's location - Estonia, normal US suppliers should not be assumed to be available...

I'm not sure why you'd prefer not to use Cat5, DMX uses only a fraction of the bandwidth available on 5e, let along the higher grades. You won't compromise performance by not using 6A.
With that in mind, personally, I'd cut a shielded 5e patch lead in half and terminate, anything beyond 5e has not benefit and is more of a mongrel to work with...

 

[Amiers]

Yeah I saw but if he can get a hold of cat6 cable he shouldn't have a problem sourcing the adapters.

 

[techieman33]

You can buy stranded cable that will be a lot more flexible and easier to work with.