ProLights PARCOLOR56, User Manual

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PARCOLOR56

3.5 Operation via a light control unit

For operation via a light controller with DMX512 protocol, the unti is equipped with 6 DMX channels. For 

connection, the PARCOLOR56 is equipped with 3-pole XLR connections (1 = ground, 2 = DMX-, 3 = DMX+). 

According to the jack available on the unit to be connected, either use the 3-pole connection.

3.6 Connection of the DMX line

DMX connection employs standard XLR connectors. Use  shielded pair-twisted cables with 120Ω imped-

ance and low capacity.

The following diagram shows the connection mode:

ATTENTION

The screened parts of the cable (sleeve) must never be connected to the system’s earth, as this would cause 

faulty fixture and controller operation.

Over long runs can be necessary to insert a DMX level matching amplifier. 

For those connections the use of balanced microphone cable is not recommended because it cannot trans-

mit control DMX data reliably. 

• 

Connect the controller DMX input to the DMX output of the first unit.

• 

Connect the DMX output to the DMX input of the following unit. Connect again the output to the input 

of the following unit until all the units are connected in chain.

• 

When the signal cable has to run longer distance is recommended to insert a DMX termination on the 

last unit.

3.7 Construction of the DMX termination

The termination avoids the risk of DMX 512 signals being reflected back along the cable when they reaches 

the end of the line: under certain conditions and with certain cable lengths, this could cause them to cancel 

the original signals.

The termination is prepared by soldering a 120Ω 1/4 W resistor between pins 2 and 3 of the 5-pin male XLR 

connector.

1

3

2

1

2

3

Pin1 : GND - Shield

Pin2 : - Negative

Pin3 : + Positive

DMX - INPUT

XLR plug

DMX - OUTPUT

XLR socket

Example:

3 pin XLR connector 

1

2

3

120 Ω

2

3

1