Doug Fleenor Designs 125 Users Manual

DMX512 ISOLATED SPLITTER/AMPLIFIER

OWNERS MANUAL

Doug Fleenor Design

396 Corbett Canyon Road

Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

[phone]

revision 1.3
August, 1999

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The Splitter/Amplifier provides between one and eleven DMX512 outputs from a single DMX512
input. The outputs are electrically isolated from the input and from each other by 2500 volt optical
couplers.

All models of our Splitter/Amplifier boost the signal as well as isolate it. I nput levels as low as 0.2
volts are transmitted at full EIA-485 levels (about 4.5 volts).

The splitters allow the DMX signal to be split without the possibility of reflections from one sig nal
path interfering with the signal to a device on a different path. By isolating each output, electrical
noise and hazardous voltages on one output are prevented from affecting (or damaging) devices on
the input or another output.

Common uses for the Splitter/Amplifier include:
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Boosting the signal level on long control runs (greater than 500 feet)

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Splitting the signal to multiple dimmer locations

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Splitting the signal betw een dimm ers and other D MX devices (color changers, moving lights, etc.)
Isolating two or three dimmer packs from each other.

Although this product was designed for the digital multiplex lighting control standard DMX512, the
units use standard EIA-485 components. They can be used to split and isolate any single-drop uni­directional EIA-422 or EIA-485 line up to the rated data rate of 250 Kb/s.

SETUP AND CONNECTIONS

Plug the splitter's line cord into a grounded electrical outlet. The splitter requires between 100 and
120 volts, 50 or 60 hert z. It requires less than 1/10 amp (12 W atts). It should be grounded for
maximum electrical noise isolation and safety. The earth ground is connected only to the chassis.
All circuitry is isolated from the chassis and the power cord's ground pin.

Plug the console or other DMX source into the Splitter/Amplifier's input connector. Connect the
output(s) of the unit to the dimmers or other DMX receivers.

The splitter is normally provided with the connectors specified for DMX512:

Input = 5 pin male "XLR" style Output = 5 pin female "XLR" style

The signals on each pin are:

1 = Common
2 = Data ­3 = Data +
4 = No Connection
5 = No Connection

The unit may also be ordered with non-standard connectors such as 3 pin "XLR" style.

Note that pin 1 is common in name only. All commons are electrically isolated from each other.