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Cable Test Feature cont.
INPUT TEST
INDICATIONS
D - ON Data present on
D + ON
D - OFF D- signal missing
D + ON
D - ON D+ signal missing
D + OFF
D - OFF No data present on incoming
D + OFF
cable or device connected to that repeater channel. First, ensure that the
repeater is correctly receiving DMX512
data via the input connection, as per the
previous instructions. Once that is verifi ed, di sconn ect th e cabl e to t he sus pect
output channel and depress the corresponding ISO OUT TEST button. If both
the corresponding D- and D+ symbols
illuminate, this shows that the isolated
output circuitry inside the repeater is
working properly and is transmitting both
DMX512 signals. If not, there is likely a
problem with the output circuitry for that
channel. Try using the spare transceiver
chip to remedy the problem. Now reconnect the c able to the su spect outpu t and
perform the same test. If both of the Dand D+ LEDs illuminate, this shows that
there are no shorts in the output cabling
or connected receiving devices. If one or
both of the LEDs is off or dim, a cable or
device problem is indicated. NOTE: if an
output TEST button is pushed when a
proper input signal is not being received
by the DMX Repeater, the outputs will be
in their normal “idle” state (i.e. D- low
level, D+ high level), therefore the D+
symbol will ill uminate and t he D- symbol
will not.
incoming DMX line
or shorted to common
or shorted to common
DMX line
CAUTION!
DMXRepeaters are designed to work
on voltages from 90-250 volts AC. It
will automatically sense the incoming
voltage and adjust accordingly. The
power inlet is an IEC 60320-C14 type.
Be sure to use the correct, matching,
power cord if your location requires
something other than the 120V Uground cord included with the unit.
Model Descriptions
Models with Rear Mounted Connectors
8895 1 in - 6 out DMX Repeater, 5 pin XLR
8893 1 in - 6 out DMX Repeater , 3 pin XLR
8894 1 in - 6 ou t DMX Repeater, 3-3pin & 3-5 pin
8897 1 in - 6 out DMX Repeater , terminals
Models with Front Mounted Connectors
8875 1 in - 6 out DMX Repeater, 5 pin XL R
8873 1 in - 6 out DMX Repeater, 3 pin XLR
8874 1 in - 6 out DMX Repeater, 3-3pin & 3-5 pin
Specifications
Power
Supply:
Connections: 5 pin XLR , 3 pin XLR, or terminals
Isolation: 2500V O pto- isola tion on DMX line s
Protection: Up to 250VAC/DC on all
Protocols: DMX512 , DMX512 -A, or any EIA422
Size: 17 x 6 x 1.75” (432 x 152 x 44mm)
Unit Weight: 5.0 lbs. (1.86 kg)
Univers al input (90- 250V,
50/60Hz), 0.2A
4000V Mains isolation
port pins
or 485 based simplex protocol
USER’S MANUAL
An essential component of any
DMX512 distribution system, the
DMX Repeater permits star wiring
installations while isolating and
protecting connected equipment
from harmful electrical faults.
Pathway 8870/8890 Series DMX
Repeaters feature self-healing
protection devices on all ports to
prevent internal damage when
severe faults of up to 250V are
accidentally applied to the
connected DMX cabling. And to
help you resol ve any cable, signal
or component issues fast, there
are useful test functions built right
into the product!
Operational Philosophy
To ensure trouble free operation,
DMX512 standards require that DMX
devices be installed in a daisy chain, with
no t ees, wy es or star s i n th e DMX wi ri ng.
However, site conditions may make star
wiring desirable or even mandatory. A
Pathway DMX Repeater permits star
wiring by making each branch of the star
function electrically as its own entity,
unaffected by the other branches of the
star. Additionally, opto-isolation circuitry
isolates each branch to prevent ground
loops or accidental damage from fault
voltages on DMX lines.
DMX Repeater
6-way opto-isolated DMX splitter
8870 series
& 8890 series
DMX Basics
• All cabling must be in a continuous run,
daisy-chained , no “Tees” are permitted
• “Stars” are permitted only in
con junction with a repeater
• Cable shield may be earth-grounded at
one end only, preferably at the control
console
• Maxim um len gth of o ne cable s egment
is 1,800 ft. (550m)
• Receiving devices have male
connectors, transmitters have female
• The last DMX device on the line must
be ter mi nated with a t ermi nati on swi tch
or resistor with a value of 100 to 120
ohms between pins 2 and 3
• 5 pin XLR type DMX connectors are
standard:
Pin 2: Data (-)
Pin 3: Data (+)
Pin 4: Opti onal Data (-)
• 3 pin XLR type connectors are a non-
Pin 2: Data (-)
Pin 3: Data (+)
• Cable must be Belden 9842 (120Ω),
• A maximum of 32 DMX receiving
Pin 1: Common
Pin 5: Opti onal Data (+ )
standard alternative:
Pin 1: Common
9829, 9729 (100Ω), ISO/IEC 11801
(Cat5) or equivalent
devices can be present on a single
DMX line
Printed in Canada R9
Subject to change without notice 103 Inglewo od Plaza 1439 17Ave nue SE Calga ry AB, Canada T 2G 1J9 • +1 403 243-8110 Fax +1 403 287-128 1
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Connections
Typically, Gray DMX Repeaters are
used in the following configuration:
• DMX Input is connected to the
control console DMX output
• DMX Outputs ( IS O O ut A,B, C,D, E, &
F) a re con nec ted to th e rem ot e D MX
devices or receptacles for the
equipment receiving the console
signal. These may be dimmers,
scrollers or moving lights, for
example.
• DMX Th ru pa sses th e consol e signal
to additional DMX Repeaters or other
similar devices, and would in turn be
connected to DMX Input on the next
unit in line.
Screw Terminal
Connections
On the 8897 model, 2-piece screw
terminal connectors are provided on the
rear panel. The pin arrangement of these
connectors is the same as that of 5 pin
XLR connectors.
Recommended Wiring
Practice
Keep all DMX cabling away from high
voltage/power cables to maintain data
integrity. Wire must be Belden 9842 (120
Ω), 9829, 9729 (100Ω), ISO/IEC 11801 (
Cat5) or equivalent
WARNING!
All DMX input/output ports must only
be connected to low-voltage data
lines. Do not connect high voltage
sources to these connectors.
Wall or T russ Mounti ng
Optional wall (8812) or truss mount
(8811) kits are available.
Rack Mounti ng
DMX Repeaters can be rack mounted by
using an included 19" rack mount bracket
kit. The kit consists of two rack mount
ears that are attached to the DMX
Repea ter usi ng t he 4-4 0 scr ews i nclud ed
in the kit. Note t hat two screws will have
removed before the ears can be installed.
Indicators
The blue PWR indicator on the front left
of your DMX Repeater will illuminate
when AC power is connected to the unit.
There is no on/off switch.
The amber DATA indicator will illum inat e
and flicker rapidly to indicate that DMX
data is bein g received.
Red and green TEST indicators are associated with the input and each of the
six outputs. Refer to the Cable Test Fea-
ture instructions.
Location
The DMX Repeater is designed for indoor use, in a dry location. Since there is
no power switch, it should be installed
near a power socket-outlet, which must
be easily accessible.
DMX512-A Co mpliance
When equipped with 5-pin XLR connector s, this produc t compl ies wi th the AN SI
DMX512-A standard.
Term inal s trip vers ions ar e also com pliant with DMX512-A under the noncompatible connector (NCC) provision.
All ports are DMX512-A protected to
250V with self-healing circuitry.
DMX Termination
If only one DMX Repeater is used, and
nothing is connected to the DMX THRU
receptacle, the termination switch must
be set to the ‘in’ position (ON) to
term inate the in coming DMX sig nal from
the console. If several DMX Repeaters
are connected together using the DMX
THRU connector on each unit, only the
last DMX Repeater in the chain is
STAGE
DIMMERS
CONTROL CONSOLE
HOUSE
DIMMERS
RELAY
CABINET
Repeater
DMX
COLOR
SCROLLERS
Typical Application
DMX Termination cont.
terminated, all the others are not
terminated (switch in the ‘out’ position).
DMX receiving devices such as dimmers
or scrollers are generally provided with a
termination switch, termination jumper or
other means of connecting the required
termination resistance across the DMX
line. Always make sure that the last
receiving device connected to any output
line is properly terminated.
Cable Test Feature
Pathway 8870/8890 series DMX Repeaters provide users with the unique
ability to test the integrity of the incoming
and outgoing DMX signal and cabling.
This feature makes troubleshooting most
DMX communication problems easy and
can be accomplished right at the Repeater, without any additional test gear.
“TEST” pushbuttons are provided on the
face of the unit for the DMX input and
each of the six outputs.
The DMX signal runs on two separate
data lines: D- (XLR pin 2) and D+ (XLR
pin 3). Both are referenced to signal common (XLR pin 1). For DMX512 to work
reliably, the D- and D+ signals and common must be present and properly connected at both ends of the cable. Often, a
system will seem to work fine most of the
time with one of the three connections
missing or with two wires shorted – this
simply shows how fault tolerant DMX can
be! But int ermittent pr oblems will usu ally
appear at random, often at the worst possi ble time.
MOVING
LIGHTS
THRU ININ
MOVING
LIGHTS
DMX
Repeater
Cable Test Feature cont.
INPUT TROUBLESHOOTING
Normally when troubleshooting a communications problem it is common practice to start with the DMX512 source
(console signal). The DATA indicator may
or may not be illuminated at this point. If it
isn’t, first make sure that the console is
on and sending a DMX signal. Then, depress the DMX INPUT test button on the
repeater; this will disconnect the incoming
signal from the receiver circuitry and apply it to the red D- and green D+ LEDs.
Bot h of th em s hou l d i ll um i na t e ( t he D AT A
indicator will go o ut). This shows that t he
console’s DMX transmitter is capable of
sending a strong enough signal to drive
the two LEDs, and that all three pins are
connected. If the DATA indicator is always off and both of the D- and D+ LEDs
work with the TEST button depressed,
the DMX Repeater’s receiver may be
defective (a spare transceiver chip is located on the main c i rc uit board, inside the
unit). If either or both of the D- and D+
LEDs stay off when the TEST button is
pushed, there is a problem with the console’s output or the DMX cable.
NOTE: t he TEST LEDs can also detect
whether the D-/D+ wires are swapped.
With a DMX signal present, set all console channel levels to zero and depress
the Input TEST button. The D- LED
should be brighter than D+. When all
channels are set to full, D+ should be the
brightest.
OUTPUT TROUBLESHOOTING
DMX Repeater outputs should be tested
in stages to determine if a problem exists
in the repeater output circuitry or in a
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