Pathway LR User Manual

DMXPathfinder LR

Installer’s GuideInstaller’s Guide

Version 1.2

June 2000

Gray InterfacesGray Interfaces

480C - 36 Avenue S.E.

Calgary, AB, T2G 1W4

Canada

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

Web site: www.gray-interfaces.com

DMXPathfinder LR Contents

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 2

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF DMXPATHFINDER! .......................................2

CHAPTER 1: INSTALLATION AND ASSEMBLY ...................................... 3

SUMMARY................................................................... 3

BEFORE STARTING ........................................................... 3

RACK SIZING AND PLACEMENT................................................... 4

MOUNTING TERMINATION BOARDS .................................................5

I/O CABLE INSTALLATION .....................................................6

MODULE PREPARATION .........................................................6

MODULE INSTALLATION ........................................................ 7

I/O CABLE CONNECTION....................................................... 9

PC-COM CABLE CONNECTION................................................... 10

RS232/485 COMMUNICATIONS ................................................. 10

TESTING THE INSTALLATION................................................... 12

CHAPTER 2: MAINTENANCE & TESTING ......................................... 13

CARD REPLACEMENT.......................................................... 13

TEST PROCEDURES .......................................................... 13

ADVANCED TROUBLESHOOTING................................................... 15

SYSTEM RESET ............................................................. 16

1

DMXPathfinder LR Introduction

INTRODUCTION

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF DMXPATHFINDER!

This Installation Guide is intended to walk you through a typical installation. In

preparing the User Guide, it has been assumed that you are reasonably familiar
with the DMX512 and the various wiring methods associated with RS422/485
based protocols. Installing and configuring the PC software is covered in detail
in the Installation and User guide.

The Installer’s Guide is divided into 2 chapters:

• DMXPathfinder Installation leads you through all the steps necessary for
a “clean” installation of your hardware.

• Maintenance and Testing offers troubleshooting tips and procedures to
keep everything running smoothly.

2

DMXPathfinder LR Installation & Assembly

Chapter 1: Installation and Assembly

SUMMARY

This section describes how to correctly assemble the DMXPathfinder LR

hardware into an equipment rack and connect permanently installed external
wiring.

To ensure a trouble-free installation, you should follow this sequence:

1. Install the equipment rack

2. Run conduit and pull cable

3. Install auxiliary rack equipment and power bars

4. Mount termination boards (if applicable)

5. Dress cable in the rack and terminate (if possible)

6. Unpack the DMXPathfinder LR I/O Modules and prepare

7. Install the I/O Modules in the rack

8. Connect cabling to the I/O Modules

9. Power up and test

BEFORE STARTING

Before installing the DMXPathfinder LR equipment rack, you should
carefully consider the environment in which the equipment is to be installed, the
proximity to power sources, and the required conduit and/or cable runs.

Environmental Considerations -- To maximize equipment life and minimize

the possibility of unreliable operation or failures, the following conditions should
be adhered to:

• Ambient temperature extremes: -10 to 50 degrees C

• Recommended operating temperature: +10 to +40 degrees C

• Relative humidity : 10-95% non-condensing

• General conditions: clean, dust-free environment

Fan Cooling -- Each of the DMXPathfinder LR Output Modules is provided with

an internal cooling fan. These fans draw air in on the right hand side and
exhaust air on the left. To ensure adequate air circulation, do not block the
modules at either side. If more than two or three Output Modules are installed in

3

DMXPathfinder LR Installation & Assembly

the same rack, allow for at least a 1U vent panel at the top and bottom of the
rack.

Power Requirements -- A single phase power source (50 or 60Hz, 100-

240VAC, at 0.1A per Input Module and 0.25A per Output Module) must be
provided to the DMXPathfinder LR equipment rack. It is recommended that no
more than ten I/O modules be connected to one power circuit due to the startup
current requirements of their switch-mode power supplies.

RACK SIZING AND PLACEMENT

The system installer normally supplies the DMXPathfinder LR equipment
rack. Use only a standard E.I.A. 19" rack, at least 18" deep (24" is
recommended). To calculate minimum height, add up the number of 2U Input

4

DMXPathfinder LR Installation & Assembly

Modules and 4U Output Modules to be installed, then add at least 2U for vent
panels and allowance for power bars, connector panels or other accessories if
required. Louvered, locking front and rear doors are recommended.

Locate the rack such that at least 3 feet of clearance is allowed at the front,
2 feet at the back, and sufficient clearance at one side (preferably the left) to
permit service access to the internal cable connections.

M OUNTING TERMINATION BOARDS

One of two types of cable termination boards are normally supplied with
the system to provide the physical interface between the DMXPathfinder LR
Output Modules and external station cabling.

Model P2020 32-way terminal block transition boards are the most
commonly used method of connecting the DMX output station cabling. These

A

B G C D

DMX INPUTS

PORT H

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 12 2 2 2 2 2 2 23 3 3 3 3 3 3 34 4 4 4 4 4 4 45 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

J2 J1

OUTPUT 5-8 OUTPUT 1-4

J4 J3

OUTPUT 13-16 OUTPUT 9-12

J6 J5

OUTPUT 21-24 OUTPUT 17-20

J8 J7

OUTPUT 29-32 OUTPUT 25-28

TB8

TB7

TB16

TB15

TB24

TB23

TB32

TB31

PORT FPORT G

TB6

TB5

TB4

TB3

TB2

TB14

TB13

TB12

TB11

TB10

TB22

TB21

TB20

TB19

TB18

TB30

TB29

TB28

TB27

TB26

F
G

Input Module, 8-way

A

DMX Input Terminal Blocks

B

H

J

KC

Linking Cable, 37 conductor
Mains Power Supply Input

E

LD

M

E

CABLE A THRU

POWER

100-240V 50/60Hz

J9

CABLE A IN

POWER IN

100-240V

50/60Hz

PC-COM

CPS
TxD
RxD
COM
TxD+
TxD­RxD+
RxD-

J11

J13

PORT APORT BPORT CPORT DPORT E

INTER-MODULE BUS

J10

CABLE B IN

INTER-MODULE BUS

DMX Pathfinder LR

32-WAY OUTPUT MODULE

MODEL NUMBER

SERIAL NUMBER

100-240 VAC
50/60Hz 1.0A

MADE IN CANADA

INTER-MODULE BUS

TB1

TB9

TB17

TB25

CABLE B THRU

J12

JMLF H K

Processor / Output Module, 32-way
DMX Output Connectors, 4-way (DB25F)
Inter-Module Bus Connector, 1-8 Inputs (DB37F)
Inter-Module Bus Connector, 9-16 Inputs
PC Communications Connection, RS232/RS485Inter-Module Bus Connection
Output Terminal Adapter Board, 32-way
DMX Output Terminal Blocks, 2 piece

5