PD-Connex CX102-3 - Professional 5-Pin 3-Meter DMX Cable

PD-Connex CX102-3 - Professional 5-Pin 3-Meter DMX Cable

The PD-Connex CX102-3 is a high-quality, professional DMX signal cable designed to ensure a reliable connection and interference-free data transmission in complex lighting systems. Measuring 3 meters in length and equipped with 5-pin XLR connectors (male to female), this cable is the perfect choice for lighting technicians and designers seeking precision and durability. Its flexible yet robust construction, along with high-end metal connectors, ensures exceptional performance in both fixed installations and on-the-go live events.

This cable not only transmits the standard DMX signal, but is also designed for bidirectional communication thanks to its 5-pin configuration. This makes it fully compatible with the Remote Device Management (RDM) protocol, allowing the lighting console to receive status information and configure connected devices remotely, drastically optimizing setup and adjustment times.

Main features

• Professional 5-Pin Connectivity: Equipped with a 5-pin male XLR connector and a 5-pin female XLR connector, ideal for advanced lighting equipment.
• Versatile Length: Its 3-meter length offers a perfect balance between reach and maneuverability in most scenarios.
• High Quality Construction: Made with durable materials and a flexible design that withstands heavy use, preventing tangles and ensuring a long lifespan.
• Robust Metal Connectors: The connectors ensure a secure and stable connection, minimizing the risk of accidental disconnections and signal loss.
• 120 Ohm Impedance: Compliant with the DMX512 standard, ensuring complete and error-free data transmission.
• RDM support: The additional pins enable bidirectional communication, essential for using the RDM protocol for remote equipment monitoring and configuration.
• Excellent Shielding: Its high-density shielding (60x0.1mm) protects the signal against electromagnetic and radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI).
• Simple Organization: Includes a handy Velcro cable organizer to keep wiring tidy during transport and storage.

Benefits for the lighting professional

Using the PD-Connex CX102-3 cable results in greater efficiency and reliability. Its RDM capability allows technicians to save valuable time by addressing and configuring hard-to-reach devices directly from the console, without the need for ladders or dismantling structures. The cable's high-quality construction ensures that the DMX signal reaches each device unaltered, resulting in a precise and flawless light show, exactly as designed. Its durability makes it a smart investment for rental companies and touring productions.

Use cases

This cable is the essential tool for connecting a wide variety of professional lighting equipment. It's ideal for linking control consoles with moving heads, LED PAR lights, strobes, smoke machines, and other devices that use the DMX512 protocol. Its RDM compatibility makes it especially valuable in large-scale, fixed installations such as theaters, television studios, concert halls, and nightclubs, as well as in corporate events and music tours where speed and reliability are critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 3-pin DMX cable and a 5-pin DMX cable like this one?
A 3-pin DMX cable transmits a single DMX signal line (pins 1-3 for ground, data -, and data +). A 5-pin cable has the same configuration for the first three pins but adds two extra pins (4 and 5). These extra pins are used for a second data line or, more commonly, to enable bidirectional communication protocols such as RDM (Remote Device Management).

Can I use this cable to connect a microphone?
It's not recommended. Although XLR connectors are physically compatible, the impedance is different. Microphone cables have a lower impedance, while DMX cables, like this one, have a 120-ohm impedance, specifically designed for digital data transmission. Using a DMX cable for audio can affect sound quality, and using a microphone cable for DMX can cause lighting signal errors.

What advantages does RDM compatibility offer me?
Remote Device Management (RDM) allows your lighting console to "talk" to compatible devices. You can change a luminaire's DMX address, monitor its status (temperature, lamp usage hours), receive error notifications, and perform other configurations remotely, without having to physically access the device.

Why is an impedance of 120 Ohms important?
A 120-ohm impedance is a key specification of the DMX512 standard. It ensures that the digital signal is transmitted without reflections or degradation along the cable, preventing data errors that could cause flickering or erratic behavior in the lights. Using a cable with the correct impedance is crucial for system stability.

Project description

Professional signal cable for lighting control, model PD-Connex CX102-3. It is 3 meters long and features 5-pin metal XLR connectors, male on one end and female on the other. The inner conductor is 20 x 0.12 mm² and has 60 x 0.1 mm² shielding for optimal interference protection. The outer diameter of the cable is 6.3 mm². It complies with the DMX512 standard, has a characteristic impedance of 120 ohms, and is compatible with the RDM protocol for bidirectional communication.