User Manual

Page 16
The Puck™ Pro Zoom EXA Manual Rev. A Copyright (c) 2014 Blizzard Lighting, LLC
5. APPENDIX
A Quick Lesson On DMX
DMX covers (and is an abbreviation for) Digital MultipleXed signals. It is the most common
communications standard used by lighting and related stage equipment.
DMX provides up to 512 control “channels” per data link. Each of these channels was
originally intended to control lamp dimmer levels. You can think of it as 512 faders on a
lighting console, connected to 512 light bulbs. Each slider’s position is sent over the data
linkasan8-bitnumberhavingavaluebetween0and255.Thevalue0correspondstothe
light bulb being completely off while 255 corresponds to the light bulb being fully on.
DMXdataistransmittedat250,000bitspersecondusingtheRS-485transmission
standard over two wires. As with microphone cables, a grounded cable shield is used to
prevent interference with other signals.
TherearevepinsonaDMXconnector:awireforground(cableshield),twowiresfor
“Primary” communication which goes from a DMX source to a DMX receiver, and two
wires for a “Secondary” communication which goes from a DMX receiver back to a DMX
source.Generally,the“Secondary”channelisnotusedsodataowsonlyfromsources
to receivers. Hence, most of us are most familiar with DMX-512 as being employer over
typical3-pin“miccables,”althoughthisdoesnotconformtothedenedstandard.
DMXisconnectedusingadaisy-chaincongurationwherethesourceconnectstotheinput
oftherstdevice,theoutputoftherstdeviceconnectstotheinputofthenextdevice,
and so on. The standard allows for up to 32 devices on a single DMX link.
Each receiving device typically has a means for setting the “starting channel number” that
itwillrespondto.Forexample,iftwo6-channelxturesareused,therstxturemight
be set to start at channel 1 so it would respond to DMX channels 1 through 6, and the next
xturewouldbesettostartatchannel7soitwouldrespondtochannels7through12.
Troubleshooting
Symptom Solution
Fixture Auto-
Shut Off
Checkthefaninthexture.Ifitisstoppedormovingslowerthan
normal, the unit may have shut itself off due to high heat. This is to
protectthexturefromoverheating.Clearthefanofobstructions,
or return the unit for service.
Beam is Dim Check optical system and clean excess dust/grime. Also ensure that
the 220V/110V switch is in the correct position, if applicable.
No Light Output Checktoensurextureisoperatingundercorrectmode,IEsound
active/auto/DMX/Etc., if applicable. Contact service for more infor-
mation.
Chase Speed Too
Fast/Slow
Checktoensurepropersetupofspeedadjustment.
No Power Check fuse, AC cord and circuit for malfunction.
No Response to
Audio
Verifythatthextureisin“SoundActive”mode.
AdjustAudioSensitivity,IfApplicable.
Fixture Not
Responding /
Responding Er-
ratically
Make sure all connectors are seated properly and securely.
Use Only DMX Cables.
Install a Terminator.
Check all cables for defects.
Resetxture(s).