dmx cable

[spin mobile disco]

I know it was done once before but was unable to find thread. Is it possible to use standard 3 core mains cable for short dmx runs .i.e under 3 meters? My guess is that you can but just wanted to check if anyone has tried this?

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Yes it is possible. There are those on here who will advise against it, but when i first started the uplighting I made up my cable runs this way, as a tryout, to keep costs down because i had reels and reels of cable. I never encountered an issue at all.

:)

[Ajaysdisco]

Quote from Andy Westcott on another forum:
"I use a run of about 8 metres using ordinary 3 core mains cable, no screening, no temination and get no problems, but ideally you'd require special cable: A screened twisted pair would be ideal - data cable. Using this, you could use a length of many tens of meters, or even hundreds, as long as the signal level didn't get too weak, when a relay amplifier would be needed."

Personally I fell you could but its not ideal and you risk the problems of interference.
For the cost of cable these days you might as well use the right stuff.

[Larry B Entertainment]

I know it was done once before but was unable to find thread. Is it possible to use standard 3 core mains cable for short dmx runs .i.e under 3 meters? My guess is that you can but just wanted to check if anyone has tried this?

Although I have heard it would work, technically it shouldn't as DMX cable is digital and capable of high data transmission. Why scrimp and save using the wrong sort of lead that isn't a twisted pair, isn't screened and not capable of carrying the data properly.

For the cost of 3 meter DMX cables, you may as well use the proper cable for the job. Even the budget Pulse cable from CPC will be more than enough to do a good job. I use these cables without problems.

[spin mobile disco]

Well to put peoples minds at rest. It does work I have just completed 2x 3 meter runs using high flex arctic cable. Its very good cable and as it is only being used between identicle fixturesin pairs on cable.
Fully tested and have been using mobile data transmision test for possible interfearance with no issues.

It wasnt trying to save money it was simply I had a large amount of the mains cable and no dmx data cable left. So to save myself a journey and to experiment I though why not use what I have. Other than no shielding it looks the same as any other dmx cable from the outside. And as it has now been made into one of my lighting looms it should be more flexible than previous looms due to the cable being more robust than dmx. (i hope anyway)

Lets face it most data transmission is done over copper cable and has been for last 60 or so years since morse code and I figured for such a short run any signal or power loss shoulld be minimal.

Also worth knowing I bought some new lighting fixtures last week and they came with dmx leads. And the cable included was made using 4 core non shielded cable 300v. I was pretty surprised but as they themselves were short cables (2 meters) I figured it may have been worth a shot to save same time in manafacture and a trip to local maplins and a 30 mile drive :)

[Tom Lovick]

Why would you use 13A cable?

Use proper dmx cable!! :muppet: :daft:

CPC pulse ones are cheap and excellent! :) :)

[sleah]

Why would you use 13A cable?

Use proper dmx cable!! :muppet: :daft:

CPC pulse ones are cheap and excellent! :) :)

Errr.......



It wasnt trying to save money it was simply I had a large amount of the mains cable and no dmx data cable left. So to save myself a journey and to experiment I though why not use what I have.