How to use DMX512 pixel LEDs with pixel LED controllers

How to use DMX512 LEDs with Pixel LED controllers

DMX512 Protocol

Digital Multiplex is a communication protocol used to remotely control lighting dimmers and intelligent devices. DMX is an asynchronous serial digital data protocol . It’s designed to provide a common communications standard between these lighting devices . So that deferent devises from different manufactures can work together.

The number 512 after the DMX refers to the number of control channels used on one network segment of devices. In a simple dimming system, one channel controls the intensity of one dimmer. A single intelligent device may require several channels to control its various parameters .

The DMX 512 protocol is based on the Standard 485 or RS-485 (EIA/TIA-485 standard), which uses asynchronous, differential data transmission. This standard supports 32 devices on one network at a distance of up to 4000 feet. One device functions as the master (the DMX controller) on a network, while the rest function as slaves (dimmers, intelligent fixtures, etc.). Only the master transmits over the network, and all slaves receive the same data.

DMX512 Addressing

DMX512 pixel LED Adressing

The DMX Control device will broadcast up to 512 channels. The Decoder must be set to a desired channel to control the connected Light. This is usually accomplished by setting up the address using a DIP switch or LED/LCD display. This desired ‘channel’ is commonly known as the DMX address.If your pixel LED controller dosnt support DMX address writing you can use a DMX address writer to setup the addresses of pixel LED units.

DMX512 Data

DMX512 data packet

DMX 512 data is transmitted at 250 kHz, meaning that 250,000 per second and 0’s (at a maximum) can be sent each second. Each bit is measured in 4 microsecond (µs) intervals. In order for the receiving device to correctly interpret the data, it must be sent in a particular sequence. A single transmission (DMX Packet) includes synchronizing elements and channel data for up to 512 channels.The following table describes each element of the DMX Packet, including its line state, size and duration.

DMX512 data packet description

DMX512 in pixel LED controllers.

Most of the pixel LED controller available today supports DMX512 protocol because there are pixel LED drive ICs that use DMX512 protocol to communicate. Different pixel LED controller manufactures uses different ports and labels for DMX512 connection .Here are the most common pixel LED wiring diagrams that used DMX512 protocol. Pixel LED controllers also uses DMX512 communication protocol to communicate with other controllers when networked together (Cascade system).In this article lets look in to how to connect pixel LEDs that uses DMX512 protocol with Pixel LED controllers like T-1000S

Pixel LED Chips That uses DMX512

• UCS512
• WS2821
• UCS512B3
• DMX512AP-N -
• UCS512C3
• TM512C4
• SM16512
• WS2821
• DMX512A
• TM512AC
• UCS512D
• TM512AS
• SM17512
• SM17522
• UCS512-F
• TM512AC
• SM17500
• GS8512
• QED512P

Pixel LED Controllers That supports DMX512

• T-1000S
• T-1000B
• T-1000A
• T-4000
• T-8000
• K-8000D
• T-100K-B
• T-200K-B
• T-300K
• T-400K

Wiring of DMX512 chip to Controller

Here are some of the wiring diagrams of pixel LED strips or strings that uses DMX512 protocol with pixel LED controllers .

DMX512 pixel LED Wiring Diagram 1

DMX512 pixel LED wiring diagram 1

In this diagram pixel LED controllers data ground connects to the ground of the DMX pixel LED strip.The A and B outputs of the pixel LED controller connects to the A and B inputs of the DMX pixel LED strip respectively.The +5v line of the power supply connects to both the pixel LED controller and DMX512 pixel LED strip .

Note : Depend on the manufacturer the colors of the wires and A and B labels may differ .If the pixel led strip/ string not working please swap the A and B connection of the pixel led controller.

DMX512 pixel LED Wiring Diagram 2

In this diagram pixel LED controllers data ground connects to the ground of the DMX pixel LED strip.The A and B outputs of the pixel LED controller connects to the D+ and D- inputs of the DMX512 pixel LED strip respectively.The +5v line of the power supply connects to both the pixel LED controller and DMX512 pixel LED strip .

Note : Depend on the manufacturer the colors of the wires and A and B labels may differ .If the pixel led strip/ string not working please swap the A and B connection of the pixel led controller.

UCS512C4 / SM16512 / TM512C4 / TM512A pixel LED Wiring Diagram 1

UCS512 pixel LED Wiring Diagram1

In this diagram pixel LED controllers data ground connects to the ground of the UCS512C4 DMX pixel LED strip.The A and B outputs of the pixel LED controller connects to the A and B inputs of the UCS512 pixel LED strip respectively.The +5v line of the power supply connects to both the pixel LED controller and UCS512 pixel LED strip .The P input of the pixel LED strip is for channel selection you don't have to connect to anything .If This wiring doesn't work , please check the next diagram.

Note : Depend on the manufacturer the colors of the wires and A and B labels may differ .If the pixel led strip/ string not working please swap the A and B connection of the pixel led controller.

UCS512C4 / SM16512 / TM512A /TM512C4 pixel LED Wiring Diagram 2

UCS512 DMX pixel LED wiring diagram 2

In this diagram pixel LED controllers data ground connects to the ground of the UCS512C4/ SM16512/ TM512AC DMX pixel LED strip.The A and B outputs of the pixel LED controller connects to the A and B inputs of the UCS512 pixel LED strip respectively.The CLK (Clock) terminal of the pixel led controller connects to the PI (port input) of the UCS512 pixel led strip.In this case The clock line of the controller generates the channel data .The +5v line of the power supply connects to both the pixel LED controller and UCS512 pixel LED strip .

Note : Depend on the manufacturer the colors of the wires and A and B labels may differ .If the pixel led strip/ string not working please swap the A and B connection of the pixel led controller.

WS2821 DMX pixel LED Wiring Diagram

WS2812 T1000S DMX512 Wiring Diagram

In this diagram pixel LED controllers ground connects to the GND (ground) of the DMX pixel LED strip .The A output of the pixel LED controller connects to the D input (Data) of the WS2811 pixel LED strip.The CLK (Clock) line of the pixel LED controller connects to the Adi (Address in) of the WS2821 DMX pixel LED strip .The +5v line of the power supply connects to both the pixel LED controller and DMX512 pixel LED strip .

Note : Depend on the manufacturer the colors of the wires and A and B labels may differ .If the pixel led strip/ string not working ,please connect the wire that connects to A terminal to B terminal of the pixel led controller.

UCS512B3 / CS512A pixel LED Wiring Diagram

UCS512B3 pixel LED Wiring Diagram

In this diagram pixel LED controllers data ground connects to the ground of the UCS512B3 / CS512A1 DMX pixel LED strip.The A output of the pixel LED controller connects to DI (Data in) input of the UCS512B3 /CS512A1 pixel LED strip .The CLK (Clock) terminal of the pixel led controller connects to the Pi (port input) of the UCS512B3 pixel led strip.In this case The clock line of the controller generates the channel data . .The +5v line of the power supply connects to both the pixel LED controller and UCS512B3/ CS512A1 pixel LED strip .

DMX512AP-N / WS2821 pixel LED Wiring Diagram -2

DMX512AP-N pixel LED Wiring Diagram

As you can see in the image to connect the pixel LED controller to the DMX512AP-N /WS2821pixel LED strip a DMX converter is being used .The And B outputs of the pixel led controller connects to the A and B inputs of the DMX converter and the +5 and GND of the DMX converter connects to the power supply's +5v and GND outputs.The D output of the DMX converter connects to the D (Data) of the DMX512AP-N pixel LED strip and the NC output of the converter connects to the Adi (Address in) of the pixel LED strip.The +5v and GND of the pixel LED strip connects to the +5 and GND of the converter.However if you are using this method you have to use a DMX address writer to write the address of the pixel LED strip's chips.

DMX512 signal to WS2821 converter

Note : Depend on the manufacturer the colors of the wires and A and B labels may differ .If the pixel led strip/ string not working ,please swap the wires that connects to A and B terminals of the pixel led controller.

Learn It Step By Step