Difference between revisions of "4 Conductor"

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(4-Core Waterproof connectors used with Dumb strings (RGB))
(Connector Wiring: 4-Conductor)
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[[File:Dumb-rgb.jpg|border|4-core used with Dumb RGB strings ]]
 
[[File:Dumb-rgb.jpg|border|4-core used with Dumb RGB strings ]]
  
The controller should use female connectors to prevent the exposed pins from accidental shorting. The dumb string of lights should use a mail connector to receive the power from the controller.
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The controller should use female connectors to prevent the exposed pins from accidental shorting. The dumb string of lights should use a male connector to receive the power from the controller.
  
 
The following picture shows 4-core female connectors attached to a 27-channel controller -- creating (9) 3-channel RGB dumb string connections.
 
The following picture shows 4-core female connectors attached to a 27-channel controller -- creating (9) 3-channel RGB dumb string connections.

Revision as of 00:52, 25 July 2013

Connector Wiring: 4-Conductor

The purpose of this page is to share common wiring schemes for 4-conductor systems. As additional systems are added, please include them in a form in which others can benefit.

Information on 3-Conductor (3-core) wiring schemes can be found at 3_Conductor

4-Core Water-proof connectors

Water-proof connectors are available from Ray Wu, but they can also be purchased from US-based resellers (ask around for names).

Ray Wu Store page

4-Core Waterproof connectors used with Dumb strings (RGB)

Dumb string controllers (MR16, DSC, and various 3rd party controllers) generate power that is passed to LEDs with inline-resistance. A 3-channel controller will pass a common 12V+ line to a string of LEDs, and ALSO pass ground line to a series of Red LEDs, a separate ground line to series of Green LEDs, and a final ground line to a series of Blue LEDs.

Using the current 4-core pigtail's wire colors as a starting point for a proposed wiring scheme, the scheme uses black for 12V+, red(brown?) wire for Red lights, green wire for Green lights, and blue wire for Blue lights.

4-core used with Dumb RGB strings

The controller should use female connectors to prevent the exposed pins from accidental shorting. The dumb string of lights should use a male connector to receive the power from the controller.

The following picture shows 4-core female connectors attached to a 27-channel controller -- creating (9) 3-channel RGB dumb string connections.

4-core female connectors connecting RGB dumb strings

4-Core Waterproof connectors used with Powered Pixelnet

4-conductor connectors can be used to receive pixelnet data AND power from the smart string hub. Smart string hubs can have up to (16) RJ-45 jacks. Each jack has identical data and power which is supplied to 1-16 attached SSCs. Pins 1 and 2 carry pixelnet data (Pixelnet+ and Pixelnet- respectively. Pins 3-5 carry 12V+ and Pins 6-8 carry GROUND.

By replacing a Cat5 plug on one end of a cat5 cable with a 4-core connector, the end of the cable -- normally exposed to cold and wet climates can be protected from the elements using the waterproof connector.

The SSC must be altered to use a 4-core male connector, while the cat5 'adapter' uses a female connector -- to avoid potential shorting from exposed pins.

The picture below shows the 4 lines passed into the SSC through the 4-core connector:

4-core connector used for pixelnet with power