Lighting Control Cable AES DMX Non-Plenum

Summary: Lighting Control Cable AES DMX Non-Plenum

ProAV Low-Voltage Cables for Commercial and Industrial Systems

Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire low-voltage cabling in the United States for professional audio, video, and control environments. Our pro av cable offering is designed for dependable performance in conference centers, corporate campuses, education, hospitality, houses of worship, and large venues—where clean signal delivery, consistent impedance, and installation efficiency are essential.

Built for real-world ProAV demands

• Balanced digital audio and control – 120-ohm impedance supports AES/EBU, RS-422/RS-485, and DMX512 lighting control runs with predictable performance.
• Low-capacitance design – Helps preserve signal integrity and timing on longer pulls common in commercial builds.
• Shielded construction – Overall shielding mitigates EMI/RFI in electrically noisy spaces with lighting, motors, and high-density electronics.
• Tinned copper conductors – Corrosion resistance and reliable terminations over the life of the installation; Black/Red conductor color code streamlines checks and service.
• Code-ready – UL Listed C(UL)US CMR for non-plenum riser applications; 78% velocity of propagation for consistent, spec-driven design work.
• Installation efficiency – SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied during manufacturing to reduce pulling friction by up to 70% and does not leave a visible residue.
• Standardization by color – Choose from a broad selection of SmartWire jacket and stripe color combinations, or request custom colors to align with your standards and simplify identification across sites.

Applications

• Digital audio transport (AES/EBU), intercom, and control system backbones between processors, DSPs, and endpoints.
• DMX512 lighting control and building control signaling in auditoriums, entertainment spaces, exhibit halls, and themed environments.
• RS-422/RS-485-based device control for projectors, switchers, matrix routers, PTZ cameras, and signage controllers.

Plan complete infrastructures

This balanced-pair solution integrates cleanly with complementary categories such as digital coax cable for RF distribution, digital antenna wire and cable for broadcast or headend needs, and digital media cable wire for AV transport. For unified control systems, pair with our automation and lighting cable options to support end-to-end project delivery.

Why Windy City Wire for ProAV

• Made in the USA – SmartWire is manufactured domestically to tight tolerances and consistent specifications.
• Project-ready performance – Electrical characteristics are engineered for modern AV and control protocols to help you design with confidence.
• Low-voltage specialization – Focused portfolio, clear specifications, and knowledgeable support for commercial and industrial installations.
• Customization options – Standard and custom jacket/stripe color combinations to align with your company standards and jobsite labeling practices.

Available construction

1. 24 AWG 1 Pair Tinned Copper Shielded Non-Plenum (Low-Cap) Low-Voltage (CMR): Balanced, 120-ohm pair for digital audio, RS-422/RS-485, and DMX lighting control in commercial riser spaces; low capacitance and overall shielding help maintain signal integrity over longer runs.

Summary: Value for your next project

SmartWire ProAV cabling helps integrators deliver reliable, code-compliant systems with consistent impedance, low capacitance, and strong noise rejection—key to dependable audio, control, and lighting performance. With U.S. manufacturing, SmartWire Glide lubrication for easier pulls, and options to standardize by color, Windy City Wire provides the products and solutions you need to execute efficiently and maintain high quality across every job.

Contact Windy City Wire to review specifications and plan your next ProAV project.

Solutions: Lighting Control Cable AES DMX Non-Plenum

Lighting Control Cable AES/DMX (Non‑Plenum) for Professional AV and Building Environments

Windy City Wire supplies low‑voltage cabling purpose‑built for commercial and industrial projects. Our AES/DMX lighting control cable is engineered for stable 120‑ohm performance and noise rejection in demanding facilities where lighting control and digital audio control share infrastructure with power, networking, and production systems. As a pro av cable for control, it supports the signal integrity and uptime integrators need across busy job sites, from new construction to retrofits.

Systems and applications this cable supports

• DMX512 and RDM control of architectural and entertainment lighting: moving heads, LED fixtures, color‑changing house lights, dimmers, and relay racks
• AES3 (AES/EBU) digital audio control/interconnect where 120‑ohm balanced lines are specified
• Show control and automation triggers bridging lighting consoles, media servers, and building systems
• Centralized or distributed control rooms tying into theatrical spaces, arenas, studios, and public areas

Where this low‑voltage cable fits in your AV integration

• Entertainment and performance venues: theaters, concert halls, broadcast studios, production stages
• Corporate and commercial: conference centers, divisible ballrooms, executive briefing centers, office atriums
• Hospitality and leisure: hotels, casinos, cruise ships, theme parks, museums, and exhibit spaces
• Education: auditoriums, multi‑purpose rooms, performing arts centers, sports facilities
• Public and transportation: airports, arenas, stadiums, convention halls, houses of worship, municipal facilities
• Industrial and retail: distribution centers, manufacturing floors, flagship retail, experiential showrooms

Why spec this cable for DMX/AES control

• Signal integrity for 120‑ohm control: A true 120‑ohm balanced pair maintains the characteristic impedance DMX512 and AES3 require, helping prevent reflections and data errors in long runs and device‑dense universes.
• Shielded construction: A full shield helps reject EMI and RFI common to commercial electrical rooms, catwalks, and rigging spaces, reducing flicker and intermittent control issues.
• Reliable termination and serviceability: A dedicated balanced pair with a clear black/red color code streamlines field termination to XLR, terminal blocks, and patch panels while supporting consistent polarity throughout the chain.
• Durability and corrosion resistance: Tinned copper conductors hold up in humid or high‑traffic environments and simplify soldered terminations when required.
• Code‑appropriate installation: UL Listed CMR (riser) rating for vertical shafts and general non‑plenum pathways. Use a plenum‑rated alternative where local code requires it.

Integration scenarios across AV and building systems

• Architectural lighting: Tie DMX house lights and façade lighting into a central control processor or BMS. Where broader building control is needed, pair this DMX run with automation and lighting cable specified for contact closures, sensors, or relay logic.
• Entertainment rigs: Daisy chain or segment universes for stage fixtures, dimmer packs, and effects. Maintain 120‑ohm terminations at the end of each run to stabilize the network.
• Mixed AV environments: In racks and conduits shared with video and audio transport, this control line coexists with category cabling, fiber, and baseband media paths. Use it for control while reserving digital media cable wire or digital coax cable for video distribution, and digital antenna wire and cable for RF systems where required.
• Corporate and education: Integrate room controllers, lighting processors, and partitions to synchronize scenes with conferencing, projection, and motorized shades.

Design and installation notes

1. Plan DMX universe segmentation and maximum device counts; provide proper 120‑ohm termination at the end of each daisy chain.
2. Maintain separation from high‑voltage conductors and sources of interference; use shielded, balanced runs for reliability in electrical closets and catwalks.
3. Terminate to approved 3‑pin or 5‑pin XLR, or to screw‑terminal gateways and nodes per manufacturer specifications.
4. Select non‑plenum (CMR) cable for risers and general pathways; specify plenum cable where return‑air spaces or code dictate.

How this cable supports project outcomes

• Consistent performance: Balanced impedance and shielding minimize troubleshooting time and service calls.
• Faster deployment: Clear conductor identification helps crews terminate accurately across large projects with repeated fixture types and control nodes.
• Lifecycle value: Robust construction supports moves, adds, and changes as venues evolve, without re‑cabling control backbones.

Adjacent cabling in a complete AV infrastructure

• Use this 120‑ohm DMX/AES control cable for lighting and digital audio control paths.
• For video and RF paths, pair with the appropriate media types such as digital media cable wire, digital coax cable, or digital antenna wire and cable as the project scope requires.
• For building sensors, relays, and shade control, specify the correct automation and lighting cable alongside DMX runs to keep control architectures clean and serviceable.

Partner with Windy City Wire

We support consultants, electrical contractors, and AV integrators with product selection, takeoffs, and technical guidance for complex sites. If you are planning lighting control, show control, or mixed‑use AV environments, our team can help you specify the right pro av cable for each path and ensure code‑compliant, serviceable installations across your facility portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions: Lighting Control Cable AES DMX Non-Plenum

• What AWG conductors are available with this SmartWire Lighting Control Cable AES DMX Non-Plenum cable?
  24 AWG tinned copper, 1-pair, shielded construction optimized for 120-ohm AES/DMX lighting control.
• What other colors is this SmartWire Lighting Control Cable AES DMX Non-Plenum cable available in?
  The standard conductor color code is Black/Red with a black outer jacket. No other standard color options are offered in this category. For custom jacket and stripe colors, please contact Windy City Wire.
• Is this SmartWire Lighting Control Cable AES DMX Non-Plenum cable made with solid or stranded copper conductors?
  Stranded, tinned copper conductors for flexibility and durability in ProAV installations.
• What length is this SmartWire Lighting Control Cable AES DMX Non-Plenum cable sold in?
  1,000 ft. At Windy City Wire we manufacture and stock SmartWire Building Wire in 1,000 ft as our standard length.
• How is your SmartWire ProAV cable sold on spools or in boxes?
  SmartWire ProAV cable is packaged in our patented RackPack carton. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

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