PD Connex CX188 RJ45 to 5-Pin XLR DMX Stage Box Converter – Female

DMX Splitter Box for Compact Stage and Lighting Wiring

If you need to send multiple 5-pin XLR lines over a single cable route, the PD Connex CX188 is a sensible piece of kit. This stage box takes four separate XLR feeds and carries them through one RJ45 connection using the twisted-pair layout inside the cable. I’s particularly useful in lighting setups where space is tight and long runs are common. Important point: the signal is not split or converted. Each channel remains its own path, just carried more neatly.

Key Features and Benefits

Four channels carried through one network cable

The main benefit here is cable reduction. Four individual 5-pin XLR lines can be routed through a single RJ45-linked run, which helps keep stage layouts cleaner and easier to trace. For crews working under time pressure, fewer separate runs can mean a tidier setup and less confusion during pack-down. It gives the convenience of a compact DMX snake without changing the actual signal type.

Suitable for mixed signal environments

The CX188 can carry analogue, DMX and AES/EBU signals, so it’s not limited to one specific type of technical workflow. That broader compatibility makes it useful in venues and production spaces where systems overlap. Rather than carrying different adapters for different tasks, users can keep one compact lighting accessory ready for several jobs.

Built around familiar 5 Pin XLR DMX Cable use

Because it uses four female 5-pin XLR sockets, this stage box fits naturally into standard DMX systems. There’s no unusual connector format to work around. Numbered outputs also help keep patching organised, which is especially useful when tracing fixtures or testing individual lines. It’s a small but valuable detail during setup.

Long-distance routing with CAT cable support

Using CAT5, CAT6 or CAT7 cable, the box can be used for runs up to 100 metres. That makes it very practical for larger stage layouts, installed lighting systems and control positions located away from the rig. Compared with multiple loose XLR runs, one structured cable route is often easier to protect, secure and manage.

Compact housing with installation-friendly mounting

The aluminium enclosure keeps the unit suitable for regular technical use, while the M10 internal thread adds mounting flexibility. It can be attached to truss or other rigging hardware using a suitable clamp or adapter. In a working setup based around DMX cable management, that helps keep connection points where they’re actually needed rather than left trailing on the floor.

Applications

The CX188 is aimed at lighting technicians, production crews, venue installers and studio users who need cleaner routing for multiple XLR lines. It works well in live shows, touring rigs, theatres, houses of worship and fixed event spaces. It’s especially useful when four lines need to follow the same route over distance, such as between a control area and stage box position. It also suits anyone looking for a practical alternative to running several loose cables across the same path.

Summary

The PD Connex CX188 is a compact converter that carries four separate 5-pin XLR signals over one RJ45 cable run. It is not a signal-copying DMX splitter; instead, it uses the four twisted pairs inside the cable to transport four independent channels without digital conversion. With support for CAT5/CAT6/CAT7 cabling, numbered outputs, female XLR connectors and an M10 mounting point, it’s a tidy and technically sound option for longer cable runs in lighting and signal setups.