LightingGLOSSARY

RDM — Remote Device Management

01 — Definition

The bidirectional extension to DMX512 (the E1.20 standard) that lets controllers talk to fixtures — enough to discover addresses automatically, report status (lamp hours, temperature, errors) and set parameters remotely. It needs an RDM-capable controller and fixtures; standard DMX cables are fine, but splitters have to be RDM-transparent.

02 — In the field

RDM can save you hours of manual addressing at the build. But not every splitter passes bidirectional RDM traffic: check the specs before you bet on it crossing your distribution.