Martin VDO Atomic Dot User manual

VDO Atomic Dot
User Guide

Table of contents
Dimensions ...................................................................................................3
Safety information.........................................................................................7
Introduction .................................................................................................10
Before using the product for the first time..............................................10
Fixture overview..........................................................................................11
Junction box overview.................................................................................12
Physical installation.....................................................................................13
Fixture location ......................................................................................13
Ways of mounting the fixture .................................................................13
Mounting the fixture on a truss using the hanging bracket....................14
Mounting the fixture on a truss using direct clamp ................................15
Interlocking multiple fixtures ..................................................................15
Safety bonds..........................................................................................18
Mounting the junction box......................................................................18
AC power and data connection...................................................................19
Safety limits for connecting devices ......................................................19
AC power connection to Junction Box...................................................19
Data connection to Junction Box ...........................................................19
PDE connections between fixtures........................................................22
System Setup..............................................................................................23
Setting options by RDM .........................................................................23
Scanning for RDM devices on the data link...........................................23
Getting status and setting options by RDM ...........................................23
RDM.......................................................................................................24
Using the VDO Atomic Dot .........................................................................25
Thermal regulation.................................................................................25
Video display using P3 ..........................................................................25
DMX control ...........................................................................................25
Status LED.............................................................................................26
Pushbutton functions .............................................................................26
Maintenance ...............................................................................................27
Installing optical accessories .................................................................27
Cleaning.................................................................................................28
LED performance...................................................................................28
Installing new software ..........................................................................28
DMX protocol ..............................................................................................29
DMX mode 1 channel ............................................................................29
DMX mode 3 channel ............................................................................29
DMX mode 4 channel ............................................................................30
DMX mode Basic ...................................................................................30
DMX mode Extended.............................................................................34
FX Table ................................................................................................41
Troubleshooting ..........................................................................................44
Specifications..............................................................................................45

Dimensions
Fixture dimensions
175.2 146
241.6
All dimensions are given in millimeters.

Junction Box dimensions
129.1
50.5 106.5
All dimensions are given in millimeters.

Coupler (for interlocking two fixtures)
21
41
49
44
37
33
Half Coupler (for attaching to truss)
33
50.8
41
49
18
90
140
85
All dimensions are given in millimeters.

Interlock Adapter (for attaching to microphone stand)
41 33
28
18.5
15.0M8x1.25-6H 3/8-16UNC 15.0
7.5
49
48
23
Pivot coupler (for interlocking two fixtures at an angle)
44
90
187
53
41
4
© 2012-2019 HARMAN PROFESSIONAL DENMARK ApS. All rights reserved. Features, specifications and appearance
are subject to change without notice. HARMAN PROFESSIONAL DENMARK ApS and all affiliated companies disclaim
liability for any injury, damage, direct or indirect loss, consequential or economic loss or any other loss occasioned by the
use of, inability to use or reliance on the information contained in this document. Martin is a registered trademark of
HARMAN PROFESSIONAL DENMARK ApS registered in the United States and/or other countries.
HARMAN PROFESSIONAL DENMARK ApS • Olof Palmes Alle 44 • 8200 Aarhus N • Denmark
HARMAN PROFESSIONAL SOLUTIONS U.S. • 8500 Balboa Blvd. • Northridge • CA 91329 • USA
www.martin.com
VDO Atomic Dot User Guide Revision A
All dimensions are given in millimeters.

Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide 7
Safety information
WARNING!
Read the safety precautions in this manual before installing, operating or
servicing this product.
The following symbols are used to identify important safety information on the product and in this
manual:
Warning!
Safety
hazard. Risk
of severe
injury or
death.
Warning!
Powerful
light
emission.
Risk of eye
injury.
Warning!
See user
manual for
important
safety
information.
Warning!
Hazardous
voltage. Risk
of lethal or
severe
electric
shock.
Warning!
Fire hazard.
Warning!
Hot surfaces.
VDO Atomic Dot CLD only: Warning! Risk Group 2 product according to EN 62471
and IEC/TR 62778. Possibly hazardous radiation emitted from this product. May be
harmful to the eyes. Do not stare at operating lamp and do not view the light output
with optical instruments or any device that may concentrate the beam.
This lighting fixture is for professional use only and must be installed by a qualified
technician. It is not for household use. It presents risks of severe injury or death
due to fire hazards, electric shock and falls. It can create a fire hazard or a risk of
eye injury if the safety precautions below are not followed.
Install, operate and service Martin® products only as directed in their user
manuals, or you may create a safety hazard or cause damage that is not covered
by product warranties. Follow the safety precautions listed below and observe all
warnings in this manual and printed on the product. Keep this user manual for
future use.
For the latest user documentation and other information about this and all Martin®
products, please visit the Martin® website at http://www.martin.com
If you have any questions about how to install, operate or service the fixture safely,
please contact your Martin® distributor (see www.martin.com/distributors for
details) or in the USA on 1-844-776-4899.
Respect all locally applicable laws, codes and regulations when installing,
operating or servicing the fixture.
Protection from electric shock
Ensure that the fixture is electrically connected to ground (earth).
Disconnect the fixture from AC power when not in use.
Do not open the fixture or remove any cover. Refer any service operation not
described in this manual to an authorized Martin Service partner.
Shut down power to the entire installation at the main power distribution board and
lock out power before carrying out any installation or maintenance work.

8 Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide
Use only a source of AC power that complies with local building and electrical
codes and has both overload and ground-fault (earth-fault) protection.
Isolate the fixture from power immediately if any seal, cover, cable, or other
component is damaged, defective, deformed or showing signs of overheating. Do
not reapply power until repairs have been completed
Before using the fixture, check that all power distribution equipment and cables are
in perfect condition and are of suitable type for the location (including water,
pollution, temperature and UV resistance).
Do not immerse the fixture in water or any other fluid, or install it in a location
where flooding may occur.
The light source contained in this luminaire shall only be replaced by the
manufacturer or their service agent or a similar qualified person.
When connecting multiple fixtures in a daisy chain, observe the safety limits in
section “Safety limits for connecting devices” on page 19.
Protection from burns and fire
Do not operate the fixture if the ambient temperature (Ta) exceeds 40° C (104° F).
The surface of the fixture can reach up to 55° C (131° F) if the fixture is operated at
the maximum permitted ambient temperature. Allow the fixture to cool for at least 5
minutes before handling.
Install the fixture on a non-combustible surface (brick, concrete, plaster etc.) only.
Do not aim the fixture towards combustible materials (fabric, wood, paper etc.) that
are within 50 cm (19 in.) of the fixture.
Keep the fixture well away from flammable materials (volatile liquids etc.).
Ensure that there is free and unobstructed airflow around the fixture.
Allow at least 0.1 m (4 in.) free space around the fixture.
Do not attempt to bypass thermostatic switches or fuses.
Do not modify the fixture in any way not described in this manual or install other
than genuine Martin® parts. Do not stick filters, masks or other materials onto any
lens or other optical component. Use only accessories approved by Martin® to
modify the light beam.
Protection from eye injury
VDO Atomic Dot CLD only: Warning! Risk Group 2 product according to EN 62471
and IEC/TR 62778.
Do not look directly into the product’s light output.
Do not look at operating lamp. Eye injury may result.
Do not look at the light output with magnifiers, telescopes, binoculars or similar
optical instruments that may concentrate the light output.
Ensure that persons are not looking directly into the front of the fixture when the
product lights up suddenly. This can happen when power is applied, when the
product receives a DMX signal, or when certain control menu items are selected.
To minimize the risk of eye irritation or injury, disconnect the fixture from power at
all times when the fixture is not in use and provide well-lit conditions to reduce the
pupil diameter of anyone working on or near the fixture.
The VDO Atomic Dot CLD fixture fixtures fall into the following risk groups
according to EN 62471 and IEC/TR 62778 at the distances indicated below.

Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide 9
RISK GROUP
DO NOT
USE 2
RISK GROUP
1
1.0 m
0.2 m
(39.4 in.)
(7.9 in.)
9.6 m
(31.5 ft.)
RISK GROUP
EXEMPT
The luminaire should be positioned so that prolonged staring into the luminaire at a
distance closer than 1 m is not expected.
Protection from injury
Fasten the fixture securely to a fixed surface or structure when in use. The fixture
is not portable when installed.
Ensure that all supporting structures, surfaces, fasteners and lifting equipment can
bear the weight of all the devices they are intended to support plus an adequate
safety margin, and that they conform to local building and safety regulations.
Ensure that any accessory such as gel frames, gobo holders are securely
fastened.
Block access below the work area and work from a stable platform whenever
installing, setting, adjusting, or cleaning the fixture.
Do not operate the fixture with missing or damaged covers, shields or any optical
component.
If an operating problem occurs, stop using the fixture immediately and disconnect it
from power. Do not attempt to use a fixture that is obviously damaged.

10 Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide
Introduction
Thank you for selecting the Martin VDO Atomic Dot product. This versatile product can be used for
a wide variety of effects:
x Compact strobe fixture
x Compact blinder fixture
x Compact beam fixture
x Compact video pixel with 16 LEDs of individual control
The VDO Atomic Dot is available in two variants:
x A WRM variant featuring a primary white LED with a color temperature of 2700K
x A CLD variant featuring a primary white LED with a color temperature of 5700K
Both variants also contain 16 individually controllable RGB LEDs for additional Aura effects behind
the front-lens.
As the fixture is fully IP65-rated, it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Multiple VDO Atomic Dots can be combined together into battens and arrays to create large visual
effects, by using the integrated interconnecting mechanics.
The VDO Atomic Dot is compatible with a large variety of lighting and video control protocols,
allowing the fixture to be controlled in the most suitable way:
x DMX/RDM
x Art-Net
x sACN
x P3
Power and data is supplied to the fixture via a hybrid cable with hybrid connector that carries
power, DMX and Ethernet. This allows many fixtures to be daisy-chained very easily, without
requiring multiple cables between them.
The start of a daisy-chain is made at a Junction Box that takes standard Power, DMX and Ethernet
inputs and merges them into the PDE hybrid connector.
The front of the VDO Atomic Dot features an industry-standard PAR30-sized holder, allowing
installation of standard accessories such as diffusers, color filters and barndoors.
Before using the product for the first time
1. Read ‘Safety information’ on page 7 before installing, operating or servicing the fixture.
2. Unpack and ensure that there is no transportation damage before using the fixture. Do not
attempt to operate a damaged fixture.
3. Before operating, ensure that the voltage and frequency of the power supply match the power
requirements of the fixture.
4. Obtain a power cable fitted with Neutrik powerCON TRUE1 connector. Cables are available
from Martin (see Accessories list on page 45).
5. Check the support pages on the Martin® website at www.martin.com for the most recent user
documentation and technical information about the fixture. Martin® user manual revisions are
identified by the revision letter at the bottom of the inside cover.

Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide 11
Fixture overview
1
2
6
758
9
34
5
1 – Hanging bracket (can be taken off)
2 – PAR30 sized holder
3 – Status LED
4 – Test / Reset button
5 – Interlock slots for interlock accessories (4 slots, one on each side of fixture)
6 – Thru connector (chassis mount, with sealing cap)
7 – Safety cable attachment point
8 – Input cable with connector
9 – M8 holes for hanging bracket attachment, maximum bolt length 15 mm (4 holes, one on
each side of fixture). May also be used for mounting fixture if standard interlock accessories
are not suitable.

12 Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide
Junction box overview
5
3
4
1
2
Underside view
6
1 – Neutrik PowerCON TRUE1 input
2 – Hybrid PDE output connector
3 – Neutrik etherCON input
4 – Neutrik XLR5 DMX input
5 – Holes for mounting to wall / surface
6 – M10 hole for adding clamp (on underside of box)

Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide 13
Physical installation
Warning! Read ‘Safety information’ on page 7 before installing the fixture.
Warning! The safety and suitability of lifting equipment, installation location,
anchoring method, mounting hardware and electrical installation are the
responsibility of the installer. All local safety regulations and legal requirements must
be observed when installing and connecting the VDO Atomic Dot fixture and
Junction Box. Installation must be carried out by qualified professionals only.
Contact your Martin supplier for assistance if you have any questions about how to install this
product safely.
Fixture location
The VDO Atomic Dot fixture and Junction Box is fully IP65 rated and may be used indoors or in a
temporary outdoor location.
Observe the following limitations in selecting a location:
x Respect the limitations listed under Safety information’ on page 7.
x Do not locate the fixture in an unventilated space.
Ways of mounting the fixture
Warning! All fasteners used to mount VDO Atomic Dot fixtures or arrays of
fixtures must be strong enough to hold the fixtures safely. Install a washer directly
under the head of each fastener when anchoring the mounting bracket to the
installation surface.
The fixture has a number of mounting options:
x Via the hanging bracket to a truss or surface
x A VDO Atomic Dot Half Coupler may be attached directly to one of the interlock slots on
the fixture (without the hanging bracket)
x Multiple fixtures may be interlocked together using the slide-in Interlock Coupler. A
maximum of 16 fixtures may be interlocked in a column. When interlocking fixtures
horizontally, a rigging clamp must be used every 3rd fixture to support the array (so a
maximum of 2 unsupported fixtures between each supported one)
x A Pivot Interlock Coupler is available which couples fixtures at any multiple of 15 degrees.
This allows circles or other shapes of fixtures to be created.
x An Interlock Adaptor is available which attaches to one of the interlock slots enabling you
to mount a single VDO Atomic Dot on a microphone stand with standard 5/8 in. thread.
x Safety bonds must be fitted to each fixture, even when fixtures are interlocked, using the
safety bond attachment point on the rear.

14 Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide
Mounting the fixture on a truss using the hanging bracket
The fixture or array of fixtures can be clamped to a truss or similar rigging structure using the
hanging bracket which allows adjustment of the fixture angle. Use a suitable rigging clamps such
as a G-clamp or a half-coupler clamp fastened to the hanging bracket.
To clamp the fixture to a truss:
1. Check that the rigging structure can support at least 10 times the weight of all fixtures and
equipment to be installed on it.
2. Block access under the work area.
3. Bolt a rigging clamp securely to the hanging bracket. The bolts used must be M12, grade 8.8
steel minimum, and fastened with a self-locking nut.
4. Working from a stable platform, mount the fixture on the truss and fasten the rigging clamp
onto the truss.
5. Attach a safety bond to the fixture and loop around a fixed point.

Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide 15
Mounting the fixture on a truss using direct clamp
The VDO Atomic Dot Half Coupler may be directly mounted to the fixture or array of fixtures using
one of the interlock slots on any side.
To rig using a directly attached clamp:
1. Check that the rigging structure can support at least 10 times the weight of all fixtures and
equipment to be installed on it.
2. Block access under the work area.
3. Slide VDO Atomic Dot Half Couplers into the fixture interlock slot on one or more fixtures as
required.
4. Working from a stable platform, lift the fixture(s) to the truss and fasten the half coupler clamp
onto the truss.
5. Attach a safety bond to the fixture and loop around a fixed point. Each fixture must have an
individual safety bond even when interlocked into an array.
Interlocking multiple fixtures
Multiple fixtures may be interlocked on any side using the slide-in interlock coupler to form arrays
of any shape.

16 Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide
To install the Interlock Coupler, locate two
fixtures side by side and slide in the coupler
(1) from the rear. The coupler has two
retention clips which lock into each fixture.
Ensure the release key (2) is oriented as
shown so that the clips are secured in place.
Note:
x A maximum of 16 fixtures may be
interlocked in a column.
x When interlocking fixtures
horizontally, a rigging clamp must be
used every 3rd fixture to support the
array (so a maximum of 2
unsupported fixtures between each
supported one)
When fixtures are interlocked, the spacing is 150mm.
150
150
1
2

Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide 17
To remove the coupler, twist the release key to retract the clips. The coupler can then be slid out
towards the rear of the fixtures.
The Pivot Coupler, Half Coupler and Interlock Adapter use the same locking mechanism.

18 Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide
Safety bonds
To protect against the fixtures falling if the main
rigging point fails, you should fit a safety bond to
the attachment point on the back of each fixture.
If fixtures are linked together into a larger array,
you should still attach a safety bond to each fixture
since a failure of a coupler could cause parts of the
assembly to fall. However to make rigging easier
you can attach the top one round a fixed point,
then loop the lower safety bonds into each other as
shown in the picture.
Mounting the junction box
The junction box may be mounted directly to a surface using the holes provided on the side
flanges, or a rigging clamp (such as the Super Lightweight Half Coupler Rigging Clamp black: P/N
91602018, listed in the accessories) may be attached to the rear side using an M10 bolt.

Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide 19
AC power and data connection
Warning! Read ‘Safety information’ on page 7 before installing the fixture.
For protection from electric shock, the power input to the Junction Box must be
grounded (earthed). The power distribution circuit must be equipped with a fuse or
circuit breaker and ground-fault (earth-fault) protection.
AC power and control data are connected to the Junction Box. Up to 32 VDO Atomic Dot fixtures
may then be connected in a daisy chain to each junction box using a hybrid PDE cable which
carries both power and data.
Safety limits for connecting devices
As the fixtures are connected in a chain, there is a limit to how many fixtures you can link together
and how far apart they can be.
x Maximum of 32 fixtures connected in a chain.
x Total maximum length of PDE cable between the Junction Box and the last fixture is
dependent on the protocol being used – 300m for DMX-512 and 90m for Art-Net, sACN or
P3.
x Install the sealing cap on the thru connector of the last fixture in the chain.
AC power connection to Junction Box
Do not use an external dimming system to supply power to the Junction Box and fixtures, as this
may cause damage to the fixtures that is not covered by the product warranty.
Socket outlets or external power switches used to supply the system with power must be located
near the system and easily accessible so that the system can easily be disconnected from power.
If you install a power plug on the power cable, install a grounding type (earthed) plug with integral
cable grip that is suitable for your local mains voltage at a current of 16A. Follow the plug
manufacturer’s instructions and connect the wires in the power cable as shown in this table:
Live or L Neutral or N Earth, Ground or
US system Black White Green
EU system Brown Blue Yellow/green
The fixture has an auto-ranging power supply that accepts AC mains power at 100-240 V at 50/60
Hz. Do not apply AC mains power at any other voltage or frequency to the fixture.
Data connection to Junction Box
The VDO Atomic Dot fixtures may be controlled by DMX512, Art-Net, sACN, or Martin P3 protocol.
The data connection is made to the junction box and then linked to the fixtures via the PDE
connections.

20 Martin VDO Atomic Dot user guide
Using DMX512
In a DMX-controlled system, an RDM-compliant DMX lighting controller sends a DMX control data
signal over a DMX link to the junction boxes of the system, and then over the hybrid link to the
VDO Atomic Dot fixtures.
A DMX pass – through connector is not provided. If you need to connect multiple Junction Boxes
to the same DMX line, you must use an RDM-compliant splitter as described below.
The DMX link requires DMX cable. It can be maximum 300 m (1000 ft.) in length and must run in
one single daisy-chain, but it can be extended or split into branches using an RDM-compliant
amplifier/splitter such as the Martin® RDM 5.5 Splitter (P/N 90758150). Alternatively, you can run
the DMX signal from the controller over Ethernet cable using Art-Net protocol and convert it to a
DMX-compliant signal with an Art-Net to DMX converter.
The total length of DMX cable and Hybrid PDE cable combined must not exceed 300 m (measured
between lighting console, DMX node or DMX splitter and last fixture on the chain).
If you would like assistance with creating a DMX link, your Martin® supplier will be glad to advise.
The number of VDO Atomic Dots that you can control on one DMX link is limited by the number of
DMX channels the dots will use and the 512 DMX channels available in one DMX universe at the
DMX controller. Each time you have used 512 channels, you must create a new DMX link that is
connected to a new DMX universe on the controller. Note that this limit applies to the DMX link.
The maximum safety limits that apply to the chain of dots and cable (see “Safety limits for
connecting devices” on page 19) take priority and must be respected in all cases.
DMX512 data is connected to the junction box using the XLR5 connector. The pin-out is:
x pin 1 = shield
x pin 2 = cold (-)
x pin 3 = hot (+).
Pins 4 and 5 in the XLR connectors are not used.