DMX512, often abbreviated DMX (Digital Multiplex) is a communications protocol used mainly to control scene lighting [and] for control from computers or central units of complex lighting systems with moving or conventional lights.
Each DMX512 cable can transmit up to 512 8-bit values between 0 and 255, so that a cable can control up to 512 separate devices.
Since DMX only supports 512 channels, there may be situations where separate DMX universes are needed.
A DMX universe is a single line connecting the controller and all the devices associated with that cable.
Most recent DMX consoles support more than one DMX universe each of which must be wired independently.
A DMX cable is made up of at least three poles for the transmission of signals.