Maintenance Handbook On Public Address System

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Hkkjr ljdkj &GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

jsy ea=ky;& MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS


dk;kZy;hu iz;ksx gsrq& (For official use only)

MAINTENANCE HANDBOOK
ON

PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM

CAMTECH/S/PROJ/1213/HBPA/1.0
December2012

MAHARAJPUR, GWALIOR 474 005

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CONTENTS
Sr. No.

Description

Page No.

1.

Introduction

2.

Acoustic

3.

Microphones

4.

Loudspeaker

16

5.

Amplifier

24

6.

Audio Mixer Pre-Amplifier

37

7.

Coference System

40

8.

Maintenance

47

9.

Wiring and Cabling

49

10.

Earthing and other Safety Precautions

51

11.

PA System at Railway Stations

53

12.

Fault Finding

55

13.

Precautions

58

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ISSUE OF CORRECTION SLIPS


The correction slips to be issued in future for this handbook will be numbered
as follows:
CAMTECH/S/PROJ/2012-13/HB-PA/1.0/C.S.# XX date-------------------------------Where XX is the serial number of the concerned correction slip
(starting from 01 onwards)

CORRECTION SLIPS ISSUED


Sr. No. of
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Remarks

CAMTECH/S/PROJ/1213/HBPA/1.0

PUBLICADDRESSSYSTEM

1.

Introduction
Public Address System(PA system) is an electronic sound amplificationand
distribution system with amicrophone, amplifierand loudspeakers, used to allow a
person to address a large public, for example for announcements ofmovements at
largeandnoisyairandrailterminals.

The simplest PA system consist of a microphone, an amplifier, and one or more


loudspeakersisshowninfig1.Asoundsourcesuchascompactdiscplayerorradio
maybeconnectedtoaPAsystemsothatmusiccanbeplayedthroughthesystem.

FigNo.1:SimplePASystem

The process begins with a sound source (such as a human voice), which creates
waves of sound (acoustical energy). These waves are detected by a microphone,
whichconvertsthemtoelectricalenergy.Thissignalisamplifiedinanamplifierupto
a required level. The loudspeaker converts the electrical signal back into sound
waves,whichareheardbyhumanears.

A block diagram of PA system containing microphone, mixer, limiter, equalizer,


amplifierandspeakerisshownbelowinfigureNo.2:

FigNo.2BlockDiagramofPAsystem
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1.1

ApplicationofP.A.systeminRailways
PassengerAmenity

Forgivingthedetailedinformationaboutthetrainarrivals,departures,laterunning
ifany,andlocationoftrainsandanyotherimportantinformationrelatedtoRailway
users.

MarshallingYards

For communication between Yard Master and Shunting men through paging and
talkbacksystemregardingformationandreceptionordispatchoftrains.

BreakdowntrainEmergencyEquipment

TheP.A.SysteminAccidentReliefTrainmustbekeptinworkingconditionforguide
thepassengersandstaffinrescueoperationsatthesiteofaccident.

Specialfunctions

LocalMinister,G.M.,etc.,officialsandVIPsmayaddresssomeimportantfunctions
such as Railway Week, felicitations, Scouts and Guides rally, some social work
meetings,culturalprogrammesetc.aqualityP.A.Systemneedstobeinstalled.

RailwayWorkshops

Providing announcements to workshops staff when required and also for


entertainmentmusicduringlunchhours.

Conferences

For conducting seminars, special lectures, administrative meetings for a limited


group of officials in conference halls. In every zone, a G.M. Conference hall is
available.Inthesesuitableconferencesystemswerepermanentlyinstalled.

2.

Acoustic
Acoustics is defined as the "Scientific Study of Sound, especially of its generation,
propagation, perception and interaction with materials and is further described as
the"totaleffectofsoundespeciallyasproducedinanenclosedspace.

2.1

Intensity
This relates to amplitude of acoustic force. It is expressed in watts per square
centimeter.Theacousticpowerisinverselyproportionaltothereverberationperiod
foragivenintensitylevel.

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2.2

Sensitivity
A speakers sensitivity is the onaxis loudness (dB SPL) measured at a specific
distancethatresultsfromapplyingaspecificamountofpower(1Watt@1meter).
The output level of the speaker at different power levels and distances can be
calculated from this figure. For example: If a speakers sensitivity is rated at 96 dB
SPLwitha1Winputmeasuredat1mtfromthespeaker,thendoublingthepower
to2Wraisestheoutput3dBto99dBSPLat1mt.Doublingthepoweragainto4W
produces102dBSPL

2.3

SoundPressureLevel
Sound Pressure Level (SPL) is the acoustic pressure reference for the dB. The
minimumthresholdofundamagedhumanhearingisconsideredtobe0dBSPL.The
thresholdofpainforundamagedhumanhearingis120dBSPL.

2.4

Loudness
Itistheintensityofthesoundstimulusasperceivedbythehumanearandchieflya
functionofsoundpressure.However,itisalsodependentuponthefrequencyand
thecomplexityofthewaveform.Theextrahighfrequencycontentmakesthesound
seemlouder.Ourearsdonothearallfrequenciesequally.Theyaremostsensitiveat
around 34 kHz, and much less sensitive at the extremes of frequency. Effectively,
ears will turn down the volume and mute the damaging highest frequencies if the
concertistooloud.However,anysoundsystemcandamagehearingifyougetyour
earscloseenoughanddriveithardenoughforlongenough.

2.5

AttenuationoverDistance(InverseSquareLaw)
Theinversesquarelawdescribeshowsoundattenuatesoverdistance.Itstatesthat
volume (SPL) decreases 6 dB each time the distance from the sound source is
doubled.Thisisduetothediffusionofsoundradiatingfromthesoundsourceovera
spherical area. As the radius of a sphere is doubled, its surface area quadruples,
effectivelydividingtheacousticalpowerbyfour.

2.6

Frequency:
Frequencyisthenumberof"CyclesperSecond"andisexpressedas"Hz".

2.7

Decibel(dB)
The decibel(dB) is a logarithmic unit that indicates theratio of a physical quantity
(usuallypowerorintensity)relativetoaspecifiedreferencelevel.Aratioindecibels
istentimesthelogarithmtobase10oftheratiooftwopowerquantities.

Thedecibelisusedforawidevarietyofmeasurementsinscienceandengineering,
most prominently in acoustics, electronics, and control theory. In electronics, the

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gains of amplifiers, attenuation of signals, and signaltonoise ratios are often


expressed in decibels. The decibel confers a number of advantages, such as the
abilitytoconvenientlyrepresentverylargeorsmallnumbers,andtheabilitytocarry
outmultiplicationofratiosbysimpleadditionandsubtraction.

Achangeinpowerratiobyafactorof10isa10dBchange.Achangeinpowerratio
byafactoroftwoisapproximatelya3dBchange.

For instance, suppose we have two loudspeakers, the first playing a sound with
powerP1,andanotherplayingalouderversionofthesamesoundwithpowerP2.
Thedifferenceindecibelsbetween thetwoisdefinedtobe10 log10(P2/P1)dB. If
thesecondproducestwiceasmuchpowerthanthefirst,thedifferenceindB=10
log10(P2/P1)=10log102=3dB.

Ifthesecondhad10timesthepowerofthefirst,thedifferenceindBwouldbe
10log10(P2/P1)=10log1010=10dB.

Ifthesecondhadamilliontimesthepowerofthefirst,thedifferenceindBwouldbe
10log10(P2/P1)=10log101,000,000=60dB.

This example shows one feature of decibel scales that they can describe very big
ratios usingnumbersof modestsize. But notethatthedecibeldescribesa ratioof
powers.

Responseofhumanearisalsologarithmici.e.ifthesoundlevelisincreasedby10
timesitfeelsonetimeandifpowerincreased100&1000timesitfeelstwo&three
times respectively. It is very difficult to draw a graphic presentation of this ratio.
Thereforebytakingthelogarithmof10,100,1000etcwewillhavesmallerfiguresas
below:

Log10(10)=1;Log10(10)2=2;

Log10(10)3=3;

Log10(10)4=4

dBm

ItisunderstoodthatdBisaunitofpowerratiosbutnotofpower.Itcanbeapplied
forpoweralsobyprovidingareferencelevel.Thispowerleveliswidelytakenasone
milliwatt across 600 ohm resistance. This one milli watt is also called Zero Power
Level.SoapowerofXmilliwattw.r.t.1milliwattcanbeexpressedasdBm. ordBm
=Log10(X/1).Sowhenareferenceof1mWacross600ohmistakenitiscalleddBm.

ZeroVoltageLevel

It is a voltage applied across a 600 ohm resistance which dissipates one milli watt
power(ZeroPower).Since P=V2/R,so V=RootofPXR=Rootof1x103 x600=
0.775voltsor775mV

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ZeroCurrentLevel

Itisequaltocurrentflowingina600ohmresistancewhichdissipatesonemilliwatt
power(Zeropower).SinceI2R= P, orI= Root ofP/R= Root of1x103/600=1.291
mA.

2.8

Masking
Itreferstoonesoundbeingobscuredbyanothersoitisindistinguishablefromthe
first sound. It is one of the main obstacles to speech intelligibility. Typical sound
systemsincludeanumberofpotentialsourcesofmaskingeffects.Backgroundnoise
isthemostobvious.Soundsystemsnormaloperatinglevelshouldbeatleast1525
dBabovethebackgroundnoiselevel.Highdistortionlevelinamplifiers,speakers,or
othersoundsystemcomponents,isanotherpossiblesourceofmasking.

2.9

Reverberation
Reverberation is another common source of maskingrelated intelligibility loss.
Significant reverberation occurs in a large room (i.e., church, gymnasium, or
auditorium) where repeated reflections merge into a seemingly continuous sound
withagradualrateofdecay.Manyinstalledsoundsystemsareusedinspaceswhere
thereislittleornosignificantreverberation.

2.10 Equalization

Itistheprocessbywhichtheamplitudeofdiscretefrequencyrangesisadjusted.In
distributed systems, EQ is most often used to compensate for speaker and room
characteristics but can also be used for aesthetic enhancement. Many applications
do not require equalization. The benefits of using equalization include improved
speech intelligibility, enhanced sound quality due to a better spectral balance, and
increasedgainwithoutfeedback.

2.11 Impedance

Theunitofimpedanceis,anditsabbreviationisZ.Whenanelectriccurrentruns
throughacoil,resistanceoccursthatpreventstheflowoftheelectriccurrent.The
value of resistance when an alternating electric current runs is called impedance,
whereZ=.Thereisverythincoilwrappedaroundthemagnetinsideofaspeaker.
Theimpedancevalueofthisspeakercoilisdesignedeitherat4,8,or16.The
impedancevalueoftheoutputconnectorofanamplifierisalsodesignedat4,8,
and/or16.

2.12 Impedancematching

Interfacing between the amplifier and speakers is commonly done in one of two
ways.Smallsystemswithoneortwospeakerswilltypicallyuseadirectconnection

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between the speakers and the amplifier. This is sometimes called low impedance
operation,becausetheloadimpedancerangesfrom4to16nominal.

Systemswithmorethan2speakersusuallyusetransformersattheamplifierandat
each speaker to simplify impedance matching and reduce line loss. These systems
arecommonlycalleddistributedlinesystems,100voltsystems,orconstantvoltage
systems.Inbothcases,speakersshouldbewiredinparallel(plustoplusandminus
tominus).

These systems work by including transformers at the input to each speaker and
directly after the amplifier output. The transformers are used to convert the
impedance of each speaker to a higher value, and to convert the amplifier output
impedancetoacorrespondinglyhighvalue.

High impedance (100 volt and 70 volt) systems have three major advantages over
lowimpedancesystems:

1) Systemimpedancematchingismademucheasier.Itissimplyamatterofaddingup
speakerpowertapsandselectinganamplifierratedforatleastthatmuchpower.
2) Line loss is greatly reduced, especially over long cable runs, resulting in better
performanceandreducedcostcomparedtolonglowimpedancelines.
3) The amplifier output is electrically isolated from the speaker line by the output
transformer, protecting the output stage against a grounded line and thus
eliminatingapotentialsourceofsystemfailure.

FigNo.3:HighImpedanceMatching

Impedance matching is necessary to get optimum volume, avoid wasting power,


avoidexcessstress&preventdamagetoamplifier&speakers,reducedistortionand
noise&avoidunevensounddistribution.

2.13 BalancedLine

A balanced line is simply one that has three conductors wired separately. Two of
these are signal wires which are wired out of phase with each other and the third

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one is ground (usually this is the shield). The big advantage of a balanced cable is
thatitisdesignedtocancelmanytypesofnoise.

2.14 Feedback

FeedbackistheloudsquealthatisoftenheardinaP.A.systemwhenamicrophone
is pointed too close to a speaker cabinet or the volume gets too loud. A squeal
lastinglessthanasecondisgenerallyharmless.However,keepfeedingbackforvery
long duration tweeters and/or horns will get so hot that their coils burn and they
stopworking.

2.15 Dropping

MostP.A.speakerscantakeadegreeofroughhandling.However,ifacabinettakes
a hard enough impact, it is possible that internal parts of the speaker can shift.
Speakers have heavy magnets hanging off the back of them and momentum on a
hard enough drop will cause the magnet to shift. Remember, the way a speaker
createssoundisbyvibratinghundredsandeventhousandsoftimespersecondit
doesnttakemuchofashifttothrowthealignmentofthevariouspartsofaspeaker
out enough that they will rub. When a moving part on a speaker rubs, the part
receivingthefrictioneventuallyrubsthroughandcausesthespeakertofail.Usually
itisthewireinthecoilthatisrubbinganditeventuallyrubssothinthatitbreaksor
shorts,therebycausingthespeakertostopmoving.

2.16 BadCables

Besidesalloftheothernastythingswehavediscussedaboutusingimpropercables,
anotherproblemtheycancauseisoscillations.OscillationscanoccurinaP.A.system
whenthegroundhascomeoffinacable.Everythingmayseemtobeworkingalright
butamissinggroundcancauseahighfrequency(highpitched)soundthatissohigh
that you cannot hear it, but it is, nonetheless, causing the tweeter to burn out. A
highqualitycableismuchlesslikelytohaveabadgroundconnectionthanalower
qualityoneandoneblowntweetercanpayforasignificantnumberofgoodcables.

3.0 Microphones

3.1 GeneralRequirements(Para3.1isaextractofTelecomManualChapter20)

3.1.1 Useofmicrophones

(a) Moving Coil Microphone Theseare commonly used and have robustconstruction.
Normally low impedance microphones are used as these permit the use of long
microphone lines. These should have unidirectional characteristics which help in
reducingacousticfeedback/howlingspeciallyinindoorsoundsystem.
(b) CondenserMicrophoneDuetosmallersizecondensermicrophonesarecommonly
used for lavallier application either as Tie Pin Type or as Neck Type. These

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microphones require 1.5 V battery to power electret condenser cartridge. These


microphoneshavehighersensitivitycomparedtomovingcoilmicrophones.

3.1.2 Sensitivity

Sensitivity of the microphone shall be of the order of 55dB relative to 0.0002


dyne/cmforanimpedanceof50ohms.

3.1.3 Frequencyresponse

The microphone chosen should have uniform frequency response within 3.0 dB
from100to10000Hz.

3.1.4 Connectingmicrophones

(a) Use of more than one microphone may be essential in large stages. In such cases,
output from several microphones should be mixed in a mixing system and the
commonoutputfedtotheamplifier,wheretheamplifieritselfiscapableofmixing
individualmicrophoneinputs,separatemixingsystemisnotrequired.
(b) Themicrophoneplugsandsocketsshouldbeofmulticontact(threeormore)type
andfreelyinterchangeable.

3.1.5 Sittingofmicrophoneandloudspeaker

(a) Sound distributionsystem,especiallyinaclosed hall,hastheriskofacousticfeed


backfromtheloudspeakertothemicrophonecausingsinging.Sitingofmicrophones
and loudspeakers should be such that there is good pickup of speaker's voice
withoutabnormalriseinbassandgooddistributionwithuniformcoveragewithout
acousticfeedback.Themicrophoneshouldbesitednormallyinanacousticshadow.
(b) It is also desirable to create the illusion that sound is being heard directly. There
should not be cases of sound from the loudspeaker, or reflected sound from the
walls,reachingtheaudienceafterthesoundfromthespeakerhasreacheddirectly.
(c) Microphone should be, as far as possible, behind the loudspeaker in order to
minimize the acoustic feed back. The correct distance between microphone and
sourceshouldbepredeterminedandarrangedtobeconstantasfaraspossible.Itis
importanttoseethatifthelevelofreverberantsoundorthesurroundingnoisenear
the microphone is high, the distance between microphone and source shall be
reduced.Thesoundsourceshouldbedirectlytowardsthemicrophone,asotherwise
thehighnotes,whicharehighlydirectional,wouldnotbesatisfactorilypickedupby
the microphone and thereby the clarity of the speech sound reproduced by the
systemwillbepoor.
(d) In 25 KV AC electrified area, the microphone siting should aim at avoiding the
electrostatic or electromagnetic induction either in the equipment or in the lead
fromthemicrophonetotheamplifier.

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3.1.6 WindShields

Microphones, when used outdoors, may have to be fitted with some means of
protectionagainstwind. However,itis desirablethatperformanceof microphones
shouldnotbeadverselyaffectedbysuchwindshield.

3.2 Definition

Amicrophoneisanexampleofatransducer,adevicethatchangesinformationfrom
one form to another. Sound information exists as patterns of air pressure; the
microphonechangesthisinformationintopatternsofelectriccurrent.

3.3. Typesofmicrophones

3.3.1 CarbonMicrophone

The carbon microphone is consisting of two metal plates separated by granules of


carbon.Oneplatefacesoutwardandactsasadiaphragm.Whensoundwavesstrike
thisplate,thepressureonthegranuleschanges,whichinturnchangestheelectrical
resistance between the plates. (Higher pressure lowers the resistance as the
granules are pushed closer together.) The change in contact resistance causes a
currentfromabatteryconnectedinserieswiththecarbonbuttonandtheprimary
ofatransformertovaryinamplitude,resultinginacurrentwaveformsimilartothe
acoustic waveform striking the diaphragm. One of the main disadvantages of the
carbon microphone is that it has continuous high frequency hiss caused by the
changingcontactresistancebetweenthecarbongranules.

FigNo.4:CarbonMicrophone

3.3.2. CrystalMicrophone

Crystalswhichdemonstratethepiezoelectriceffectproducevoltageswhentheyare
deformed.Thecrystalmicrophoneusesathinstripofpiezoelectricmaterialattached
to a diaphragm. The two sides of the crystal acquire opposite charges when the
crystalisdeflectedbythediaphragm.Thechargesareproportionaltotheamountof
deformation and disappear when the stress on the crystaldisappears. Early crystal
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10

microphones used Rochelle salt because of its high output, but it was sensitive to
moisture and somewhat fragile. Later microphones used ceramic materialssuchas
barium titanate and lead zirconate. The electric output of crystal microphones is
comparatively large, but the frequency response is not comparable to a good
dynamicmicrophone,sotheyarenotseriouscontendersforthemusicmarket.

FigNo.5:CrystalMicrophone

3.3.3 DynamicMicrophone

Dynamic microphones are versatile and ideal for generalpurpose use. They use a
simpledesignwithfewmovingparts.Whenamagnetismovednearacoilofwirean
electrical current is generated in the wire. Using this electromagnet principle, the
dynamicmicrophoneusesawirecoilandmagnettocreatetheaudiosignal.

Thediaphragmisattachedtothecoil.Whenthediaphragmvibratesinresponseto
incoming sound waves, the coil moves backwards and forwards past the magnet.
This creates a current in the coil which is channeled from the microphone along
wires.Acommonconfigurationisshownbelow.

Fig.No.6:PartofDynamicmicrophone.

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3.3.4 CondenserMicrophone:

A capacitor has two plates with a voltage between them. In the condenser
microphone, one of these plates is made of very light material and acts as the
diaphragm. The diaphragm vibrates when struck by sound waves, changing the
distance between the two plates and therefore changing the capacitance.
Specifically,whentheplatesareclosertogether,capacitanceincreasesandacharge
current occurs. When the plates are further apart, capacitance decreases and a
dischargecurrentoccurs.

The resulting audio signal is stronger signal than that from a dynamic. Condensers
also tend to be more sensitive and responsive than dynamics, making them well
suited to capturing subtle nuances in a sound. They are not ideal for highvolume
work,as theirsensitivitymakesthempronetodistort.Therequired voltageacross
the capacitor is supplied either by a battery in the microphone or by external
phantompower.

Fig.No.7:CrossSectionofaTypicalCondenserMicrophone

3.3.5 RibbonMicrophone

Aribbon(velocity)microphoneisatypeofmicrophonethatusesathinaluminum,
duraluminumornanofilmribbonplacedbetweenthepolesofamagnettogenerate
voltagesbyelectromagneticinduction.Pressurewavescausetheribbontovibratein
the magnetic field generating voltage corresponding to the particle velocity of the
pressurewave.

Ribbonmicrophonesaretypicallybidirectional,meaningtheypickupsoundsequally
wellfromeithersideofthemicrophone.Designedtohaveawidefrequencyrange,
good sensitivity, low distortion, and low internal noise. These are not used in
Railways because they are very costly and careful handling is required. It is best
suitedforrecordingmusicandbroadcastapplications.Ribbonmicrophoneisshown
infigureNo.8.

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Fig.No.8:Ribbonmicrophone

3.3.6 WirelessorCordlessMicrophone

A wireless microphone is a microphone without a physical cable connecting it


directlytothesoundrecordingoramplifyingequipmentwithwhichitisassociated.
It has a small, batterypowered radio transmitter in the microphone body, which
transmitstheaudiosignalfromthemicrophonebyradiowavestoanearbyreceiver
unit, which recovers the audio. The other audio equipment is connected to the
receiverunitby cable.Wirelessmicrophonesarewidelyusedintheentertainment
industry, television broadcasting, and public speaking to allow public speakers,
interviewers, performers, and entertainers to move about freely while using a
microphonetoamplifytheirvoices.TheseareHandheldandcollartypeasshownin
figure9.

Advantages

Greaterfreedomofmovementfortheartistorspeaker.
Avoidanceofcablingstressingproblemscommonwithwiredmicrophones.
Reductionofcable"triphazards"intheperformancespace

Disadvantages

Some wireless systems have a shorter range, while more expensive models
canexceedthatdistance.
Possible interference with or, more often, from other radio equipment or
otherradiomicrophones.
Operationtimeislimitedrelativetobatterylife.

FigNo.9WirelessMicrophone

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3.4 Specificationsofmicrophones.

3.4.1 Type:

ThisspecifiesthemicrophonewhetheritisaDynamic,Ribbon,CapacitororCrystal
andalsospecifieswhetheritisaPressuregradientorPressureOperated.

3.4.2 Sensitivity:

Itistheamountofvoltagedevelopedorgeneratedbythemicrophoneforanapplied
sound pressure at a test frequency of 1000 Hz. It is generally specified as
mV/Microbar. Onemicrobar sound pressure is equal to 1 dyne/cm2. It is also
specifiedasmV/PawherePaisPascal,whichisequalto10microbars.

3.4.3 FrequencyResponse:

It is the ability of a microphone to produce a proportionate output to the sound


pressure applied for the specified range of frequencies. The frequency response is
distortedwhenthemicrophoneiskepttooclosetothemouth.Itgeneratesspherical
sound waves with very high impact pressure when the distance from the mouth
increases the spherical sound waves flatten and become plane waves. So the
distortiondiminisheswithdistance.

3.4.4 MaximumSoundPressureLevel:

ItisthemaximumSoundPressurelevelthatcanproduceaproportionaloutputwith
atotalharmonicdistortionlimitedto1%.

3.4.5 Impedance:

Itistheimpedanceofferedbythemicrophoneat1000c/s.Therearelowimpedance
andhighimpedancemicrophones.LowImpedancemeanslessthan600ohmsHigh
Impedancemeansmorethan10Kohms.

3.4.6 MinimumLoadImpedance:

It is the minimum input impedance of the amplifier, which is used to utilize the
microphone. The amplifier input impedance should not be less than the minimum
loadimpedanceofthemicrophonespecified.

3.4.7 CablesandConnectors:

Itspecifiesthetypeandlengthofthecablewithaparticularconnector.

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3.4.8 FronttoBackRatio:

Itisspecifiedinthecaseofunidirectionalmicrophone,whichgivestheresponseof
frontsoundandbacksound.Generallyitis20db.

3.4.9 Polarresponse:

Itspecifiesthetypeofdirectivitypatternthatmicrophonerespondsitisagraphof
themicrophonesdirectionalsensitivity.Itspecifieswhetheritisanomnidirectional,
BidirectionalorUnidirectional.

3.5 InstallationPractice:

Someoftheimportantprecautionstobeobservedintheoperationofmicrophones
aregivenbelow:

Allmicrophonesaredelicateinstruments;theymustbecarefullyhandledandnever
dropped,norplacedwheretheremaybemetaldust.

Toavoidhumpickupandespeciallyincaseofhighimpedancemicrophones,locate
as faraspossiblefromelectricalapparatus.Donot runmicrophoneleadstogether
withmainscable.

Forpublicaddresslocatewellawayfrompreferablytorear oftheloudspeakersto
preventacousticfeedback'howl'.

Ribbonmicrophonesshouldbeatleast10"fromthespeaker.Oneshouldnotspeak
into the microphone and on no account it should be tested by blowing into the
microphone.

Whenusingmicrophonewithlongtwincorelead(i.e.,inlowimpedancecondition)
inassociationwithequipmenthavinghighimpedanceinput,astepuptransformer.

Microphones must be protected from strong winds, otherwise 'roaring' noises will
result.Itiscommonpracticetoprovidewindscreensinsuchcases.

A typical windscreen is shown below (Figure 10). It consists of a wire framework


coveredwithsilkanddesignedtofitovertheoutsideofamicrophonetoreducethe
effects of wind noise. A wire frame is clamped over the end of the microphone
housing.

Fig.No.10WindscreenforMicrophone

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3.6

15

CleaningofMicrophones
Regular cleaning of microphone will not only improve its performance, but is also
good hygiene. Following are the simple yet effective techniques for cleaning
microphones.

3.6.1 DynamicMicrophones

Thebestwaytocleanamicrophoneistoremovethegrille.Mostvocalmicrophone
grilles simply unscrew. If the grille doesn't slide off easily, gently rock it back and
forthwhilepullingitawayfromthecartridge.Donotpullsharplyorwithexcessive
force, since that could damage the cartridge or separate it from the microphone
housing.Oncethegrilleisremoved,itcanbethoroughlycleanedwithoutdamaging
themicrophone.Sincemostoftheoffensivematerialonthegrillecomesfromthe
human body, plain water should be a sufficient cleanser. Adding a mild detergent
(dishwashing liquid) to the water will act as a mild disinfectant and remove odors
absorbedbythefoamwindscreen.Toremovelipstickandothermaterialstuckinthe
grille,useatoothbrushwithsoftbristles.

3.6.2 CondenserMicrophones

Duetothemoredelicatenatureofcondensermicrophones,neverusewaterorany
otherliquidforcleaningpurposes.Evenasmallamountofmoisturemaydamagea
condenser element. For microphones with removable grilles, the grille and foam
windscreen may be washed as described above. Again, the grille and windscreen
must be completely dry before reattaching it to the microphone. To clean a
microphone with a permanently attached grille, use a dry, soft bristle toothbrush
and gently scrub the grille. Keep the microphone upside down so that loosened
particlesfallawayfromit.Takecarenottoletstraybristlesgetcaughtinthegrille.
Thistechniquealsoworkswellforlavalieresandminiaturegooseneckmicrophones.

Forcondensermicrophonesthatwillbesubjecttoharshconditions,suchasvocals
and theater applications, it is advisable to use a removable external foam
windscreen.Thiswillprotectthemicrophonefromsalivaandmakeup,andcanbe
removedandcleanedwithsoapandwateraftertheperformance.Remember;never
getwaternearacondenserelement.

3.6.3 MicrophoneCord

Microphonecordisprovidedwitheachmicrophone.Lengthofthiscordis5meterto
10meterorasperourrequirement.Thiscordisathreecorecableconnectedwith
jack plug at one end and XLR plug at other end. Jack plug is insertedin amplifiers
microphonesocketandXLRplugisconnectedwithmicrophone.

DiagramsshowingdifferentpartsofjackplugandXLRPlugaregiveninfigureNo.11
&figureNo.12.

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JackPlug

Jack plug is used at one end of the microphone cord. It is used for inserting in
microphoneinputsocketofamplifier.Itisgenerallyprovidedatthefrontpanel of
theamplifier.ThejackplughasthreepartsSleeve,TipandRing&theMicrophone
cordisathreecorecable,Positive,Negative&Screen.Thescreenisconnectedwith
thesleeve,PositiveisconnectedwithTipandNegativeisconnectedwithRingofthe
jackplugasshowninfollowingdiagram:

FigNo.11:JackPlug

XLRPLUG

ItisAhujastandardrobustandrelativelysimpletoinstallmicrophoneconnector.X
denotestoEarthorScreen(Pin1),LdenotestoLiveorPositive(Pin2),Rdenotesto
ReturnorNegative(Pin3).SketchofXLRplugisshownbelow:

Fig.No.12:XLRPlug

4.
Loudspeaker

4.1 GeneralRequirements(Para4.1isaextractofTelecomManualChapter20)

4.1.1 Criteria for determining the loudspeakers required The number of loudspeakers,
their location, height, direction and the power input to the loudspeakers installed
will have to be decided with the object of maintaining the intensity of reproduced
soundabovethelocalprescribednoiselevelsothatthemaskingeffectofnoiseover
thesignalcouldbereducedconsiderably.

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4.1.2 The loudspeakers used should have adequate power handling capacity and should
normallybeofhighefficiencytype.
4.1.3 Loudspeakers used for "A" Category reproduction should have effective frequency
range of 100 to 10,000 Hz. (The response of the speaker system within the
environment after installation should be considered as the effective frequency
response). For this reproduction, directional type of loudspeakers (column) should
beused.

Theverticaldirectivitypatternofthesystemshouldbesuchastofeedtheaudience
at uniform level, avoid harmful level, reverberant sound or echo, and feedback of
energytothemicrophones.Inthehorizontalplane,thedirectivityshouldbeuniform
acrossthewidthofthehall.

4.1.4 Columntypeloudspeakers

(a) Column loudspeakers are ideal for obtaining the vertical directivity pattern. The
height of column and number of speakers in it determine the directivity. A wide
range of high quality reproduction may be obtained by employing multiunit type,
wherein the whole frequency range will be covered by two or three groups of
speakers arranged in separate columns, but mounted close to each other and
connectedthroughaproperlydesigneddividingnetwork.
(b) The directivity pattern of such speakers should be such as to provide sufficient
intelligibility at all points of the seated area and avoid feed back to microphone,
deadspotandecho.
(c) Forbestresults,thecolumnloudspeakersshallbeinstalledverticallyataheightof
1.5 m above the platform level and inclined at an angle of 8 degree to 10 degree
towardstheground.

4.1.5 For "B" Category reproduction, the loudspeaker should have useful response from
100 to 7,500 Hz. Cabinet/horn type loudspeakers should be adequate for such
purposes.

4.1.6 Cone type loudspeakers with wooden/metal cabinets Cone type loudspeakers of
appropriate power output may be used in comparatively quiet covered areas like
waitingrooms,retiringrooms,etc.

4.1.7 Horn type loudspeakers Horn type loudspeakers are suited to open platform and
largehallswithhighroofs.Theyshallbesoplacedandtheirsizesochosenthattheir
radiationmaynotbeinoppositionandalsothereflectionsfromtheroofandwalls
areavoided.Anelectricalfiltertocutofflowfrequenciesmaybeusedwiththeline
matchingtransformertoavoiddamagetothevoicecoilatlowfrequencies.

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4.1.8 Connectingloudspeakers

(a) All the loudspeakers in each group should be connected in parallel and in phase
acrosstheoutputline.

(b) Thepairofwiresfromeachgroupshouldbeterminatedontheannouncerspanelat
theamplifiersend,sothatthelinecouldbeisolatedfromtheoutputoftheamplifier
incaseofanylinefaultorchangedovertoastandbyamplifier,ifprovided.

(c) Whenanumberofloudspeakersareconnectedtothesameoutputcircuit,matching
transformers shall be used with each loudspeaker so that it consumes the rated
power.

(d) These transformers should have at least the minimum frequency characteristic
required of the public address system. The power handling capacity of the
transformer used with a loudspeaker should not be less than the power to be
absorbed by the speaker. These should have several taps on primary and or
secondarytogivemultipleturnsratio.

(e) Thesetransformersenable the loudspeakers,through theselection ofproperturns


ratio, to take an input of predetermined value of audio load from the amplifier, at
the same time, care being taken not to overload the loudspeaker. Where the
constant voltage output line from the amplifier is used, the total wattage of
loudspeakerloadshouldnotexceedtheratedpoweroftheamplifier.

(f) When a single loudspeaker unit is connected to the amplifying system, it's
impedanceshouldbematchedtothesourceimpedancesoastoconsumetherated
power.

4.2 Definition

Aloudspeaker(or"speaker")isanelectroacoustictransducerthatproducessound
inresponsetoanelectricalaudiosignalinput.Loudspeakersmaybedividedintotwo
maingroups:

i) Conetypei.e.,directradiator,whereconeordiaphragmisdirectlycoupledtoair.

ii) Horntype i.e., indirect radiator, where the diaphragm is coupled to the air by
meansofhorn.

The horn increases the acoustical loading on the diaphragm and thereby increases
theefficiency.Itmaybedescribedasadevice,whichtransformsacousticalenergyat
highpressureandlowvelocitytoacousticalenergyatlowpressureandhighvelocity.

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4.3. DynamicLoudspeaker:

Fig.No.13:Crosssection&ConstructionofDynamicLoudspeaker

Themostcommontypeofdriver,commonlycalledadynamicloudspeaker.Ithasa
lightweightdiaphragm,orcone,connectedtoarigidbasket,orframe,viaaflexible
suspension, commonly called a spider, that constrains a coil of fine tensile wire to
moveaxiallythroughacylindricalmagneticgap.

Whenanelectricalsignalisappliedtothevoicecoil,amagneticfieldiscreatedby
theelectriccurrentinthevoicecoil,makingitavariableelectromagnet.Thecoiland
thedriver'smagneticsysteminteract,generatingamechanicalforcethatcausesthe
coil (and thus, the attached cone) to move back and forth, thereby reproducing
soundunderthecontroloftheappliedelectricalsignalcomingfromtheamplifier.

Fig.No.14:DynamicLoudspeaker

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20

CabinetLoudSpeaker
The cabinet improves the acoustic response of the cone type speakers. The basic
designconsistsofanenclosurewiththeloudspeakerunitsetinthecentreofalarge
box,whichiscompletelyairtightexceptforaportandtheloudspeakerholeinthe
frontpanel.Theportissoproportionedtotheinteriorvolumeoftheenclosureand
to the loudspeaker characteristics that it functions acoustically as a low frequency
loudspeaker.

Thus,thelowfrequencyresponseisincreased,anddistortiongenerallyexperienced
with a no ported enclosure, is reduced. The resonant frequency of a loudspeaker
enclosureisdampedbycompletelyliningtheinteriorsurfacesoftheenclosurewith
ahighlyabsorbentmaterialsuchas,rockwool.Theresonantfrequencyofthepanels
maybedampedtotheuseofdiagonalbracesandbyfillingunusedspaceswithsand.

Fig.No.15:CabinetLoudSpeakers

4.5

LineSourceorColumnSpeaker
Column Speakers use multiple speaker cones create a slim line column offering
excellent vertical sound dispersion with a long 'throw', but limited horizontal
coverage.Forthisreason,severalcolumnspeakerscanbemountedinaclusterand
areoftenusedaroundpillarsforsoundreinforcement.

Ontheaxisofthesystemthesoundwavesfromalltheunitsareinphaseandwill
thereforereinforceeachother.Offthisaxisthedifferentpathlengthsfromtheunits
will tends to cause cancellation. However it will show that phase cancellation can
only occur if the wavelengths are comparable with or less than, the length of
loudspeakercolumn.

Fig.No.16:ColumnSpeakers

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21

HighFidelity(HiFi)Speaker

Fig.No.17:HiFiSpeaker

Theseare used to reproduce thegenerally audible frequency range of 50 Hz to 12


KHz(outoftheentireaudiorangeof20Hzto20KHz).Thefrequencyresponseof
ordinaryspeakersisirregular,withanumberofresonantpeaksandvalleys,andhas
arangeofabout60Hzto8KHzonly.Byusingafairlylarge(30cmto38cmdiameter)
andheavycone,thelowfrequencyresponseofspeakerscanbeextendeddownward
to45oreven30Hzbutatthecostofhighfrequencyresponse.Itisdifficulttodesign
asinglespeakertocovertheentireaudiorange.Onecanuseseparatespeakersfor
different audio ranges or combine large and small speakers into a single unit,
mountedinlineorcoaxially.

4.7

Woofer
Wooferisdesignedtoproducelowfrequencysounds,typicallyfromaround40hertz
up to about a kilohertz or higher. The most common design for a woofer is the
electrodynamicdriver,whichtypicallyusesastiffpapercone,drivenbyavoicecoil
whichissurroundedbyamagneticfield.Thevoicecoilisattachedbyadhesivesto
thebackofthespeakercone.Thevoicecoilandmagnetformalinearelectricmotor.
When current flows through the voice coil, the coil movesin relation to the frame
accordingtoFleming'slefthandrule,causingthecoiltopush orpullon the driver
coneinapistonlikeway.Theresultingmotionoftheconecreatessoundwavesasit
movesinandout.

Fig.No.18:Woofer

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22

Tweeter
A tweeter is a loudspeaker designed to produce high audio frequencies, typically
from around 2,000 Hz to 20,000 Hz (generally considered to be the upper limit of
human hearing). Specialty tweeters can deliver high frequencies up to 100 kHz.
Tweeterinatwospeakersystemreproducesfrequenciesfrom1KHzonwardsandin
a threespeaker system from 5 KHz onwards. Also, there is a super tweeter, which
covers the range from 8 KHz onwards. A tweeter may be a small cone permanent
magnetspeakeroranelectrostatictype.

Fig.No.19Tweeter&itsexplodedview

4.9.

Crossovernetwork:
Audio crossovers are a class of electronic filter used in audio applications. Most
individual loudspeaker drivers are incapable of covering the entire audio spectrum
fromlowfrequenciestohighfrequencieswithacceptablerelativevolumeandlackof
distortionsomosthifispeakersystemsuseacombinationofmultipleloudspeakers
drivers,eachcateringtoadifferentfrequencyband.Crossoverssplittheaudiosignal
into separate frequency bands that can be separately routed to loudspeakers
optimizedforthosebands.

Thespecificpurposeofcrossovernetworkis:

Toextendthefrequencyrangebytheuseoftwoormorespeakersofdifferentsize.
Toavoidintermodulationdistortionwhichmayoccurinasingleunit.
Tolimittheinputtothemostusefulfrequencyrangeinagivenspeaker.
ToprotectadelicateHFunitfromLFinput.
Tofacilitatesuitableplacingofbassandtreblespeakersfornaturalresults.

Fig.No.20Multipleunitloudspeakers

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4.10 HornLoudSpeaker

A horn loudspeaker is a loudspeaker or loudspeaker element which uses a horn to


increasetheoverallefficiencyofthedrivingelement,typicallyadiaphragmdrivenby
anelectromagnet.Thehornitselfisapassivecomponentanddoesnotamplifythe
soundfromthedrivingelementassuch,butratherimprovesthecouplingefficiency
betweenthespeakerdriverandtheair.Thehorncanbethoughtofasan"acoustic
transformer" that provides impedance matching between the relatively dense
diaphragmmaterialandtheairoflowdensity.Theresultisgreateracousticoutput
fromagivendriver.

Hornshavebeenusedtoextendthelowfrequencylimitofaspeakerdriver.When
mated to a horn, a speaker driver is able to reproduce lower tones more strongly.
Theflarerateandthemouthsizedeterminethelowfrequencylimit.Thethroatsize
ismoreofadesignchoice.Hornshavebeenknowntoextendthefrequencyrangeof
adriverbeyondfiveoctaves.

Fig.No.21:(a)HornSpeakerFig.No.21:(b)BullHornSpeaker

A horn facilitates the transfer of electrical energy into acoustical energy and, if
properly designed will be so with a minimum of distortion. The design of
loudspeakerhorniscomplexandrequirescarefulconsiderationtopreventreflection
oftheacousticalenergybackintothehornbell.

Theareaofthethroatdeterminestheloadingonthediaphragm.Iftheareaofthe
throat is small compared to the area of the diaphragm, the efficiency is increased
becauseoftheheavierloadingeffect.However,smallthroatsrequirealongerhorn,
whichincreasesthefrictionallosses.

The reflex loudspeaker or bullhorn, a type offolded hornspeaker used widely


inpublic address systems as shown in figure 21(b). To reduce the size of the horn,
thesoundfollowsinzigzagpaththroughexponentiallyexpandingconcentricductsin
thecentralprojection(b,c),emergingfromtheouterhorn(d).

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4.11 Specifications

Impedance:

It is the impedance offered by a loud speaker at 400 Hz. The impedance will be
changedwiththefrequency.

Powerhandlingcapacity(PHC)

Term use to indicate the maximum volume of sound that the loud speaker will
producebeforeitrunsintodistortionwithmaximum5%tolerance.Itisalsosaidthat
thevoicecoiloftheloudspeakercanhandlethemaximumradialpowersafely.

FrequencyResponse:

Itindicatestheuniformsoundpressurethrowforthegivenbandoffrequenciesand
itisrelatedwiththeenclosuresthatareused.

Soundpressurelevel

At 1 watt power at a distance of 1 meter (Spl at 1W, 1M).Loud speaker


manufacturersindicatetheaccurateofsoundpressureinDBSplat1meterdistance
when 1 watt of 1Khz signal feed to the loud speaker. It is also related with the
enclosures. Apart from the above specification some manufactures indicate the
dimensions,weightandthesizeofthemagnetusedintheloudspeaker

5.0

Amplifier

An amplifier in PA equipment is a device, which takes low level input signal from
microphonesandamplifiestoahighleveloutputsignaltothedesiredoutputpower,
which will be delivered to the loud speakers at the output stage by suitable
connection.

5.1

GeneralRequirements(Para5.1isaextractofTelecomManualChapter20)

5.1.1 CapacityofAmplifiers

Theoutputpoweroftheamplifyingsystemshouldbesochosenastobecapableof
establishing at any point amongst the audience, a sound level of 80 dB during
operation,thegaincontrolsoftheamplifyingsystemshouldbesosetthatthesignal
reacheachmember of audience at comfortable listening level, that is during weak
passage the signals are distinctly audible at each point, while during loud passage
thesedonotcauseannoyance.Theamplifyingsystemshouldhaveagainsufficient
to deliver the required output power. The amplifiers should preferably be in
multiples of 60 W. rates capacity, one for each group instead of using high power
setsfortheentireinstallation.

5.1.2 Input

Inadditiontotherequirednumberofmicrophoneinputchannels,theamplifiermust
have a tape recorder/ CD player input channel. It shall be possible to control the
proportionofthelevelsofthesignalsmixed.

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5.1.3 Sensitivity

Astheinputvoltagesrequiredtobeamplifiedmayrangefrom0.5milivoltto1.5V,
theamplifyingsystemshouldhavesensitivitysufficienttooperatedirectlyfromthe
lowestandhighestinputvoltagestobemetwith.

5.1.4 Frequencyresponse

The frequency response of the amplifiers should be within + 3.0 dB from 100 to
10000Hzfor"A"Categoryreproductionandfrom100to7500Hzfor"B"Category
reproduction.

5.1.5 Matchedimpedanceworking

Formatchedimpedanceworking,theoutputimpedanceoftheamplifiershouldbe
suchastooperateintotherangeofimpedancespresentedbytheload.

5.1.6 Theoutputtransformeroftheamplifiershouldhaveimpedancetappingof4,8&16
ohms to enable operation with loudspeakers of these standard impedances. For
constantvoltageworking,thetransformershouldbeprovidedwith70to100volts
constantvoltagetapings.

5.1.7 High power amplifiers should incorporate safeguard against excessive voltage or
currentriseincaseofopencircuitconditionorshortcircuitconditionsrespectively,
inoutputcircuit.

5.1.8 Standbyamplifiers

(a) Standby amplifiers shall be provided so that announcement is not held up due to
defectsintheworkingofamplifiers.
(b) Easy changeover arrangement for switching from the defective amplifiers to the
standby amplifiers by the announcer without the aid of any technical staff is
preferable.
(c) Provision should be available for easy localisation and rectification of faults in any
partoftheinstallation.

5.1.9 Installation

(a) All equipment should be robustly made and designed for continuous operation.
Equipment should be securely installed in such a manner as to have convenient
accesstoallsidesofit.Accessbyunauthorisedpersonsshouldbeguardedagainst.
Precautions should be taken to keep away dust from the equipment, especially if
earthmovingmachines,concretemixersetc.areworkingintheimmediatevicinityof
theaccommodationprovided.
(b) When the number of equipment is not large, they may be placed on a table and
wired.Thepositioningoftheequipmentshouldbesuchthatthelengthsoftheinter
connectingcablesarekeptminimumforconvenience.
(c) Incasethenumberofequipmentislarge,itisdesirabletomounttheminracksof
suitable dimensions. The racks may be of metal or wood and either in one piece
having compartments or different sections of uniform width assembled together.
Eachcompartmentofsectionshallcontainoneitemofequipment.Theheightofthe

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rackwilldependonthenumberofequipmenttobemountedandaccommodation
available,ensuringthatallmanualcontrolsarewithineasyreach.
(d) Switches should be provided for isolating any faulty section of the equipment
thereby facilitating operation and avoiding danger to the operating personnel. The
arrangement made should enable the remaining part of the equipment to be
availableforuse.
(e) The patch cords if used should be tested and neatly arranged to avoid obstruction
and should be easily identifiable. Necessary safety measure should be adopted to
avoidaccidentalcontactswithhighvoltagepointsintherack.
f) Insulation required in 25 kV ac electrified area The amplifier along with the cable
andloudspeakersshallbesuchastowithstandadielectricstrengthtestvoltageof
1000ACrmsfortwo seconds,whenappliedbetweentheterminalsofthespeaker
andthebody.

5.1.10PowerSupply

(a) Itshallbeensuredthatreliablemainspowersupplyisavailableneartheproposed
locationoftheannouncingequipment.
(b) The installation should be normally operated from 230 V single phase 50 Hz AC
mainssupply.
(c) Avoltageregulatingdevicewillhavetobeprovided,iftheregulationofthepower
supplyispoorerthan5%.
(d) When only DC supply is available, if necessary, an inverter of required capacity
shouldbeprovidedtoconvertDCsupplyintoACsupply.
(e) Ifnomainssupplyisavailable,petroloroilenginedrivengeneratingsetofrequired
capacitygiving230 voltssinglephase50Hz,ACshouldbeused.Suchagenerating
setshouldbelocatedawayfromcentralequipmentandmicrophonesandpreferably
in another building at some distance from the hall having sound distribution
installation to avoid noise (Electrical & Mechanical) produced by the generating
system.
(f) All amplifiersshould preferably becapable tooperate on 12 V/24 VDC Car Battery
besideson230V,50HzACsupply.

5.2

Controls&Features

5.2.1 FrontPanelControls

A photograph of typical PA Amplifier Ahuja Model SSA350 & a diagram showing


frontpanelcontrolsisshowninfigure22(a&b).

Fig.No.22(a):AmplifierAhuja,ModelSSA350

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Fig.No.22(b):FrontPanelcontrolsofAmplifier

Legends
1, 2, 3, 4,
5,7&8
6, 9, 21,
22,23,24,
&25
19&20

NameofControl
MicInputJackSockets

Mic Volume Control


Switch

11

AUX Volume Control


Switch
Box Speaker/Driver Unit
SelectorSwitch
BassControlSwitch

12

TrebleControlSwitch

13
14

PowerSwitch
PowerLED

15
16

OverloadLED
ResetButton

17

LEDArray

18

MasterSwitch

10

Function
Foracceptingunbalancedsignalfromalow
impedancemicrophone.
Foradjustingthevolumelevelofindividual
mic
Forcontrollingvolumeofauxiliarycircuits.
For selecting the type of loud speakers
beingused
Forincreasingordecreasingthesignallevel
oflowfrequencies
Forincreasingordecreasingthesignallevel
ofhighfrequencies
FormaketheamplifierONorOFF
LED glows when the Amplifier is switched
ON
LEDglowswhenthecircuitprotectortrip
This button pops out when the circuit
protectortrips.Rectifythecauseandpress
the RESET button for resetting normal
operationoftheamplifier
TheseLEDsindicatestheoutputlevelofthe
amplifier
For adjustment of overall volume level of
theAmplifier

5.2.2 RearPanelControls

AdiagramshowingrearpanelcontrolofPAAmplifierModelAhujaSSA350isgiven
belowinfigure23:

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Fig.No.23:RearPanelcontrolsofAmplifier

Legends NameofControl
26
ACMainsCablewithPlug

Function
ForconnectingAmplifierwith230VoltAC
Supply
27
BatteryTerminalBlock
For connecting DC battery as standby
powersource
28
Speaker
Terminal
Block For connecting speakers with 100V/70V
(70V/100V)
linematchingtransformer
29
SpeakerTerminalBlock(4/8) Forconnectinglowimpedancespeakers
30
LineInputJackSocket
ForconnectinginputssuchasaCDplayer.
Also for connecting an external mixer to
enhancethenumberofinputs.
31,32 AUXInputJackSocket
For accepting an unbalanced signal from
an auxiliary source like a tuner, cassette
player,echooraudiomixeretc
33
Preamplifier Output Jack For connecting to the auxiliary input of
Socket
another amplifier or a cassette recorder
forrecordingpurpose
34
LineOutputJackSocket
For connecting to a booster amplifier to
obtaincombinedhigherpoweroutput
35
EarthTerminal
Forconnectingelectricearth
36
Fuse
ACmainfuse

5.3

Interconnections

Theamplifiercanbeplacedasatabletopunit.Theissoinstalledthatitslocationor
positiondoesnotinterferewithitsproperventilation.
AmplifiermustbepoweredthroughanACearthedmainsoutlet.
Allconnectionsmustonlybecarriedoutorchangeafterswitchingofftheamplifier.
Toavoidloudswitchingnoise,alwaysswitchONtheamplifierafterswitchedONthe
connectedaudioinputwithit.
AfteroperationfirstswitchedOFFtheamplifierbeforetheotherunits.
Diagramsofatypicalamplifierconnectionsonfrontandrearpanelareshownbelow
infigure24&figure25:

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29

ConnectionsofFrontPanel
Interconnectionsonfrontpanelofatypicalamplifier,makeAhuja,ModelSSA350is
shownbelowinfigure24.

Jack plugs of microphones of various audio sources are inserted in microphone


sockets.TheVolumelevelofeachmicrophonesaudiocanbeincreasedordecreased
by the respected microphone volume controls. The over all volume of all
microphonescanbecontrolbymastercontrol.

Fig.No.24:ConnectionsonfrontPaneloftheAmplifier

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30

ConnectionsofRearPanel
Interconnections of rear panel of a typical amplifier makeAhuja, model SSA350 is
shownbelowinfigure25.

Fig.No.25:ConnectionsatRearPaneloftheAmplifier

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31

SpeakerConnection
Installed sound systems commonly use either a direct connection (also called low
impedance) or constant voltage (also called high impedance) amplifier/speaker
interface.

5.6.1 LowImpedance

Box type speakers can be connected to COM & 4 or 8 terminal strip directly
accordingtheimpedanceofthespeaker.

The box speaker / Driver unit switch must be kept at Box speaker position. If by
mistake the switch remains in Driver unit position the quality of sound will not be
richandnatural.

No driver unit / Horn speaker / Column speaker (with 100V LMT) should be
connectedatthisterminalstrip.

Fig.No.26:TerminalstripforconnectingLoadinImpedanceMatching

5.6.2 ConnectingFourSpeakersof8Impedance

Four speakers of 100 watt each are connected in parallelseries combination as


shown.Twogroupsoftwospeakersareconnectedinparallelandthenthesegroups
are connected in series. The resulting impedance would be 8 . Thus they can be
connectedtothe8tapping,asshowninfigure27.

Fig.No.27:Connectingspeakersinimpedancematching

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5.6.3 ConnectingtwoSpeakersof8Impedance

Two speakers of 200 watt shall be wired in parallel combination as shown. The
resulting impedance will be 4 . This parallel combination of the speakers can be
connectedon4tapping.

Fig.No.28:Connectingspeakersinimpedancematching

5.6.4 HighImpedance

OnlyDriverunit/Horn/Columnspeakerswith100Vlinematchingtransformerareto
beconnectedtoCom70V/100Vterminalstrip.

Theboxspeaker/DriverunitswitchofamplifiershallbekeptatDriverUnitposition.

If any speaker is connected on Com70V/100V terminal strip than no box speaker


shallbeconnectedonCom4/8terminalstrip.

Fig.No.29:TerminalstripforconnectingspeakersinVoltageMatching

5.6.5 Connecting35DriverUnitwith100VLMT

35 driver units with 100V line matching Transformer are connected in parallel as
shown. It shall be noticed that the total wattage shall not exceed by the amplifier
wattage capacity. If amplifier is 350 watt than speaker tapping of 10 watt can be
selected.

Fig.No.30:ConnectingspeakersinVoltageMatching

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5.6.6 ConnectingcombinationofDriverUnitandColumnspeakerswith100VLMT

25driverunitswithLMTat10wattand20columnspeakerswith100LMTat5watt
canbeconnectedwith350wattamplifierasshowninfiguregivenbelow:

Fig.No.31:ConnectingspeakersinVoltageMatching

5.7

Useof70VLine
A loudspeaker / Driver unit with its LMT adjusted to 15W tap, when connected to
AmplifiersCOM&100Vterminal,itwilldraw15Wfromtheamplifierbutifsameis
connectedtoCOM&70Vitwilldrawonlyhalfpoweri.e.7.5W.The70Vlinetapping
ofamplifierisusefulwherelargenumberofspeaker/driverunitaretobeinstalled
formoreevendistributionofline.

5.8

CorrectPhasingofLoudspeakers
Whentwo ormorespeakers/unitsare installedinthesameareaandarefacingto
samedirection,itisessentialthattheircone/diaphragmactinunison.Otherwisethe
sound levels of both speakers will be cancelled out. To avoid any mistake, the
terminals of box speakers and the driver unit are marked + & . Always connect
theComtapeofamplifiertoofspeakerand4/8tapeoftheamplifierto+of
thespeaker.IncaseofLMTstheComofalltheLMTsshallbeconnectedtotheCom
oftheamplifierandpowertapeto100V/70Vline.

Fig.No.32:DriverUnit

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5.9

34

ConnectingAmplifier350watt&BoosterAmplifier500Watt
Connect microphones and other program sources to the input jacks of 350 Watt
amplifier.
Connect the Preoutput jack of this amplifier to the input jack of Booster amplifier
500Watt. The sensitivity switch of Booster shall be at 200mV. Now system will
behaveas350+500=850watt.
LSconnectionstoboththeamplifiershallbeindependently.EachAmplifiershallbe
connectedeitherboxspeakersorspeakersusingLMTbutnevertobothtogether.
Settingofbothamplifiersshallbeaccordingtotypeofloadspeakersconnected.
IfspeakersusingLMTare connectedthetotal powershallnotbeexceed500 watt
forBooster&350wattforAmplifier.
Bass & Treble controls of each amplifier can be adjusted to give optimum tonal
qualityofsound.
Thiskindofsystemisidealwherebothhighandlowimpedancespeakersarebeing
used.
Theconnectiondiagramisshowninthefigure33below:

Fig.No.33:MasterAmplifierconnectedwithoneBoosterAmplifiers

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35

5.10 ConnectingMasterAmplifier350WattandfourBoosterAmplfiers500Watt

ConnectmicrophonesandothersourcestotheinputjacksofMasterAmplifier.

Connect LineOut of the Master Amplifier to the input jack of the first Booster A
usingpatchcordwithinchphoneplugsatbothends.Thesensitivityswitchshallbe
towards1V.

Connect the output jack of Booster A to the input jack of second Booster B. The
sensitivityswitchofthissecondBoosterBshallbeat1V.

ConnectthethirdandforthBoosters(BoosterC&BoosterD)inthesamemanners.
Amaximumoffourboostersshallbeconnectedinthewayotherwisethelineoutput
oftheMasterAmplifierwillgotloaded.

Now the inputs connected to the master amplifier will feed all the five amplifiers
creating350+500+500+500+500=2350Wattoutputsystem.

Loudspeakerconnectionstoeachofthefiveamplifiersshallbedoneindependantly.
Each amplifier can be connected to either box type speakers or to speakers using
LMTbutnevertobothtogether.

Speaker system impedance shall be matched to the output impedance of the


amplifierandthusshallbeconnectedtothecorrospondingtapeoftheamplifier.

Theboxspeakers/driverunitswitchshouldbeaspertypeofloadconnected.

Whenspeakerswith100VLMTareused,totalpowerdrawnshouldnotexceed500
wattincaseofanyoftheboosteramplifiers&350wattincaseofmasteramplifier
respectively.

During operation of the system any adjustment in the total quality of the sound if
requiredcanbemadefromtheMasterAmplifier.

Theconnectiondiagramisshowninfigure34..

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36

FigNo.34:MasterAmplifierconnectedwith4BoosterAmplifiers

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6.

37

AudioMixerPreAmplifier

Themainamplifiersystemhaslimitationofaccommodatingmorenumberofinput
devices therefore there is a device called audio mixer preamplifier, which
accommodatesmorenumberofinputdeviceswithmoreno.ofindividualcontrols.
ThecombinedoutputofallindividualchannelswillbeconnectedtoAux.inputtothe
main amplifier section. The designing aspect of mixer preamplifier will depends
upontherequirementofno.ofinputchannelsi.e.2,4,5,8,9,12,14and16.

In this chapter we will describe a typical PA Audio Mixer Amplifier,make Ahuja


ModelMX15.Thefrontpanelofmixerisgivenbelowinfigure35:

6.1

FrontPanelControls&Features

FigNo.34:FrontPanelControls

Legend NameofControl
1.
MIC1
Volume
Control
2.
MIC1 ON/OFF
SwitchwithLED
3.
MIC12/AUX3
VolumeControl
4.
MIC12/AUX3
Selector Switch
with
Bicolour
LEDindication
5.
BASSControl

6.

TREBLEControl

7.

LEDArray

8.
9.
10.

PowerSwitch
PowerONLED
MasterControl

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Function
Forincreasingordecreasingthevolumeofmicrophone1.Similarvolume
controlsarealsoprovidedforMIC2toMIC9inputchannels
Switch to make OFF or ON the MIC1 channel. Switches with similar
functionsarealsoprovidedforMIC2toMIC9inputchannels.
Forcontrollingthevolumeofmicrophone12/auxiliary3.Similarvolume
controlsarealsoprovidedforMIC10/AUX1andMIC11/AUX2.
For selecting either MIC12 or AUX3. Similar switches with bicolour LED
arealsoprovidedforMIC10/AUX1&MIC11/AUX2

This control boosts or cuts the low frequencies. Musical instruments like
Tabla,Drumrespondtoboostthelowfreq.whenswitchmovefrom0to
10positionsthelowfreqarereduced.
Itboostsorcutsthehigherfrequencies.Itimprovesthebrillianceofsound
forstringinstrumentslikeViolin,Sarangi,Sitarandtosomeextenthuman
voice.
The 10 numbers of LED array calibrated in dB indicates the Line Output
level.
ForPowermakeONorOFF.
ItglowswhenthesetisswitchedON.
All MICs and AUXs input signals are mixable and these mixed signals are
finallycontrolledbytheMasterControlforoverallopeningofthevolume
fromthemixer.Forbestperformanceitshallbekeptat6to8position.

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6.2

38

RearPanelControls&Features
VariousrearpanelcontrolsofatypicalmixermakeAhuja,modelMX15isgivenin
figure35below:

FigNo.35:RearPanelControls

Legend NameofControl
11.
Battery Terminal
Strip
12.
AUX1 & AUX2
InputJacks
13.
AUX3 (CD/TAPE)
StereoInput
14.
MIC1 to MIC12
InputJacks
15.
Line Output Jacks
(1V)

16.

17.

18.
19.
20.

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Function
12Vcarbatteryisconnectedonthisterminalstrip.
BatteryoperationisautomaticincaseofACfailure
ForconnectingAUXinputsourcessuchasacassette
player,additionalmixeretc.
Forconnectinghigheroutputlevelsourcessuchas
aaCDplayer,Stereocassetteplayer,keyboardetc.
These jacks are for connecting Low impedance
microphones.
These four jacks are connected in such a way that
they do not load each other. This output is for
connecting the Mixer to the Line input of an
amplifier.
Pre Output Jacks ThesetwojacksareforconnectingAUXinputofany
(200mV)
amplifier or cassette recorder for recording the
program.
Headphones
AudioOutputforheadphonemonitoring
Output
EarthTerminal
Forconnectingelectricalearth
ACMainsCable
Forconnecting230V0ltACtoequipment
ACFuse
For securing the equipment by higher input AC
voltage

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6.3

39

TypicalApplications

6.3.1 OpenConference/Convention

FigNo.36:Useofmixerinopenconference

6.3.2 MusicalProgram

FigNo.37:UseofmixerinMusicalProgramme

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7.

40

CoferenceSystem
Conference system mainly consists of one Chairman Unit, one secretary unit,
delegateunitsasrequired,centralamplifierwithconnectingchordsandloudspeaker
system.

7.1

Chairmanunit

FigNo.38ChairmanUnit

This unit specially designed for chairperson. It consists of builtin loudspeaker and
highly sensitive electrets condenser microphone mounted on flexible gooseneck
arrangement.Thevariousparts/controlsoftheunitasshownabovearegivenbelow:

Legend
1
2
3
4
5

Part/Control
RingLED
Microphone
LevelLED
PriorityLED
PrioritySW

TalkSW

7
8

TalkLED
Headphone
Vol.Control
Headphone
JackSocket
8 pin line
connector
Vol.Control
Speaker

9
10
11
12

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Function
ItglowswhenpressingTALKorPRIORITYSwitch
TransmitvoicewhenspeakafterpressingTALKkey
Itindicatesthespeechlevelthroughthemicrophone
Itglows whenmic switchedONbypressingpriorityswitch
By pressing it, chairman can suppress voice of all delegate
units
ItmakesmicrophoneONbypressingonce.Micswitchedofon
repressingandbuiltinspeakergetsactive.
Itglowwhenpressingtalkswitch.
Foradjustingtheoutputlevelfromtheheadphonejacksocket
Forconnectingstereoheadphoneplug
For connecting unit to other units through 8 core shielded
cable
Foradjustingtheoutputlevelofbuiltinspeaker
Builtinspeakerforreceivingspeechofotherunits

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7.2

41

Delegateunits:
Theseunitsaresimilartochairmanunitwiththeexceptionofthepriorityswitchnot
beingprovided.Diagramisshownbelowinfigure39:

FigNo.39:DelegateUnit

7.3

Secretaryunit:
This unit enables proceedings to be recorded through a cassette recorder, for a
stenographer present to take notes and to relay prerecorded messages if any to
delegates.

FigNo.40:SecretaryUnit

Legend NameandFunction
1
Record/Playback Connector: It is a 4 pin
male socket for connecting to the LINE
IN(Record)andLINEOUT(Playback)of
a cassette recorder. A 4 pin female plug
suitable for this socket is supplied along
withthisunit.
2
Speaker Volume Control: For adjusting
theoutputlevelofthebuiltinspeaker

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7.4

42

ConferenceExpansionUnit

FigNo.41:ConferenceExpansionUnit(Front&RearControls)

Legend Control/Part
1
PowerLED
2
3
4
5
6&7

7.5

PowerSwitch
BatteryTerminalBlock
IECmainSocketwithfuse
EarthTerminal
8PinLineConnector

Function
It glows when the expansion unit is switched
ON
ForSwitchedONtheunit.
Forconnectingstandbybatteries.
Forconnecting23VACSupply.
Forconnectingelectricearth
Forconnectingtheconferenceunitsinaclosed
loop

Cables&Connectors
ConnectionCableCC46

ExpansionCableCC47

Connection cable terminated with 8pin female plugs on both end

Extension cable terminated with 8-pin


female at one end and 8-pin male plug
at other end

[As viewed from soldering side]

6.3mm (1/4 inch) Stereo Phone plug


for Send/Return application

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Pin 1: +Ve Supply


Pin 2: -Ve Supply
Pin 3: Mic Auto Off
Pin 4: Signal Out

Pin 5: Signal Out


Pin 6: Signal IN
Pin 7: Signal IN
Pin 8: Priority

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7.6

43

CentralAmplifier:
It is provided for connecting conference system consisting of chairman, secretary
anddelegateunits.ItoperatesonACmainsandstandbyDCvoltageanddesignedfor
both tabletop & rack mounting. A photograph of typical central amplifier model
Ahuja CM4000 is shown in figure 42. It has a 50W PA amplifier for sound
reinforcement.

FigNo.42:CentralAmplifier

7.6.1 FrontPanelControl:

ControlsonfrontpanelofCentralAmplifierareshownbelow:

FigNo.43:FrontPanelControlsofCentralAmplifier

Legends PartName

Function

1,2,&3

MICVolumeControl

AUXVolumeControl

5
6
7
8

BASSControl
TREBLEControl
MasterSwitch
LINESwitch

9
10
11

LEDArray
PowerLED
PowerSwitch

Forincreasinganddecreasingthevolumeofindividual
microphone.
ForincreasinganddecreasingthevolumeofAuxiliary
Audio
Forattenuatingthesignalleveloflowfrequencies
Forattenuatingthesignallevelofhighfrequencies
ForadjustmentoftheoverallvolumeoftheAmplifier
For adjustment of the overall volume level from the
conferenceunits.
IndicatestheoutputleveloftheAmplifier
ThisLEDglowswhenamplifiertunedON
ForswitchedON&switchedOfftheAmplifier

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44

7.6.2 RearPanelControls

ControlsonrearpanelofCentralAmplifierareshownbelow:

FigNo.44:RearPanelControlsofCentralAmplifier

Legends

PartName

Function

12

BatteryTerminalBlock

13

MainSocketwithFuse

14
15

EarthTerminal
SpeakerTerminalBlock(70V/
100V)
8pinLineConnectors

16
17
18

Speaker
Terminal
(4/8/16ohm)
AutoMICSwitchOFF

19

Send/Return
Socket

20

LINEoutputjacksocket

21

PREAMP/ RECORD output


RCASocket

22

PREAMP/ RECORD output


jackSocket
AUXInputJackSocket
For accepting an unbalanced signal from an
auxiliary source like a tuner, cassette player,
EchoorAudioMixeretc
MIC3InputJackSocket
For accepting unbalanced signal from a low
impedancemicrophone
MIC2InputJackSocket
For accepting unbalanced signal from a low
impedancemicrophone
MIC1InputCOMBOSocket
For accepting balanced signal from a low
impedance microphone through a male XLR
plugaswellasaquarterinchstereoplug

23

24
25
26

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stereo

Block

jack

For connecting Batteries + & terminal as


standbypowersource
Forconnecting230VACsupplythrough3pin
plugcable
Forconnectingelectricearth
For connecting speakers with 100V/70V line
matchingtransformer
For connecting conference units in a closed
loop
Forconnectinglowimpedanceloudspeakers
of4ohm/8ohm/16ohm
ForselectingthefacilityofautomaticSwitch
OFFfordelegatemicrophones.
For connecting an external signal processor
likeafeedbackdestroyer,compressorlimiter
etc
For connecting to a booster amplifier to
obtaincombinedhigheroutput
For connecting to the AUX input of another
amplifieroracassetterecorderforrecording
purpose.
ForconnectingPAamplifier

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7.7

45

Interconnections
Figure45givenbelowshowsthevariousconnectionsthroughcentralamplifier.

FigNo.45:InterconnectionswithCentralAmplifier

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7.8

46

TypicalApplication
An example of a typical small and medium size venue such as Conference room,
Meetingroom,andBoardroomisshownbelow:

FigNo.46:ConnectionsinConferenceRoom

7.9

SpecialFeatures
AutoMicrophoneOff

If a delegate unit keeps ON without making speech in to it, the microphone is


automaticallygotswitchedoffafterapproximately75seconds.Thisfunctioncanbe
disabledbyplacingAutoMICSwitchOffSwitchatrearpanelofcentralamplifierin
OFFposition.

PriorityFunction

A priority switch is provided on the chairman unit for seeking attention of all
delegatesduringconference.Whenpriorityswitchispressed,allactivemicrophones
getmutedandasingletonechimeisrelayedthroughalltheinbuiltspeakerstoget
attention.Inthisperiodonlychairmancanspeak.

BuiltinPAAmplifier

Incertainsituationsadditionalsoundreinforcementthroughexternalspeakersmay
berequired.Thecentralamplifierhasbeenprovidedwithabuiltin59WPAamplifier
forpoweringtheseexternalspeakers.

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8.

8.1
8.2

47

Maintenance((Para8isaextractofTelecomManualChapter20)
General conditions of wiring and components of the entire system to be checked
onceeveryyear.
The frequency response and the noise level of the amplifier shall be checked
annuallyandrelevantparametersaretoberecordedintablesasshownbelow.

TableofTestI
Sr. In put Signal Frequency(Hz) Output
Load
SPL
Level
Voltage
Resistance

0.5mV&
100Hz
1.5mV
500Hz
1000Hz
1500Hz
2000Hz
3000Hz
4000Hz
5000Hz
To
10000Hz

TableofTestII
Sr. Frequency(Hz)
InputSignalLevel
SPLindB

1000Hz
.5mV

100mV
500mV
1.0V
1.5V

TableofTestIII
Sr.
LocationNumber
SoundPressureLevelindB

TableofTestIV
Sr. LocationNo.asTest SoundPressureLevelin NoiseLevelin
S/NRatio
III
dB
dB

TableofTestV
Sr.
Positionof
SPLWithTone
TimeTakentodecaythelevelby
Measurement
ON
60dB

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8.3

48

The earthing arrangement shall be maintained properly and inspected once in a


quarter.Alternatingcurrentinductionhumat50Hzanditsharmonicsalsoshouldbe
checked.

8.4 InspectionandTesting

8.4.1 The completed permanent installation should be inspected and tested by the
ADSTE/DSTE to ensure that the work is being carried out in a satisfactory manner
and that the materials and components used conform with the standard practice.
Temporaryinstallationmaybesimilarlytestedandinspectedbyaseniorinspector.

8.4.2 Routineinspectionoftheinstallationshallbecarriedoutatintervalsinaccordance
withthemanufacturersinstructionsorasspecifiedfromtimetotime.

8.4.3 A log book shall be kept in which details of all routine attention, faults and tests
shouldbecarefullyrecordedforscrutiny.

8.5 SelectionofAnnouncers

8.5.1 Choiceofannouncers

When DSTE/ADSTE assists in the choice of announcers, the following essential


characteristicsshouldbesoughtforintheprospectiveannouncers.

(a) They should be possess a pleasing voice so as to reflect their helpful, polite and
friendlyattitude.
(b) They should be free of any defect or impediment in speech, including marked
accents.
(c) They should be able to speak habitually with smoothness of diction and clarity of
pronunciation.

8.5.2 QualityofAnnouncements

Thefollowingprecautionswillenhancethequalityofannouncements:

(a) Keepingadistanceof4"to6"fromthemicrophoneandmaintainingit.
(b) Checkingupthecorrectvolumerangerequired.
(c) Speakingslowlyanddeliberatelyandpreferablywithaslightpausebetweenwords.
(d) Being particularly careful in the pronunciation of names. Names which can not be
readilyunderstoodorwhichareinherentlydifficulttopronounce,maybespelt.
(e) Avoiding undue raising of voice. A relatively quiet, natural conversational tone is
best.
(f) Modulatethevoiceaccordingtothemeaningavoidmonotones.
(g) Avoidingasingsongstyleofdelivery(usuallycharacterisedbyanasaltoneofvoice).

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49

(h) Being careful about the use of words containing sibilants, especially if the
announcer's voice is of such a type as to emphasis unduly hissing or lisping
tendencies.
(i) Avoidcoughing,sneezingorclearingofthroatwhilethesounddistributionsystemis
keptenergised.
(j) Avoidthehabitofblowingintothemicrophone.
(k) Avoidchewingof"pan"ortobaccowhilemakingannouncements.
(l) Layemphasisonkey/importantwordsandoperatingpartofsentences.

8.6 RoomforAnnouncer

8.6.1 Requirementsfortheannouncer'sroom

(a) The announcer should be seated in an enclosure having good acoustic


characteristics, i.e. acceptable reverberation time without any specific acoustic
defects.
(b) Theambientnoiselevelintheenclosureshouldnotbemorethan40dBreferredto
0.0002dynepercm2.
(c) Airconditioning may be extended to this enclosure, if any nearby room is air
conditioned,otherwiseanoiselessexhaustfanshallbeprovided.
(d) Thewindowpanesshouldpreferablybeofdoubleglass.
(e) Minimumsizeoftheroomshallbe2.5mX3.5m.
(f) As far as possible, the room should be made dustproof, else, the dust should be
absorbedandnotsweeped.
(g) Theannouncershallbesuitablyconnectedbytelephonewiththesectioncontrollers
atbigjunctionstations.Suchtelephonesshallhaveonlyvisualindicatorsforcalling
theannouncer'sattention.
(h) Wheretraindescribingsystemexists,it maybeextendedtotheannounceralso,if
necessary.

9.
WiringandCabling(AspertelecomManualChapter20)

9.1 MicrophoneCables

(a) These cables carry low level signal currents and are, therefore, susceptible for
electrical interference. Twisted pairs of conductors with sufficient insulation,
screened continuously with close mesh of tinned copper braid shall be used. The
copper braiding should be sheathed with an insulated covering. The microphone
cablesshallbeisolatedfrompower,loudspeakerandtelephonecables.
(b) Jointsinthecablesshouldbeavoidedasfaraspossible.
(c) Theplugsandsocketsusedformicrophonescablesshouldhavestrongselfcleaning
contactssoastoeliminatenoiseandtheyshallbenonreversibleandhavesufficient
numberofpinstoconnectnotonlythemainconductorsbutalsothecableshields.
(d) Microphone cables should be laid without sharp bends as far as possible. Inside
buildings,theymaybelaidontheflooralongthewallsorunderthecarpettoavoid
damageduetoanyheavyobjectfallingonthemandcuttingthem.

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50

(e) In 25 kV ac electrified areas, cables with their shields earthed must be used, if
electromagneticinductionisanticipated.
(f) Theplugsandsocketsforloudspeakerconnectionsshouldbeofatypethatcannot
beeasilyoraccidentallyinsertedinelectricorpowercircuits.
(g) ThespeakercableshouldbetwincorerubberorPVCinsulatedleadcoveredcables.
These should be rated for 250 volts insulation and should be isolated from
microphonecableandpowercable.

9.2

DistributionandConnectingcables

The cables chosen for distribution and connections should be such that the line
lossesdonotexceedthevaluesspecifiedintablegivenbelow:

LoudspeakerCableSizesAndLengthsForSpecifiedLineLosses

LowImpedanceLines=15%Powerloss.

WireSize
mm
2.06
1.60
1.32
1.00
0.80

2
30
20
12.5
7.5
4.5

MaximumlengthofloudspeakercablesinMeters
forloadimpedanceinohms
4
8
16
60
120
240
40
80
160
25
50
100
15
30
60
9
18
36

32
480
320
200
120
72

HighImpedanceLines=5%powerloss.

WireSize

MaximumlengthofloudspeakercablesinMeters
forloadimpedanceinohms
100
250
500
300
750
1500
200
500
1000
120
300
600
75
187.5
375
50
125
250

mm
1.60
1.32
1.00
0.80
0.63

Maximumlengthtotransmitupperfrequency.

Wiresize
mm
2.65
2.06
1.60
1.32
1.00
0.80
0.63
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300
1150
1200
900
750
600
...
...

Maximumlengthofloudspeakercablesinmtrs
forloadimpedanceinohms
5000
7000
10000
1150
900
820
950
750
600
730
600
520
580
460
410
460
380
320
380
300
260
...
...
200

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51

StandardCabling

Forsmallpublicaddresssystemsuptoatotalof340Wattsload,a2corecablewith
thefollowinglengthsdependantonthelengthofthespeakercableisrequired.

CableDistance

Lessthan600m
600mto1200m
Morethan1200m

CableSize

1.0mm2
1.5mm2
2.5mm2

Iftheseguidelinesareadheredtothenthemaximumsignaldropatthelastspeaker
shouldbeintheorderof1dBatanaveragespeechsignallevelandintheorderof
3dBatmaximumoutput,bothofwhicharenegligible.Itshouldbenotedthatwhilst
werecommendconductorsizestheactualtypeofcableusedshouldbeappropriate
totheindividualsiteandinstallation.

10. EarthingandotherSafetyPrecautions(AsperTelecommanualchapter20)

10.1 General

Thelayoutandwiringofcablesforloudspeakersshall,asfaraspossible,besodone
as to ensuresafetyandavoidanceoftheobstructionsin thenormal functioningof
the installation. The Indian Electricity Rules 1956 and the Indian Standard Code of
PracticeforElectricalWiringandFittingsinBuildings(IS:7321958)shallbefollowed,
asfarastheyareapplicableforwiringloudspeakerinstallations.

10.2 Earthing

(a) Proper earthing of the entire installation (with appropriate earthing of the
individualequipmentalso)isabsolutelyessentialtoavoiddangerfromanypossible
shockstotheusersoftheequipments,theoperatingpersonnelortheaudience.
(b) Earthingconnectionstothenearbywatermainsareofusuallylowerresistancethan
any form of buried earth electrode system. An equipment of installation may be
satisfactorilyearthedbymeansofconnectiontothenearestwatersupplymainsby
agoodsolderedjoints.Intheabsenceofasuitablewatermain,theearthingmaybe
donebyconnectiontootherefficientlyearthedobject.
(c) The use of two or more separate earthing connections at different points on the
system is inadvisable due to risk of trouble from circulating currents. The earth
connectionfromwatersupplymainsorotherearthedelectrodeshouldbebrought
to an earthbusbar in the equipment room. The earthing connection to the
installationequipmentsshouldbedrawnfromthisearthbusbar.

The screening leads of a microphone should have a separate insulated lead run
directtotheearthconnection.Itshallnotbeconnectedtotheelectricalearthingof
theinstallationwhichgivesrisetohum.

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52

10.3 Earthingleads

Afairlyheavycable(suchas7/0.75mmVIRinconduit)orbarecopperwire(4.0mm
dia) is normally satisfactory as the earthing connection lead. If bare copper wire is
used,careshouldbetakentorunitinsulatedfromothermetallicobjectsallalongits
length.

10.4 Earthingin25kVACelectrifiedarea

(a) All the sheaths/screens of wires/cables and metallic conduits must be earthed at
bothends.
(b) Inelectrifiedareas,themetalmountingoftheconetypeloudspeakersandthebody
ofthehorntypeloudspeakersshallbeearthed.Theresistanceofthisearthingshall
notexceed10ohms.

10.5 Additionalrequirementsin25kVacelectrifiedarea

a) Intheelectrifiedareas,thelengthofparallelismbetweentheloudspeakercircuitand
catenarysystemshouldbelimitedto1.2Km.wherethislengthisexceeded;suitable
sectionalisingtransformersshallbeprovided.
b) Aminimumseparationof5 metersbetweenthenearestwiringoftheloudspeaker
andthecatenarysystemshallbekept.
c) Screened cables & wires or cables & wires in metallic conduit should be used in
electrifiedareas,soastoeliminatetheeffectsofinductionbothelectromagneticand
electrostatic. The cable screening conduit shall be effectively earthed at both the
ends.Ifsectionalisingtransformersareprovided,earthingofthecablescreenshould
bedoneonthetwosidesofthetransformers.Thevalueofthisearthingresistance
shouldbeaslowaspossibleandshallnotexceed5ohms.
d) Thescreenedcablesusedforworkingtheloudspeakersshallhaveascreeningfactor
of0.5withinthefieldintensityof50V/Kmto450V/Kmat50Hz.
e) Itisdesirabletorunamaincablefortheloudspeakercircuitsasfarawayaspossible
from the catenary system and connect the loudspeaker at different points by
distributioncablesrunatrightanglestothecatenarysystem.
(f) Wiringforequipmentshouldalsobescreened(sheathed).

10.6 Safetyrequirementsforamplifiersoperatedfromelectricmains

The amplifier or amplifiers operating from mains supply shall conform to the
requirementspecifiedinIS:9302Mainsoperatedaudioamplifiers.

10.7 FireandExplosionrisk

Theinstallationofthesysteminasituation,wheretheremaybeapossibilityofan
explosion,orinaninflammableatmosphere,shouldasfar aspossible,beavoided.
However, if it becomes necessary to have the installation in such a situation, it
shouldnotbevulnerabletofireexplosionrisks.

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11.0 PASystematRailwayStations

OnRailwaystationsthePAsystemisprovidedforautoannouncementthroughIPIS
(Integrated Passenger Information System) and manual announcement through
microphone for transmitting informations regarding train position/other
informationstopassengers andRailwaystaffworkingon Railwayplatforms/station
premises.

11.1 AutoAnnouncementSystem(PCBasedAnnouncementSystem)
[Para11.1isAspertelecommanualchapter21.6]

1. ItisanintegratedsystemtoworkasAutoAnnouncementPASystem,Displaysystem
& Coach Guidance announcing system. The system shall be capable of automatic
announcement with prerecorded voice prompt, which shall be stored in the hard
diskofthesystem.
2. The Data is entered by the data entry operator / Station Master by entering Train
number,arrival/departuretimeandstatusofthetraininthescreenformat.
3. Theselectedmassageisscrolledonthemonitorsothattheoperatorcanknowthe
announcement/DisplaybeingmadeonplatformPAsystemanddisplayboards.
4. PASystemsaretobeprovidedattheStationscoveringConcourse,Platformareaand
different locations. The type of Speakers, Mikes, Acoustical environment, Type of
Loudspeaker, Wiring and Cabling, Earthing and other Safety precaution should of
standardmakeandbeasperRDSOspecification.

11.1.1.Features

1. It shall be possible to choose any of the system to keep on or any of the system
remainingidle.
2. Messages announced on the Platform PA system shall synchronize with the
informationshownonthedisplayboard.
3. It shall be possible to add, modify and delete timings of the trains in the master
database,whichispassword,protected.
4. HotkeyshallbeusedfortransferringdatafromPCtovarioussystems.

11.1.2SystemConfiguration

SystemmainlyconsistsofStandardPCinwhichtheOperationalsoftwareisloadedto
run the systems i.e. PA System on platforms, Display system, Coach Guidance
AnnouncingSystem.

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11.2 SystemDescription

From MIC

MIC

COM 70V

To Speakers at platform 1

MIC

COM 70V

To Speakers at platform 2

MIC

COM 70V

To Speakers at platform 3

MIC

COM 70V

To Speakers at platform 4

100V

PRE AMP OUT AUX

AMPLIFIER 1

100V

PRE AMP OUT

AUX

AMPLIFIER 2

100V

PRE AMP OUT AUX

AMPLIFIER 3

100V

PRE AMP OUT

AUX

AMPLIFIER 4

FigNo.47InterconnectionofPASystemwithIPIS

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AsimplesketchforinterconnectionsofPAsystemwithIPISforautoannouncement
and also for manual announcement is shown in above figure. In this Diagram four
amplifiersareconnectedinsuchawayasgivenbelow:

PREAMPOUT(Preamplifierout)ofamplifierNo.1isconnectedtoAUX(auxiliary)of
amplifierNo.2.[Botharegenerallyprovidedatrearpanelofamplifier]

PRE AMP OUT of amplifier No.2 is connected to AUX of amplifier No.3. [Both are
generallyprovidedatrearpanelofamplifier]

PRE AMP OUT of amplifier No.3 is connected to AUX of amplifier No.4. [Both are
generallyprovidedatrearpanelofamplifier]

Iftheamplifiersaremorethenfourthantheywillalsoconnectinsimilarfashion.

Hereonlyfouramplifiershaveshownbutthenumbersandwattageofamplifierwill
increaseordecreasedasperload(Wattage)requirement.

Speakersinstalledatdifferentplatformsasperrequirementareconnectedwith100
Voltlineofeachamplifiersspeakerterminalstripwhichisgenerallyprovidedatrear
panel of the amplifier. A microphone is connected with any microphone input jack
socketprovidedatfrontpanelofAmplifierNo.1formanualannouncementtoentire
speakers. Volume of manual announcement can be control by Master Switch/
concernedMicrophoneVolumeControlSwitch.AudiooutfromIPISsystemisfedto
AUXsocketofAmplifierNo.1providedmostlyatrearpaneloftheamplifiersothat
the auto announcement from PC will be heard in all speakers. Volume of
announcementcanbecontrolbyMastercontrol/Microphonevolumecontrol/AUX
volumecontrolofAmplifier1.

12. FaultFinding

12.1 Noise

Noise is a very common, and sometimes a very difficult problem to solve. Noise
comesfrommanysources.Someofthemostcommonare:

PoorwiringinthelocationwheretheP.A.isbeingused

Fluorescentlights

Dimmers

Poordesign(particularlyshieldingandlocationofthemixer'spowertransformer)

Magneticfieldsinducedbyothernearbycomponents(particularlypoweramplifiers)

Radiostationsorothertransmittersinthearea

Largemotorsnearby

Groundingproblems(particularlywhenusingequipmentmanufacturedbydifferent
companies)

Noiseintheinputsignal(particularlyguitarpickups)

Poorcables(particularlyontheinputs)

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Most of these can be reduced or even eliminated by using high quality cables and
balanced lines. To check the source of the noise, unplug all inputs from the
mixer/amplifierinputjacksandobservenoise.Ifnoiseisdisappearedthenitisclear
thatthenoisewasdefinitelycomingfromsomethingthatarepluggingintotheinput
of the mixer/amplifierand not from the P.A. itself. Now start plugging the sources
back into the mixer/amplifier, one by one. Observe for noisy input. Take steps to
replacethenoisyinputsuchasmicrophone,cassetterecorder,guitaretc.

Ifnoiseisstilltherethanfollowfollowingfewsuggestions:

Changeyourcablestobetterqualityoneswithahighdegreeofshielding.
Whereverpossible,usebalancedsources(somemanufacturershavebothbalanced
andunbalancedoutputsontheirproducts.Iftheydo,changetobalanced.)
Useofabalancedcablewillevenimprovenoiseinunbalancedsourcesaslongasthe
mixerinputsarebalanced.
Usedirectboxeswherepossibleforinstrumentsbeingpluggedintothemixer.This
isolates the signal, converts any high impedance instruments to be balanced low
impedance and allows you to "lift" the grounds on these devices. We will able to
reduceoreliminatemanyradiosignals,buzzesandgroundhumswiththismethod.
Reducethelengthofthecables.
Makesuretheinputcablesarenotlyingtooclosetoatransformer,motor,amplifier
orothersourceofmagneticradiation.
Plugging the components of a P.A. system into different electrical outlets can
sometimes cause problems. Wherever possible, try to connect all parts of the P.A.
intothesamecircuit,evenifyouhavetorunextensioncordstoaccomplishthis.
Turnanylightsondimmersoff,orifthisisnotpossible,turnthemfullyon.
ReducethevolumeoutputontheAmplifiersanincreasetheoutputonyourmixer.
Thissometimessolvestheproblem.

12.2 FaultFindinginLiveProductions

Sometimesproblemsareduringsetuporsoundcheck,andoccasionallyduringthe
performanceitself.EveninfairlybasicPAsystemsthereareplentyofpossibilitiesfor
something to go wrong such as: leads can get pulled loose, batteries (even new
ones!) can die unexpectedly, and amplifiers can overheat and shut down. Our first
reactionsshallbeasgivenbelow:

i. Staycalm!Panickingorlosingyourtemperwithpeopleorequipmentwillnotmake
theproblemsolve.
ii. Focusyourattentioninunderstandingthatthesignalisreachingtoitsdestinationor
not.Ifnot,why?
iii. Be methodical. Don't change connections, leads and components at random. Start
diagnoses the problem along the signal path. Eliminate the possible causes of
failure..If amicrophoneisn'tworking,replaceit withoneyou knowtobeOK.Ifit
stilldoesn'twork,replacetheleadwithoneyouknowtobeOK.

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iv. Besafe.Electricitykills.Nevertakethecoversoffliveequipment(alwaysdisconnect
fromthemainsbeforeyoutakethecoveroffanything).Neverreplacefuseswithany
other conductor (wire, nails, and screws). If fuses keep blowing, the equipment is
faultyandpotentiallydangerous.Neverattemptrepairsthatneedbothhandswhile
youarehangingoffaladder.
v. Markfaultyequipment.Ifyoufindaleadisfaulty,don'tjustputitbackinthebag.
Markitfaultyinsomeobviousway&putittooneside,anddon'ttakeitoutagain
until it has been repaired and tested. The same goes for everything else, from
microphonetomixertomonitor.
vi. Mostofactualsystemfaultsarecausedbyfaultycables.Cablesmayfailatthesolder
points (bad soldering and poor strainrelief are the most common causes of this:
cheap cables and connectors are a false economy), and although this normally
resultsinlossofcontinuity,sometimesalooseendcanmakecontactwithoneofthe
otherconductors,causingshortcircuitconditions.Intheworstcase,thiscancause
failureofthepreamplifieroramplifierstagedrivingit.

12.3 Mainshum

Mains hum is a low frequency hum or buzz which increases in volume as thePA
systemisturned uplouder.Themostcommon reasons formainshum iswhentwo
piecesofmainspoweredequipmentareconnectedviaanaudiocable(e.g.jackplug).
Forexample,mainspoweredmonitorsconnectedtothemixer.

If there is a mains hum problem then first identify which piece of equipment is
causing theproblem. Disconnect all the equipment from the mains and also all the
connecting signal cables between the equipment. Now start introducing the
equipmentpiece bypiece untiltheproblemisnotice.Never,everremove anearth
wirefromamainsplugtoavoidtheproblem.

12.4 Feedback

Acoustic feedback will occur when the microphone picks up audio from the
loudspeakerandtransmitsitbackintotheamplifier.A"loop"ofsoundoccurswhich
buildsinintensitytoapiercingscream. Thisisusuallydueto thevolumebeingtoo
highorthemicrophonetooneartothespeaker.Thescreamwon'tstopuntiltheloop
ofsoundisnotbreakphysically.Everyvenuehasapointwherefeedbackcannotbe
avoided.Howeverfollowingpointstobenoted:

Isthemicrophoneisbeingusecorrectly.

Ifmicrophoneisfarawayfromthemouth.

Areusingmicrophonesarecheapastheymaymorepronetofeedback.

Areyourspeakerspositionedfarenoughinfrontofthelineofyourmicrophones.Try
movingthemforwardalittleatatime.

ChangetheangleofPAspeakers.Evenslightlychangingtheangleofthespeakerscan
affectfeedbackenormously.

Feedback occurs at varying frequencies. You may be able to adjust the EQ on the
mixertocutdownthefeedback.

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13.1

58

Precautions

DuringInstallation
Donotexposetheunittorainoranenvironmentwhereitmaybesplashedbywater
orotherliquids,asdoingsomayresultinfireorelectricshock.
Usetheunitonlywiththevoltagespecifiedontheunit.Usingavoltagehigherthan
thatwhichisspecifiedmayresultinfireorelectricshock.
Donotcut,kink,ormodifythepowersupplycord.Neverusedamagedpowersupply
cord. Avoid using the power cord in close proximity to heaters, and never place
heavyobjectsincludingtheunititselfonthepowercord,asdoingsomayresultin
fireorelectricshock.
Besuretoreplacetheunit'sterminalcoveraftercompletionofconnections.Because
high voltage is applied to the speaker terminals, never touch these terminals to
avoidelectricshock.
Be sure to ground to the safety ground (earth) terminal to avoid electric shock.
Nevergroundtoagaspipeasacatastrophicdisastermayresult.
Avoidinstallingormountingtheunitinunstablelocations,suchasonarickety
table or a slanted surface. Doing so may result in the unit falling down, causing
personalinjuryand/orpropertydamage.
Never plug in or remove the power supply plug with wet hands, as doing so may
causeelectricshock.
When unplugging the power supply cord, be sure to grasp the power supply plug;
neverpullonthecorditself.Operatingtheunitwithadamagedpowersupplycord
maycauseafireorelectricshock.
Whenmovingtheunit,besuretoremoveitspowersupplycordfromthewalloutlet.
Movingtheunitwiththepowercordconnectedtotheoutletmaycausedamageto
thepowercord,resultinginfireorelectricshock.Whenremovingthepowercord,
besuretoholditsplugtopull.
Do not block the ventilation slots in the unit's cover. Doing so may cause heat to
buildupinsidetheunitandresultinfire.
Avoid installing the unit in humid or dusty locations, in locations exposed to the
directsunlight,neartheheaters,orinlocationsgeneratingsootysmokeorsteam
asdoingotherwisemayresultinfireorelectricshock.
Alwaysusethickcableslikecabletype40/36forlowimpedancespeakerconnections
toavoidpowerlossesinthecable.
Do not exceed 90% of the amplifiers output power when using 100V line (Speech
only).
Donotexceed70%oftheamplifiersoutputpowerwhenusing100Vline(Highlevel
musicorvoice).
SpeakerConnections:LowImpedanceSpeakerImpedancetapsof4,8and16
have been provided for direct connection of speakers to the amplifier when the
distance between the amplifier and speakers is less than 50 meters. Use thicker
cableforconnections.Besurethatthetotalimpedanceofthespeakersisequaltoor
morethantheimpedancespecifiedontheterminalstrip.

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Phasing Of Loudspeakers: When two or more speakers/units are installed in the


same area and are facing in the same direction, it is essential that their cones/
diaphragms act in unison. Otherwise, the sound level of one speaker will be
canceling the sound level of the other. To avoid any mistake the terminals of all
driverunitsaremarkedL1andL2.
L 1 (+)
L2

L 1 (+)

(-)

L2

L 2 (-)
L 1 (+)

L1 (+)

(-)

To Amplifier

To Amplifier
L 1 (+)
L 2 (-)

Wrong
Connection

Right
Connection

L2 (-)

L2 (-)
To Amp
L1 (+)

L1 (+)
L2 (-)

Wrong
Connection

L1 (+)
To Amp
L2 (-)

Right
Connection

FigNo.48Wrong/Rightconnections

LoudspeakerConnections:Theloudspeakerconnectionsmustbemadetoonlyone
selectedimpedancei.e.eitherto"COM"and4orto"COM"and8"COM"and
16 terminals on the amplifier. When speakers are connected to any one of the
aboveimpedances,makesurethatnospeakerisconnectedtoeither70Vor100V
line output terminals. Making connections to two impedance tape simultaneously
willcauseoverloadinganddamagetotheamplifier.

Selection of Loudspeakers: Proper selection of column speakers/driver unitshorns


and their appropriate impedance matching to the amplifier, avoiding over loading
and short circuit while making connections are of utmost importance in speaker
installations. Any mistake made would not only result in inferior sound quality but
wouldalsobecomeacausefordamagetotheamplifier.

NeverconnectspeakerunitshavingLMTinseries.Theyshallbeconnectedinparallel
asshownbelow:

100V LMT
To Amplifier
100V LMT

To Amp
100V100V
LMT
LMT

Right Connection

FigNo.49Wrong/Rightconnections

Wrong Connection

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13.2 DuringOperation

If found following irregularity during operation, immediately switch off the


power,disconnectthepowersupplyplugfromtheACoutlet.Makenofurther
attempttooperatetheunitinthisconditionasthismaycausefireorelectricshock:

Ifyoudetectsmokeorastrangesmellcomingfromtheunit.
Ifwateroranymetallicobjectgetsintotheunit
Iftheunitfalls,ortheunitcasebreaks
Ifthepowersupplycordisdamaged(exposureofthecore,disconnection)
Ifitismalfunctioning(notonesounds.)

Topreventafireorelectricshock,neveropenorremovetheunitcaseasthereare
highvoltagecomponentsinsidetheunit.

Donotplacecups,bowls,orothercontainersofliquidormetallicobjectsontopof
theunit.Iftheyaccidentallyspillintotheunit,thismaycauseafireorelectricshock.

Do not insert or drop metallic objects or flammable materials in the ventilation


slotsoftheunitscover,asthismayresultinfireorelectricshock.

Do not place heavy objects on the unit as this may cause it to fall or break which
mayresultinpersonalinjuryand/orpropertydamage.Inaddition,theobjectitself
mayfalloffandcauseinjuryand/ordamage.

Make sure that the volume control is set to minimum position before power is
switchedon.Loudnoiseproducedathighvolumewhenpowerisswitchedoncans
thesounddistorting.Thisisanindicationofamalfunction,whichinturncancause
heattogenerateandresultinafire.

Remove the dust accumulated in the unit over a long period of time, a fire or
damagetotheunitmayresult.

If dust accumulates on the power supply plug or in the wall AC outlet, a fire may
result.Cleanitperiodically.Inaddition,insertthepluginthewalloutletsecurely.

Switch off the power, and unplug the power supply plug from the AC outlet for
safetypurposeswhencleaningorleavingtheunitunusedfor10daysormore.Doing
otherwisemaycauseafireorelectricshock.

Avoidjointingofmicrophonecables.Ifitisunavoidable,makesureagoodscreened
connectorisused.

Ensurethatallloudspeakersareinphasethereisnoshortcircuitontheloudspeaker
linebeforeconnectingtotheamplifier.

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