Rev. 3.0.0 Item no.
1. Important safety instructions 1. Important safety instructions Before using the device, be sure to carefully read the Safety Instructions. Keep this document with the device at all times. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 2 Read these instructions. Keep these instructions Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with a dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings.
1. Important safety instructions To completely disconnect this equipment from the AC mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle. The mains plug of the power supply cord shall remain readily operable. Français: Pour démonter complètement l’équipement de l’alimentation générale, démonter le câble d’alimentation de son réceptacle. La prise d’alimentation restera aisément fonctionnelle. To reduce risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
Table of Contents Table of Contents 1. Important safety instructions 1.1. Approvals 1.2. Warnings 2 2 2 2. Introduction 2.1. Welcome 2.2. Main Features 5 5 6 3. Installation 3.1. Unpacking 3.2. Mounting 3.3. Cooling 3.4. Operating Voltage 3.5. Grounding 8 8 8 8 9 9 4. Product Overview 4.1. Front Panel Overview 4.2. Rear panel 4.3. NomadLink / Ethernet network setup 10 10 12 13 5. Operation and performance 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Operation precautions 5.3.
2. Introduction 2. Introduction 2.1. Welcome Thank you for choosing LAB GRUPPEN C Series power amplifiers for your sound reinforcement system installation. We are confident that you will be very pleased with the performance, configuration flexibility, reliability, and long-term durability offered by the C Series products. This manual provides a comprehensive guide to the features and functionality of C Series model C 88:4, C 68:4, C 48:4, C 28:4 and C 16:4 amplifiers.
2. Introduction 2.2. Main Features Your new C Series amplifier incorporates a number of sophisticated technologies – many of them proprietary to LAB GRUPPEN – that are provided to ensure the best possible performance and many years of reliable operation. Familiarizing yourself with these technologies will prove invaluable in setting up and optimizing your loudspeaker system. 2.2.1. Class TD amplifier and Regulated Switch Mode Power Supply (R.
2. Introduction Following are short descriptions of standard built-in C Series protection features: • CPL (Current Peak Limiter) ensures that the amplifier’s output does not exceed the safe current handling parameters of amplifier components. • Temperature protection ensures that the amplifier will not be damaged by exceeding thermal limits. • PAL (Power Average Limiter) limits the maximum average power consumption according to the power supply and mains-breaker capabilities.
3. Installation 3. Installation 3.1. Unpacking Carefully open the shipping carton and check for any noticeable damage. Every LAB GRUPPEN amplifier is tested and inspected before leaving the factory and should arrive in perfect condition. If any damage is discovered, please notify the shipping company immediately. Only the consignee may institute a claim with the carrier for damage incurred during shipping. Save the carton and packing materials for the carrier’s inspection.
3. Installation To calculate the maximum heat emission value when installing the amplifiers in rooms with an air-conditioning system, please refer to the Current Draw and Thermal Emissions specifications provided in the Appendix (section 6.4). 3.4. Operating Voltage The label placed to the right of the mains cable on the rear of the amplifier indicates the AC mains voltage for which the amplifier is wired and approved: 115 V or 230 V.
4. Product Overview 4. Product Overview 4.1. Front Panel Overview The amplifier’s front panel presents the performance and fault condition indicators, power and remote switches, and a removable dust-filter cover. Four level potentiometers located behind the cover provide individual attenuation for the four amplifier channels. Range is 0 dB to - infinity. The 12 o’clock position indicates -10 dB attenuation. A label area is located beneath the LED display.
4. Product Overview 4.1.2.
4. Product Overview 4.2. Rear panel 200-240V 44dB 41dB 38dB 35dB 32dB 29dB 26dB 23dB C 88:4 50-60Hz :2500W Must be grounded/earthed Made in Sweden Mains input 115 V and 230 V operation (Not selectable) 141V* 118V 100V** 85V *100Vrms NomadLink network In and Out on EtherCon-housed RJ45 connections Ser.
4. Product Overview 4.3. NomadLink / Ethernet network setup The amplifier includes, as a standard feature, internal facilities for the NomadLink monitoring and control network. All features of the NomadLink network are accessible via a PC running LAB GRUPPEN’s proprietary DeviceControl software. A single rackspace NLB 60E NomadLink Bridge & Network Controller accepts the TCP/IP data stream from the computer and converts it to the NomadLink protocols.
4. Product Overview ETHERNET GENERAL NOMADLINK PURPOSE IN OUT INPUT, GPI ETHERNET 1 1 Crossed RJ45 Ethernet cable between NLB 60E and PC. If bridge is connected to switch of HUB, use " straight " cable. PC can also be connected on front panel. 2 IN OUT NOMADLINK 2 " Straight " RJ45 cables between bridge and amplifiers IN OUT NOMADLINK 14 C SERIES Operation Manual rev 3.0.
5. Operation and performance 5. Operation and performance 5.1. Introduction The following sections provide comprehensive information on amplifier connection, setup, operation, and performance. The detailed information included here is essential to realizing the full functionality of the C Series amplifiers. 5.2.
5. Operation and performance adjust system settings and thereby avoid problems. In the rare event that conditions are extraordinarily severe, the amplifier will shut down until the fault or problem setting has been rectified or adjusted. These sensing circuits are also employed to feed back voltage and current level information, via a side chain, to the limiters. Sensing circuits also transmit local amplifier module temperature and power supply temperature to the appropriate protection mechanisms.
5. Operation and performance 5.4. Audio Input and Output connections, setup and features 5.4.1. Balanced / Unbalanced Input connection Two electronically balanced Phoenix-type inputs are available. Follow the +,– and Ground labels when connecting the input signal. If an unbalanced connection is desired this can be achieved by summing the minus (“COLD”) and Ground terminals and using the + terminal as the “HOT” signal.
5. Operation and performance NOTE: When linking the same source signal to several input channels, be aware that there is a limit to the number of channels an output source can “drive”. A typical output source (e.g. a DSP crossover unit) can drive up to four amplifier channels before external line-drivers might be required to buffer the signal. 5.4.2. Output operation and connection Screw-terminal connectors with + and – poles are provided at each channel output for connection of the speakers.
5. Operation and performance 5.4.4. Amplifier Input Gain All C Series amplifiers feature adjustable input gain. This versatility enables the amplifier to accommodate a multitude of system configurations with various input sources and speaker layouts. Amplifier gain is set globally for all four channels. The range is +23 dB to +44 dB in 3 dB steps. Individual channel fine level adjustment is available using the potentiometers on the front panel.
5. Operation and performance 5.4.5. Output Voltage Peak Limiter (VPL) The Voltage Peak Limiter (VPL) is a unique feature in C Series amplifiers. It is used to select the maximum power available on each output channel. Four levels can be set using the DIP-switches on the amplifier’s rear panel. V peak Vrms 141 100 118 84 100 70 85 60 71 50 59 42 50 35 42 30 The values for VPL are displayed as maximum Voltage Peak.
5. Operation and performance • • • • • C 88:4, 35.5 Arms per channel C 68:4, 24.5 Arms per channel C 48:4, 17.5 Arms per channel C 28:4, 12 Arms per channel C 16:4, 8.5 Arms per channel CPL activity is indicated by illumination of an orange LED for each channel on the front-panel. Warnings also are shown in the DeviceControl software’s GUI. A steadily illuminated orange CPL LED indicates a short circuit situation (or very low impedance).
5. Operation and performance 5.5. GPIO connection and operation 5.5.1. Introduction The C Series amplifiers incorporate a sophisticated and comprehensive set of protection features. Faults and warnings are indicated on the front-panel and reported via the NomadLink network for indication on the DeviceControl GUI. 5.5.2.
5. Operation and performance The Attack time for the VHF protection is increasingly shorter at higher frequencies. For example, an ultrasonic continuous signal will cause the outputs to mute rapidly, where it will take several milliseconds for a 10 kHz continuous signal to trigger the output mute. This is shown in the illustration above. The VHF protection is NOT a limiter and does not alter the amplifier’s frequency response. It is implemented solely to detect continuous VHF content.
5. Operation and performance at six second intervals to re-measure conditions. If the low-impedance fault is no longer detected, the amplifier will un-mute. NOTE: If the CPL turns constant orange, the output is muted, and the -4 dB signal LED is ON, then the amplifier has gone into maximum current protection. This situation is caused by an excessive input signal and is not due to a short circuit. Turn down the input signal to avoid or remedy this situation. 5.5.7.
5. Operation and performance Several amplifiers will, under normal conditions, be able to be powered up simultaneously. If you do experience problems powering up multiple amplifiers simultaneously (normally experienced only in very large installations), use the NomadLink network and the NLB60E to establish a power sequence with pre-set delays before the start-up of each subsequent amplifier. 5.6. Front-panel monitoring 5.6.1.
5. Operation and performance 5.6.2. Level adjust Level adjust potentiometers (one per channel) are located behind the removable dust-filter cover on the amplifier’s front-panel. It is not possible to adjust the level settings with the cover in place. Step Attenuation Step Attenuation 1 (Min) -Inf. dB 12 2 -Inf. dB 13 -8.7 dB -7.4 dB 3 -50 dB 14 -6.0 dB 4 -40 dB 15 -4.5 dB 5 -35 dB 16 -2.7 dB 6 -21.5 dB 17 -0.6 dB 7 -21.5 dB 18 -0.3 dB 8 -14.7 dB 19 -0.1 dB 9 -12.
5. Operation and performance • CPL, Current Peak Limiter (orange), when flashing indicates the maximum possible current draw has been reached. • CPL, Current Peak Limiter (orange), when constant indicates excessive current draw caused by a short circuit on the output or very low operational impedance. When detected, the output will mute for six seconds before re-measuring the output impedance. This will continue until the short circuit is removed.
5. Operation and performance 5.7.2. Connection and setup The NomadLink network requires use of an NLB 60E NomadLink Bridge & Network Controller. The NomadLink network is established by connecting the NLB 60E OUT port to the first amplifier’s IN port. Then a daisy-chain is established by connecting the first amplifier’s OUT port to the next amplifier’s IN port, and so on.
5. Operation and performance 5.7.4. Ethernet network cable lengths The connection between the NLB 60E and your PC is a standard Ethernet network running the TCP/IP protocol. Cable distances between NLB 60E and your PC follow standard rules for Ethernet systems. Contact your an IT expert or an authoritative source for more details.
5. Operation and performance 5.7.5. DeviceControl software DeviceControl is LAB GRUPPEN’s proprietary software application for monitoring and controlling networked FP+ Series and other LAB GRUPPEN NomadLink-ready power amplifier. DeviceControl runs on a Windows PC, which connects via Ethernet to the NLB 60E NomadLink Bridge & Network Controller. DeviceControl provides comprehensive monitoring of amplifier status as well as control of amplifier power on/off and individual channel mute and solo functions.
6. Appendix 6. Appendix 6.1. Maintenance During normal operation your C Series amplifier will provide trouble-free service. The only user maintenance required is to periodically vacuum clean the foam dust filters behind the front grille. In some extreme cases it may be necessary for authorized service personnel to clean the inside of the amplifier. These conditions usually occur after prolonged use in extreme environments such as those using “cracked oil” smoke machines.
6. Appendix Q: How can I be sure that no protection circuits or safety functions interfere with the output signal? A: If no Clip or Warning LEDs on the front panel light up, you can be fully confident that the rated maximum output power in the full frequency range is available for your speakers. No limiting or gain-reduction takes place without a warning or fault indication. 6.3.
CH|A CH|B TEMP VHF CPL VPL | CLIP -4dB -10dB SIG | HI-IMP MUTE FAULT BRIDGE CH|C PAL OPTION BRIDGE CH|D TEMP VHF CPL VPL | CLIP -4dB -10dB SIG | HI-IMP POWER BRIDGE REMOTE MUTE FAULT 6. Appendix POWER BRIDGE LABEL AREA C88:4 6.4.
CH|A 6. Appendix CH|B TEMP VHF CPL VPL | CLIP -4dB -10dB SIG | HI-IMP MUTE FAULT BRIDGE CH|C POWER PAL OPTION BRIDGE CH|D TEMP VHF CPL VPL | CLIP -4dB -10dB SIG | HI-IMP BRIDGE REMOTE MUTE FAULT POWER BRIDGE LABEL AREA C68:4 C SERIES The following tables contain information on measured current consumption as well as calculated heat dissipation during normal operation (1/8 rated power); and during extreme heavy duty operation (1/4 rated power).
CH|A CH|B TEMP VHF CPL VPL | CLIP -4dB -10dB SIG | HI-IMP MUTE FAULT BRIDGE CH|C POWER PAL OPTION BRIDGE CH|D TEMP VHF CPL VPL | CLIP -4dB -10dB SIG | HI-IMP BRIDGE REMOTE MUTE FAULT 6. Appendix POWER BRIDGE LABEL AREA C48:4 C SERIES The following tables contain information on measured current consumption as well as calculated heat dissipation during normal operation (1/8 rated power); and during extreme heavy duty operation (1/4 rated power).
CH|A 6. Appendix CH|B TEMP VHF CPL VPL | CLIP -4dB -10dB SIG | HI-IMP MUTE FAULT BRIDGE CH|C POWER PAL OPTION BRIDGE CH|D TEMP VHF CPL VPL | CLIP -4dB -10dB SIG | HI-IMP BRIDGE REMOTE MUTE FAULT POWER BRIDGE LABEL AREA C28:4 C SERIES The following tables contain information on measured current consumption as well as calculated heat dissipation during normal operation (1/8 rated power); and during extreme heavy duty operation (1/4 rated power).
CH|A CH|B TEMP VHF CPL VPL | CLIP -4dB -10dB SIG | HI-IMP MUTE FAULT BRIDGE CH|C POWER PAL OPTION BRIDGE CH|D TEMP VHF CPL VPL | CLIP -4dB -10dB SIG | HI-IMP BRIDGE REMOTE MUTE FAULT 6. Appendix POWER BRIDGE LABEL AREA C16:4 C SERIES The following tables contain information on measured current consumption as well as calculated heat dissipation during normal operation (1/8 rated power); and during extreme heavy duty operation (1/4 rated power).
7. Technical Specifications 7. Technical Specifications Model C 88:4 C 68:4 C 48:4 C 28:4 C 16:4 C 20:8X C 10:8X C 10:4X C 5:4X Number of channels 4 4 4 4 4 8 8 4 4 Peak total output all channels driven 8800 W 6800 W 4800 W 2800 W 1600 W 2000 W 1000 W 1000 W 500 W Peak output voltage per channel 141 V 141 V 141 V 141 V 141 V 100 V 100 V 100 V 100 V Max. output current per channel 35.5 Arms 24.5 Arms 17.5 Arms 12 Arms 8.5 Arms 8 Arms 5.6 Arms 8 Arms 5.
8. Warranty and Support 8. Warranty and Support 8.1. General This product is manufactured by LAB GRUPPEN, and it is warranted to be free from any defects caused by components or factory workmanship, under normal use and service, for a period of six (6) years from date of purchase from an authorized LAB GRUPPEN dealer.
8. Warranty and Support 8.2.2. Factory service In the event a LAB GRUPPEN product requires factory service, you may contact LAB GRUPPEN’s service department for return instructions and a Return Authorization number. Please note for product return: 1. Use the original packing. 2. Include a copy of the sales receipt, your name, return address, phone and fax number, email address and description of the defect. 3. Mark the Return Authorization number on the outside of the packing.
Notes Notes C SERIES Operation Manual rev 3.0.
Notes Notes 42 C SERIES Operation Manual rev 3.0.
C SERIES Operation Manual rev 3.0.
Intercooler, Class TD, R.SMPS, VPL, BEL, UVL and CAL are national and/or international trademarks or registered trademarks of Music Group. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. Copyright © 2016 MUSIC Group Innovation Sweden AB. All rights reserved. Item no. OM-CS labgruppen.
