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Summary of Contents for QSC PL218A
- Page 1 POWERLIGHT 2A User Manual Manuel de l’utilisateur Bedienhandbuch Manual del Usario *TD-000089-00* TD-000089-00 Rev.B PL2A Audio Power Amplifiers with Analog Signal Processing • PL218A • PL224A • PL230A • PL236A...
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Page 2: Explanation Of Graphical Symbols
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio or TV technician for help. © Copyright 2000, 2007 QSC Audio Products, Inc. QSC® is a registered trademark of QSC Audio Products, Inc. PowerLight™ is a trademark of QSC Audio Products, Inc. -
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Fan Cooling & AC Mains...20 CONNECTIONS: Inputs...21 Outputs...22 SECURITY PANEL USE & INSTALLATION...24 OPERATION: Gain Controls...25 AC Power Switch...25 Front Panel LED Indicators...25 Normal operating levels...25 TROUBLESHOOTING...26 TECHNICAL OVERVIEW & BLOCK DIAGRAM...28 SPECIFICATIONS...30 WARRANTY INFORMATION...32 HOW TO CONTACT QSC AUDIO PRODUCTS...32 BLANK SETUP SHEETS...33... -
Page 4: Pl2A Series Overview
INTRODUCTION: PL2A OVERVIEW Thank you for the purchase of your new POWERLIGHT 2A amplifier. To get the most out of your amplifier, review this manual carefully. The installation and operation sections provide proper connection and operation guidelines. The POWERLIGHT 2A expands upon the features of the POWERLIGHT 2. The flexibility, user-friendliness and reliability of this amplifier will make it a valuable part of your system for years to come. -
Page 5: Rear Panel
INTRODUCTION: PL2A OVERVIEW REAR PANEL DataPort Terminal block inputs Configuration switches XLR inputs Speakon outputs Binding post outputs Cooling air inlet vents Serial number label IEC connector for AC power cord Power cord retaining clip (install on item 8) SIDE PANEL Low pass delay network SIP* socket (J5) Crossover frequency network SIP socket (J4) Subaudio filter push-button switches (1 per... -
Page 6: Features & Setup
FEATURES & SETUP- REAR PANEL SWITCHES: INPUT CONFIGURATION- This switch selects between STEREO or PARALLEL input configuration. The indicator LED’s above the switch confirm the switch setting. STEREO: Each input is sent to its respective channel. Each channel has independent subaudio filtering, clip limiting, gain control, and outputs. In STEREO mode, a full-frequency signal may be presented to each channel. -
Page 7: Mode
FEATURES & SETUP- REAR PANEL SWITCHES: MODE- This switch selects between BI-AMP, 2 CH, or BRIDGE modes of operation. The indicator LED’s above the switch confirm the selection. BI-AMP: This puts the amplifier into a “crossover” mode. CH 1 receives the low frequencies and CH 2 is receives the high frequencies. -
Page 8: Dataport Input Signal
FEATURES & SETUP- REAR PANEL SWITCHES: DATAPORT INPUT SIGNAL- This switch selects the regular inputs or the DataPort inputs, and allows the DataPort to enter before or after the analog processing. WARNING: There is no DataPort “flag” for this setting, so the appropriate setting must be confirmed manually. -
Page 9: Gain-Sensitivity Select
FEATURES & SETUP- REAR PANEL SWITCHES: GAIN-SENSITIVITY SELECT GAIN-SENSITIVITY SELECT- This switch selects the gain structure of the amplifier. Each channel runs through a gain buffer which allows all models to have either a uniform 1.2 Vrms input sensitivity or a uniform 26 or 32 dB of voltage gain (all measured with the GAIN controls at maximum). -
Page 10: Side Panel Switches
FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL SWITCHES: SUBAUDIO FILTER and SUBAUDIO FREQUENCY The side panel cover plate must be removed to access the side panel switches. CH1 SUBAUDIO FILTER, CH2 SUBAUDIO FILTER- These push-button switches are used to turn on or off the SUBAUDIO FILTER for each channel. Press the switch in for ON ; the green LED illuminates when the filter is ON. -
Page 11: Lo Frequency Delay And Hf Atten
FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL SWITCHES: LO FREQ DELAY and HF ATTEN LO FREQ DELAY- This switch is active only when the amplifier is in BI-AMP mode. This switch controls an additional analog delay which adds to the inherent delay of the low frequency filter. -
Page 12: Horn Boost
FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL SWITCHES: HORN BOOST HORN BOOST- These switches are only active when the amplifier is in BI-AMP mode. These switches work in combination to control the amount of high-frequency horn boost. The horn boost is adjustable from 0 to 14dB in 2dB steps as measured at 20 kHz. Add the values of the selected switches for the total boost. -
Page 13: Power Limiter
FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL SWITCHES: POWER LIMITER: Each channel has its own limiter with independently adjustable threshold and time con- stants. A ten-section switch for each channel controls the limiter settings. LIMITER ACTIVITY LED’s: Just below the CH 1 and CH 2 labels you will note a clear circle which has a yellow LED behind it. - Page 14 FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL SWITCHES: FAST- Set both POWER LIMITER SPEED switches to FAST. This setting produces 20 milliseconds (0.020 seconds) of release time. The AVG mode will produce 8 milliseconds of attack time, and PEAK mode will produce less than 1 millisecond of attack time. This setting will have low distortion down to about 1 kHz. It is suitable for high frequency protection, but will cause a distinctly “muddy”...
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Page 15: Clip Limiter
FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL SWITCHES: POWER LIMITER TRACKING- continued The high frequency driver requires a lower power threshold and fast limiting response. Try the FAST setting and the PEAK mode. Short peaks will be limited aggressively, but signals will return to normal almost instantly. This response (fast with low threshold) would have too much “ducking” and low frequency distortion for use with full range material. Once each driver has optimal protection, you need to make them work properly together. -
Page 16: Crossover & Delay Sip Networks
FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL: SIP RESISTOR NETWORK INSTALLATION GUIDELINES AND SELECTION INFORMATION Your PL2A amplifier is shipped configured to order with SIP networks installed. If the factory set up is not applicable for your application,then you will need to know your desired crossover frequency and low frequency delay time in order to select the corresponding SIP resistor network values. - Page 17 FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL: Turn the power to the amplifier off before removing or installing SIPs! The SIPs may be installed “either way”. The SIPs are symmetrical and thus perform identically no matter which end points to the left or right. This completely eliminates “polarity”...
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Page 18: Dataport, Front Panel Leds, Gain Controls-Basic Overview
FEATURES & SETUP: DATAPORT, FRONT PANEL LED INDICATORS, GAIN CONTROLS DATAPORT CONNECTOR The PL2A amplifier features a QSC DataPort connector which connects to accessory products to enhance your amplifier application. The CM16a Amplifier Network Monitor can remotely control and monitor your PL2A amplifier. The DSP-3 digital signal processor can mount directly to the rear of your PL2A amplifier, adding an incredible amount of processing power in a small, powerful module at a very competitive price. -
Page 19: Rack Mounting & Mounting Dimensions
INSTALLATION: RACK MOUNTING AND MOUNTING DIMENSIONS Before installing into equipment rack: ensure that all side-access DIP switches and crossover SIPs are setup as desired. They will be impossible (or extremely difficult) to change after the amplifier is installed in the rack. The side cover plate should be installed to keep dust and foreign material out of the chassis. -
Page 20: Installation
INSTALLATION: FAN COOLING & AC MAINS FAN COOLING The fan varies speed automatically to maintain safe internal temperatures and minimize noise. Keep the front and rear vents clear to allow full air flow. Hot air exhausts out the front of the amp so it does not heat the interior of the rack. Make sure that plenty of cool air can enter the rack, especially if there are other units which exhaust hot air into it. -
Page 21: Inputs
CONNECTIONS: INPUTS INPUTS Each channel has active balanced "Euro-style" terminal block and XLR jacks wired in parallel. The input impedance is 12 kOhm balanced or 6 kOhm unbalanced. Each channel's input jacks are wired in parallel. Unused input jacks may be daisy-chained to additional amplifiers if desired. Balanced connection is recommended. -
Page 22: Outputs
CONNECTIONS: OUTPUTS OUTPUTS: PL2A amplifiers offer a choice of output connections; Neutrik NL4MD Speakon jacks and "touch-proof" binding post outputs. SPEAKER CABLING: Always use the largest wire size and shortest length of wire practical for any given installation. Larger wire sizes and shorter lengths minimize power loss and degradation of damping factor. - Page 23 CONNECTIONS: OUTPUTS Binding post outputs Three connection methods may be used to connect to the binding post output terminals: • wire inserted from the side then the retaining nut is tightened • spade terminal inserted from the side then the knurled retaining nut is tightened •...
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Page 24: Security Panel Use & Installation
SECURITY PANEL USE & INSTALLATION Right: a POWERLIGHT 2A amplifier with security panel installed A droite: le panneau avant avec plaquette protectrice installée Rechts: ein POWERLIGHT 2A-Verstärker mit Sicherheitsabdeckung Derecha: un amplificador PL2 Acon el panel de seguridad instalado SECURITY PANEL After setting the gain controls, you can install the security panel to prevent tampering and accidental misadjustment. -
Page 25: Operation
OPERATION GAIN CONTROLS Turn down the gain controls before applying power. The gain controls are detented 21 steps for repeatable adjustment. Surrounding the gain control knob, the attenuation level is shown in dB. The gain structure may be selected on the PL2A. On the rear panel you will find a switch labeled GAIN-SENSITIVITY SELECT ; you may select from +4 dB input sensitivity, 32 dB or 26 dB of voltage gain. -
Page 26: Troubleshooting
TROUBLESHOOTING: NO SOUND Problem: NO SOUND • INDICATION: POWER INDICATOR NOT LIT • Check the AC plug. • Confirm that the AC outlet works by plugging in another device. If too many amplifiers are used on one outlet, the building's circuit breaker may trip and shut off power. •... - Page 27 TROUBLESHOOTING: DISTORTION, NO CHANNEL SEPARATION, HUM, HISS, FEEDBACK PROBLEM: DISTORTED SOUND • INDICATION: CLIP LED FLASHING • If the red CLIP indicator flashes before all three signal indicators do, the load impedance is abnormally low or shorted. Unplug each speaker one-by-one at the amplifier. If the CLIP LED goes out when you disconnect a cable, that cable or speaker is shorted.
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Page 28: Technical Overview & Block Diagram
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW: BLOCK DIAGRAM & OPERATIONAL DETAILS An impressive amount of PowerLight™ Technology. High current switching devices draw over 10,000 watts of peak power from the main energy reservoir, which technology is packed "under the is replenished directly from the AC line for maximum stiffness. Conventional amplifiers must isolate the energy bank with a large AC hood"... - Page 29 TECHNICAL OVERVIEW: BLOCK DIAGRAM & OPERATIONAL DETAILS High Performance Audio. High speed power transistors convert this DC power into the full range audio output which drives the speakers. High-current design and special dual-sense output feedback corrects errors on both sides of the speaker terminals, improving damping and control of speaker motion. The power devices are directly mounted to isolated heat sinks, which form a short, wide air tunnel in front of the fan for optimum cooling.
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Page 30: Specifications
INPUT SENSITIVITY, V switch position for rated power into 8 ohms for rated power into 4 ohms INPUT CLIPPING, Vrms (all models) INPUT IMPEDANCE (all models) CONTROLS (all models) PL218A PL224A 1200 1100 1500 1800 2400 less than 2 dB at 4 ohms Less than 0.01%... - Page 31 S P E C I F I C AT I O N S PL218A INDICATORS (all models) Front: POWER: Green LED, STANDBY: POWER LED 1/2 brightness, BRIDGED: Yellow LED, PARALLEL: Orange LED, BI-AMP: Blue LED, CLIP/Protect: Red LED, Back: STEREO: Green LED, PARALLEL: Orange LED, BI-AMP: Blue LED, 2 CH: Green LED, BRIDGE: Yellow LED, DATAPORT PRE PROC: Blue LED,...
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Page 32: Warranty Information
WARRANTY INFORMATION & HOW TO CONTACT QSC AUDIO PRODUCTS WARRANTY (USA only; other countries, see your dealer or distributor) Disclaimer QSC Audio Products, Inc. is not liable for any damage to speakers, amplifiers, or any other equipment that is caused by negligence or improper installation and/or use of the PL2A amplifier. -
Page 33: Blank Setup Sheets
SETUP SHEET FOR PL2A AMPLIFIERS Use these handy sheets to mark your switch positions for various setups. Each switch position has been “blanked” out so that you may place an “X” or a check- mark to indicate the setting of each switch for future reference. Copy these blanks so that you have several copies. - Page 34 SETUP SHEET FOR PL2A AMPLIFIERS Use these handy sheets to mark your switch positions for various setups. Each switch position has been “blanked” out so that you may place an “X” or a check- mark to indicate the setting of each switch for future reference. Copy these blanks so that you have several copies.
- Page 35 QSC Audio Products, Inc. 1675 MacArthur Boulevard Costa Mesa, California 92626 USA “QSC” and the QSC logo are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. ©2000, 2007 QSC Audio Products, Inc.
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