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Contacta VLD1 Installation & User Manual

Vehicle hearing loop driver
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VLD1
Vehicle Hearing Loop Driver
Installation &
User Guide
January 2025
1

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Summary of Contents for Contacta VLD1

  • Page 1 VLD1 Vehicle Hearing Loop Driver Installation & User Guide January 2025...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Hearing Loop Setup & Commissioning Troubleshooting LED Indicators Standards Specifications Contacta has a policy of continuous product development, therefore small specification changes may not be reflected in this manual. Images, labels, packaging, accessories and product colours are subject to change without notice.

  • Page 3: Product Overview

    Product Overview The Contacta VLD1 is a compact dual output Audio Frequency Hearing Loop Driver for use on passenger vehicles. It is designed to improve communication with all passengers through improved speech intelligibility and signal to noise ratio. The driver uses advanced class D amplifiers and integrated switching power supply offering maximum efficiency.

  • Page 4: Safety Instructions

    Safety Instructions Read and keep these instructions. 2. Heed all warnings. 3. Follow all instructions. 4. Do not use this apparatus near water. 5. Clean only with dry cloth. 6. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 7. Do not install near any heat source. 8.

  • Page 5: Components

    7. 3x 2 Pin Connectors 8. 4 Pin Connector 9. Connector Tool Related Document: VLD1 Software User Guide, available in the Resources section of the Contacta Systems Ltd website: www.contacta.co.uk/resources Loop & Equipment: A hearing loop determined by the loop design is also required.

  • Page 6: Connections

    Connections Earthing Point DC Power Input USB Input Audio Inputs - B1, B2, A Line Out and SPDIF Input Enables and Status Loop Outputs...

  • Page 7: Dc Power Input

    1. Earthing Point A location is provided for earthing the product to the vehicle; this is not a safety earth, but is required for EMC performance and is required for proper fault detection. An M6 bolt and serrated washer are included within the kit for this purpose.

  • Page 8: Usb Input

    USB Type B 4. Audio Inputs - B1, B2, A All adjustments for the audio inputs are made via the Contacta VLD1 GUI, accessed by connecting a PC to the USB connection. Inputs B1 and B2 are connected in parallel.
  • Page 9 Pin No Pin Description High Level Audio in (Hot) High Level Audio in (Cold) Line Level Audio in (Cold) Line Level Audio in (Hot) Line/Mic in (Hot) Line/Mic in (GND) Voltage Current Frequency Notes Nominal Max/Min Typical 20Vrms-1Vrms <1mA 100Hz -5000Hz Transformer Isolated 1Vrms (0dBV) 2Vrms-0.01Vrms...
  • Page 10 One pair is normally open, and the other is normally closed. These can be connected to external circuits or systems. Should the VLD1 detect a fault the relay will operate. This will open the normally closed contacts and close the normally open contacts.
  • Page 11 Enables EN1 and EN2 These inputs can be configured in the GUI to perform various operations such as muting inputs or enabling low power mode. For details on how to configure the enable please refer to the “Transport Driver Software and Setup Guide”. Pin No Pin Description Enable Return...

  • Page 12: Status Output

    7. Status Output The relay on the VLD1 has three terminals: COM (Common), NC (Normally Closed), and NO (Normally Open). • When no power is applied to the unit or if a fault is detected during start-up, the relay remains in its default state, with the COM and NC terminals connected.

  • Page 13: Hearing Loop Setup & Commissioning

    Hearing Loop Setup & Commissioning The initial set up of a hearing loop system should only performed by a fully trained and qualified professional. The results and settings for this initial setup procedure can be used on subsequent installations if: •...
  • Page 14 This manual provides instructions and includes screenshots taken directly from the Contacta VLD1 GUI software. To access the Contacta VLD1 GUI, please get in touch with your main sales representative or point of contact at Contacta. This survey should be performed by an engineer or technician trained in the design and installation of an AFILS (Audio Frequency Induction Loop System) to BS 60118-4:2014.

  • Page 15: Step 1: Metal Loss

    Step 1: Metal Loss Effect of magnetic and electrically conducting materials Metal used in the construction of vehicles will have an impact on the frequency response performance of an AFILS system. It is important that the final hearing loop system be designed to overcome the effects of metal loss, ensuring adequate field strength and frequency response.
  • Page 16 2. Place the FSM in the in the centre of the hearing loop under test. 3. Switch on the Pink Noise Setting on the Test Signal Generator on the GUI. It will flash red to indicate once it is on. 4.

  • Page 17: Step 2: Output Level

    7. Set the FSM to the Frequency Octave F = 5000 Hz setting. 8. Measure field strength and record the value. 9. Set the FSM to the Frequency Octave F = 100 Hz setting. 10. Measure field strength and record the value. This concludes the testing.
  • Page 18 It will flash red to indicate it is on. 2. Set the FSM to Meter Mode. 3. Adjust the drive level to achieve 2A of output current. 4. Measure the field strength. Achieve 0dB by using the FSM’s indicated field strength to work out the additional current required.
  • Page 19 Under some circumstances (such as surveying) it may be necessary to use only a single loop output. If a loop output is left unconnected the VLD1 will correctly detect that there is not a loop connected (open circuit) at start up and display a fault and lockout.
  • Page 20 Move the FSM to other user positions within the looped area and record the values measured by the FSM. 4. The differences measured in other positions should not be greater than +/- 3dB of that measured in the first position. 5.

  • Page 21: Step 6: Input Signal Level Adjustment

    both outputs (A and B) simultaneously. No Phase Shift: The signal is combined then delivered to both outputs without any phase alteration. Shared Controls: The inputs are combined; the controls for AGC, HPF, and HFC from Input B (AGC B, HPF B, HFC B) are therefore used to control the combined signal.
  • Page 22 ‘Save settings from driver to config file’. Choose a name and location for the config file. 5. Setup of the VLD1 is now complete. Continue to Step 7. Step 7: Signage It is vital to make passengers aware that there is an AFILS installed and available in the vehicle.

  • Page 23: Troubleshooting

    Step 1: Check there is power to the system, LED 1 should be Illumi- nated when the power to the VLD1 is present and within the correct voltage range. If this LED is lit move to Step 4 Step 2: Check the power connection on the rear of the VLD1.
  • Page 24 If the voltage is present and within-range, then there is an issue with the unit, and it should be removed for further investigation. Step 4: If the LED is lit connect a windows laptop to the VLD1 and run and connect the GUI.
  • Page 25 Contacta TSG set to a 1KHz sine signal. If the input LEDs are still not lit, then there is an issue with the unit, and it should be removed for further investigation. Step 7a: The microphone input provides a DC supply voltage for the microphone.
  • Page 26 Wago connector and the loop. Step 9: Check the loop connections on the rear of the VLD1. Step 10: If the connection looks ok, disconnect the loop connections and connect a Contacta IL-VLD-01 loops to the output.
  • Page 27 If the measurement is less than 0.5Ω there could be a short between the conductors of the feeder cable or loop. This should be investigated further. GUI Status and Fault Monitoring If no faults are detected, then “No Fault Detected” is displayed in green.
  • Page 28 This will require fault finding to rectify the situation before the driver will work again. B. Open Circuit Loop Connection: “Loop Open Fault” will be displayed on the GUI. Output A shown in the above example. A loop open fault occurs when there is a break in either the connection between the driver and the loop or the loop itself.

  • Page 29: When Operating

    Remove the power and allow the unit to cool for 10 minutes, then reapply the power and check for correct operation. Status Relay and LEDs If any of the above faults are detected at start up, the outputs will be disabled, and the relay will change the status of the connected LED to red from green.
  • Page 30 For example a loop with dimensions 4100mm (161.4”) X 450mm (17.7”) using 5 turns of 2.5csa cable and driven at 5A requires 11.14 volts, adding another turn requires 16 volts, the VLD1 maximum output is 15 volts. What to do if more current is required The recommended solution is to run two loops in parallel (see image on the following page).
  • Page 31 This image shows how the connections needed to run two loops in parallel. It is important that the loops are connected exactly as shown. If one of the loop connections are reversed, then the field strength will be reduced due to cancellation as the currents will flow in opposite directions.

  • Page 32: Gui Settings

    A single loop can be used instead if this suits installation needs. GUI Settings The signal routing of the VLD1 should be set to “All inputs -> output A and B, no phase shift” as shown in image 2 above.
  • Page 33 6dB increase in field strength. Table 1 Driver Loop Total Loop Field Strength Turns Current Current Current Gain Loop A 5.00A 25.00A 25.00A 0.00dB Loop B 5.00A 5.00A 30.00A 1.58dB Loop B 5.00A 10.00A 35.00A 2.92dB Loop B 5.00A 15.00A 40.00A 4.08dB Loop B...

  • Page 34: Led Indicators

    LED Indicators Power – Illuminated when the power to the VLD1 is present and within the correct voltage range. 2. Input A – Illuminated when there is a signal present at input A. The pre-amp gain must be set correctly.

  • Page 35: Specifications

    Microphone Input Frequency Range 100Hz-9kHz (microphone bias: optimized for Contacta Topology Single-ended capacitively coupled microphones) Microphone Bias Optimised for Contacta microphones Connection SPDIF [Optional extra feature] Encoding PCM 16 bit 1 x Digital Audio Input Sample Rate 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 96KHz Voltage >12Vrms...
  • Page 36 Local dealer: UK & ROW US & Canada +44 (0) 1732 223900 +1 616 392 3400 sales@contacta.co.uk info@contactainc.com www.contacta.co.uk www.contactainc.com...

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