Using Your Power Amplifier - Arcam C31 Handbook

Using your power amplifi er
P35 Power Amplifi er: Front panel P35 Power Amplifi er: Front panel
P1 Power Amplifi er: Front panel P1 Power Amplifi er: Front panel
POWER button
Switches the unit on and off. The light indicates the status of the amplifi er.
When you switch your amplifi er on, the light glows amber for a few seconds, during which time the
speakers are disconnected. The light changes to green when the amplifi er is ready for use. A red light
means the amplifi er is in stand-by mode.
The power light may fl ash if a fault has occurred, with the colour of the fl ashing light indicating the
nature of the fault:
< green – a D.C. offset fault has occured (see info. box);
amber – a thermal fault has occured (the amplifi er is too hot). Ensure that your
<
amplifi er has adequate ventillation;
red – a short-circuit fault has occured. This can happen if the speaker cables
<
are not connected correctly and are making contact with each other or with the
chassis;
< red and amber – more than one fault has occured.
Except for a thermal fault, if one of the above faults is detected by your amplifi er
the unit waits for six seconds before checking to see if the fault has cleared. If
the fault clears within six seconds, the unit continues operation; otherwise the
unit shuts itself down. In the case of a thermal fault, the unit waits until its sensor
temperature lowers before resuming operation.
If the amplifi er has shut itself down, you should unplug the amplifi er and leave it
for a few minutes before reconnecting. If the fault cannot be cleared in this way,
unplug your amplifi er and contact your Arcam dealer.
SP1 and SP2 (P35 only)
These buttons allow you to select and deselect the main (SP1) and secondary (SP2)
sets of speakers attached to your amplifi er. An indicator light shows which set of
speakers are currently selected.
Note that if both lights are out then the amplifi er will appear not to work, as all speakers are switched
off.
C31/P35/P1
E-14
P35 POWER AMPLIFIER
SP1 SP2 POWER
P1 POWER AMPLIFIER
POWER
A "DC offset fault" is not an
amplifi er fault, but a speaker
protection mechanism. If the
amplifi er is supplied with a DC
voltage (rather than the expected
AC voltage) for an extended length
of time, the coils in the attached
speakers will eventually burn out
(or, in extreme cases, catch fi re).
Your Arcam amplifi er can detect this
condition, and cut the current to the
speakers.
DC offset faults can occur
intermittently in all set-ups,
particularly if a tuner or satellite
receiver is connected. If it occurs
frequently or predictably, please
contact your dealer for advice.