Instruction/ maintenance manual of the product PL218A QSC
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User Manual Manuel de l’utilisateur Bedienhandbuch Manual del Usario • PL218A • PL224A • PL230A • PL236A PL2A Audio Power Amplifiers with Analog Signal Processing POWERLIGHT 2A TD-000089-00 Rev .
EXPLANA TION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous” voltage within the product’ s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to humans.
T ABLE OF CONTENTS Explanation of Graphical Symbols .......................................................2 FCC Interference Statement ....................................................................2 INTRODUCTION: PL2A Series Overview ..........
FRONT PANEL 1. Power switch 2. Cooling vents 3. Gain control (1 per channel) 4. CLIP , -10 dB , -20 dB and SIGNAL indicator LEDs, 1 per channel 5. POWER , BRIDGE , and PARALLEL indicator LEDs 6. BI-AMP indicator LED 7. Handles Thank you for the purchase of your new POWERLIGHT 2A amplifier .
REAR PANEL 1. DataPort 2. T erminal block inputs 3. Configuration switches 4. XLR inputs 5. Speakon outputs 6. Binding post outputs 7. Cooling air inlet vents 8. Serial number label 9. IEC connector for AC power cord 9a. Power cord retaining clip (install on item 8) SIDE PANEL 1.
INPUT CONFIGURA TION- This switch selects between STEREO or P ARALLEL input configuration. The indicator LED’ s above the switch confirm the switch setting.
FEA TURES & SETUP- REAR P ANEL SWITCHES: MODE MODE- This switch selects between BI-AMP , 2 CH , or BRIDGE modes of operation. The indicator LED’ s above the switch confirm the selection. BRIDGE : This mode combines both output channels into one output.
DA T APORT INPUT SIGNAL- This switch selects the regular inputs or the DataPort inputs, and allows the DataPort to enter before or after the analog processing. W ARNING: There is no DataPort “flag” for this setting, so the appropriate setting must be confirmed manually .
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).
The side panel cover plate must be removed to access the side panel switches. CH1 SUBAUDIO FIL TER, CH2 SUBAUDIO FIL TER- These push-button switches are used to turn on or off the SUBAUDIO FIL TER for each channel. Press the switch in for ON ; the green LED illuminates when the filter is ON.
FEA TURES & SETUP- SIDE P ANEL SWITCHES: LO FREQ DELA Y and HF A TTEN LO FREQ DELA Y - 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 .
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.
FEA TURES & SETUP- SIDE P ANEL SWITCHES: POWER LIMITER POWER LIMITER: Each channel has its own limiter with independently adjustable threshold and time con- stants.
FEA TURES & SETUP- SIDE P ANEL SWITCHES: POWER LIMITER (continued from previous page) FAST - Set both POWER LIMITER SPEED switches to FAST . This setting produces 20 milliseconds (0.020 seconds) of release time. The A VG mode will produce 8 milliseconds of attack time, and PEAK mode will produce less than 1 millisecond of attack time.
FEA TURES & SETUP- SIDE P ANEL SWITCHES: CLIP LIMITER CLIP LIMITER: The PL2A amplifier also has separate limiters which respond only to amplifier clipping.
FEA TURES & SETUP- SIDE P ANEL: CROSSOVER & DELA Y NETWORK SELECTION & INST ALLATION SIP RESISTOR NETWORK INST ALLA TION GUIDELINES AND SELECTION INFORMA TION Y our PL2A amplifier is shipped configured to order with SIP networks installed.
FEA TURES & SETUP- SIDE P ANEL: CROSSOVER & DELA Y NETWORK SELECTION & INST ALLATION 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” errors that might otherwise arise.
GAIN CONTROLS The gain controls are detented (21 steps) for repeatable adjustment. Surrounding the gain control knob, the attenuation level is shown in dB. Maximum gain depends on the model and the GAIN-SENSITIVITY SELECT switch setting. For full details, see the specification section.
INST ALLA TION: 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.
INST ALLA TION: 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.
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.
Speakon™ Outputs : The Speakon connector is designed specially for high-power speaker connections. It locks in place, prevents shock hazard, and assures the correct polarity . For easier insertion, use the newer -style NL4FC Speakon connectors with quick lock thumb latches.
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 • .
REMOVING THE SECURITY P ANEL 1. Use an angle 9/64" or 3.5 mm hex key to loosen the screw. 2. Use a small flat screwdriver to lift the right end of the security panel so that its tabs are free of the slots in the front panel.
OPERA TION NORMAL OPERA TING LEVELS The amp's protective muting system guards against excessive internal temperatures. With normal ventilation and 4 to 8 ohm loads, the amplifier will handle any signal level including overdrive. Lower load impedances and higher signal levels produce more internal heating.
Problem: NO SOUND • INDICA TION: POWER INDICA TOR 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 .
PROBLEM: DISTORTED SOUND • INDICA TION: 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 ca b l e , t h a t c a b l e o r speaker is shorted.
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW: BLOCK DIAGRAM & OPERA TIONAL DET AILS An impressive amount of technology is packed "under the hood" of a PL2A amplifier . Thousands of watts of power flow inches away from state- of-the-art low noise inputs. Precise circuit layout and thorough protection assure that all of this activity occurs smoothly and safely .
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW: BLOCK DIAGRAM & OPERA TIONAL DET AILS High Performance Audio . High speed power transistors convert this DC power into the full range audio output which drives the speakers.
PL218A PL224A PL230A PL236A OUTPUT POWER in watts FTC: 8 ohms per channel (20-20k Hz., 0.05% THD) 310 440 575 725 4 ohms per channel (20-20k Hz., 0.07% THD) 525 715 900 1100 EIA: 1 kHz 8 ohms per channel 350 475 625 800 @1% THD 4 ohms per channel 600 825 1050 1300 2 ohms per channel 900 1200 1500 1850 Bridged Mono: 16 ohms, 20–20k Hz, 0.
SPECIFICA TIONS PL218A PL224A PL230A PL236A INDICATORS (all models) Front: POWER: Green LED, STANDBY: POWER LED 1/2 brightness, BRIDGED: Yellow LED, PARALLEL: Orange LED, BI-AMP: Blue LED, CLIP/Protec.
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 .
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.
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.
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 T rademark Office.
An important point after buying a device QSC PL218A (or even before the purchase) is to read its user manual. We should do this for several simple reasons:
If you have not bought QSC PL218A yet, this is a good time to familiarize yourself with the basic data on the product. First of all view first pages of the manual, you can find above. You should find there the most important technical data QSC PL218A - thus you can check whether the hardware meets your expectations. When delving into next pages of the user manual, QSC PL218A you will learn all the available features of the product, as well as information on its operation. The information that you get QSC PL218A will certainly help you make a decision on the purchase.
If you already are a holder of QSC PL218A, but have not read the manual yet, you should do it for the reasons described above. You will learn then if you properly used the available features, and whether you have not made any mistakes, which can shorten the lifetime QSC PL218A.
However, one of the most important roles played by the user manual is to help in solving problems with QSC PL218A. Almost always you will find there Troubleshooting, which are the most frequently occurring failures and malfunctions of the device QSC PL218A along with tips on how to solve them. Even if you fail to solve the problem, the manual will show you a further procedure – contact to the customer service center or the nearest service center
