QSC PL218A manual

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 .B *TD-000089-00*[...]

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. The exclamation point within an equila[...]

T ABLE OF CONTENTS Explanation of Graphical Symbols .......................................................2 FCC Interference Statement ....................................................................2 INTRODUCTION: PL2A Series Overview .................................................4 Front Panel...............................................[...]

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 . T o get the most out of your amplifier , review this manua[...]

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. Low pass delay network SIP * socket (J5) 2. Crossover frequency netwo[...]

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: INPUT CONFIGURA TION P ARALLEL: The CH 1 and CH 2 inputs are connected together , applying a single input signal to both channels of the amplifier[...]

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. This mode is for driving a single, high-powered load with twice the “normal” voltage sw[...]

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 . FEA TURES & SETUP- REAR P ANEL SWITCHES: DA T APORT INPUT SIGNAL OFF: [...]

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 internal signal leaving this stage is approximately +4 [...]

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. Push in and allow the switch to release for OFF ; the gre[...]

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 . The amount of delay is determined by the SIP programming network installed in the D[...]

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 SWITC[...]

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. 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 L[...]

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. This sett[...]

FEA TURES & SETUP- SIDE P ANEL SWITCHES: CLIP LIMITER CLIP LIMITER: The PL2A amplifier also has separate limiters which respond only to amplifier clipping. These may be used with or without the adjustable Power Limiters. When the audio signal drives the amp's output circuit beyond its power capability , the amp clips and flattens the peaks[...]

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. If the factory set up is not applicable for your application,then you will need to know your desir[...]

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. The side cover plate must be [...]

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. FRONT P ANEL LED INDICA TORS At full brightness, the green POWE[...]

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. The side cover plate should be installed to keep dust and foreign mate[...]

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. Make sure that plenty of cool air can enter 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. Balanced connection is recommended. Balanced [...]

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. The upper Speakon jack (CH1) has both Channel 1 and Channel 2 outputs, so[...]

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 • banana plug inserted into the post Banana plug capability is pro[...]

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. 3. Slide the security panel to the left until you can lift the left end free; slide the panel to the left to remove it f[...]

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. When using 2 ohm loads, frequent or pr[...]

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 . • An overload in bridge mode may cause the amplifier to click off for three seconds,[...]

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. T ry another [...]

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. High-current design and special dual-sense output feedback corrects errors on both sides of the speaker terminals, improving damping and control of spea[...]

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, 0.1% THD 65[...]

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/Protect : Red LED, 1 per channel, Level -10 dB: Orange LED, 1 per channel, Level -20 dB: Green LED, 1 per channel, SIGNAL -35dB: Green LE D, 1 per channel B[...]

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 . Product Warranty QSC guarantees the PL2A to be free from defective material and/or workmanship for a period of three years from the date of sale, an[...]

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. NOTES:______________________ ______[...]

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. NOTES:______________________ ______[...]

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. ©2000, 2007 QSC Audio Products, Inc.[...]