Hera User Manual w w w. a p e x - a u d i o .
APEX NV Schoebroekstraat 62 3583 Beringen (Paal) BELGIUM Tel: Fax: e-mail: website: + 32 (0)11 28 61 91 + 32 (0)11 25 56 38 info@apex-audio.eu www.apex-audio.eu Trademarks The APEX trademark is owned by APEX N.V. All other brand, product and company names and any other registered names or trade marks mentioned in this manual belong to their respective owners. Disclaimer APEX N.V. has taken all possible steps to ensure that the information given here is both correct and complete.
Hera Sound level Controller July 2011 Serial number of this product: © 2000-2011 APEX N.V. All rights reserved. This manual may not be reproduced or transmitted, either in part or as a whole, by any means, be they mechanical or electronic, without the express written permission of APEX N.V.
Important safety instructions Important safety instructions CAUTION: to reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover (or back). No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within 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 persons.
Cleaning, maintenance and servicing Unplug the apparatus from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personal.
Table of contents Table of contents Registration 7 Introduction 8 Product highlights Foreword 6 8 8 Before you get started 9 9 9 9 9 9 About this manual Inspection and unpacking Operating environment Power requirements Installation Front and rear panel description 10 Front panel Rear panel 10 11 Wiring the unit 12 Connecting the Hera when used as a stand-alone device Connection whe
Registration Register your product Please take the time to register your product on-line by typing the following URL in your browser: http://productregistration.apex-audio.eu/ As well as registering the product on-line, please take the trouble to record the serial number of the unit in the space provided on page 3 of the manual, and keep the manual in a safe place.
Introduction Dear customer, Thank you for buying the Apex Hera. Hera is a microprocessor based sound level controller. Hera can be used either as a standalone unit or combined with the Apex Argos. Applications include noise level control in bar, theatre, concert venue,… as well as compliance with Directive 2003/10/EC “Noise at work”.
Before you get started About this manual Installation Carefully read all instructions and warnings before operating this appliance. Keep this manual in a safe place so that it can be referred to when required. If the unit is brought into a warm room from a cold environment, internal condensation may occur. Ensure that the unit has been allowed to reach ambient temperature before switching it on. This manual describes Hera internal software version v2.2.
Front and rear panel description Front panel 8 1 Front panel 10 1 LED display RMS, LEQ, MAX,… sound level display 2 LCD display This display is used in conjunction with the rotary encoder and the pushbuttons. It shows settings, adjustments and provides a readout of control-data. 3 Rotary Encoder Used to change settings and to navigate through menus and lists.
Rear panel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rear panel 1 AC connector and fuse 2 Relays output WARNING: under no circumstances should mains AC voltage be plugged into these outputs. The connections are (seen from left to right): ground, power cut relay, warning relay, + 12 Vdc. For an example of how to connect the relay outputs, see “Wiring the unit” in the next pages. 3 To Argos This connector must ONLY be used for connection with the Apex Argos.
Wiring the unit CONNECTING THE HERA WHEN USED AS A STAND-ALONE DEVICE Connect the microphone supplied with the Hera to the microphone input located on the rear panel (see rear panel drawing). In the installer menu, the operation mode must be set in ‘standalone’. Refer to the section “installer menu” for details.
The Hera must be set in ‘Argos attached’ operation mode. Refer to the section “installer menu” for details. The Argos must be set up as follows: • ‘Source’ switch in ‘micro’ position; • the setting of the THRESHOLD potentiometer is not important because the threshold is fully controlled by the Hera; • ‘Speed’ switch on ‘slow’; • ‘Noise’ switch on ‘OFF’. • For the ‘Hold’ switch, choose the setting most appropriate for your application (see the Argos manual for more information).
WARNINGS: 1. Hera relay outputs are current limited to 60mA. Some electromechanical relays or contactors may require larger pull-in current to be activated. In such situation, a smaller relay, requiring less pull-in current shall be wired between the Hera and the contactor. We recommend the use of solid-state relays which require very small pull-in and holding currents. 2.
Principles of operation The 4 LEDs located just above the push buttons have the following functions: TURNING ON Hera does not have an on/off switch. It lights up when the AC power is connected. At boot-up, the LCD screen will briefly display the unit’s firmware version. Contact an Apex-approved dealer for any software updates which may become available. STANDARD OPERATIONS The LED indicator on the left side of the front panel displays the sound pressure level in dBspl.
LCD IN MEASUREMENT LIST MODE LCD IN ERROR LIST MODE Hera stores a record of the equivalent continuous level (LEQ) and maximum sound pressure level over a user adjustable period of time into its memory. The memory can contains up to 1440 items. When the memory is filled, the newest measurement will replace the oldest. The time interval between each item of this list is adjustable in the installer menu. Interval can be from 1 minute to 8 hours.
THRESHOLD SCHEDULLING The threshold can be constant or be scheduled over 4 periods per week days. Threshold scheduling allows for automatic adjustment of the sound level over the time. For example, it is possible to automatically set a different threshold during the working hours, the evening and nights. Or even during week’s nights and weekend’s nights. Threshold setup is done through the installer menu.
At the second 126, the DJ exceeds the threshold once again, so the averaging before the warning has started. 30 seconds later, the Warning lamp has been switched on because the LEQ value was over the threshold. At that time, the cut-off time period starts counting. The DJ has seen the warning and has directly reduced the level, but unfortunately a few seconds later, he pushed the volume up again.
Installer menu INSTALLER MENU The installer menu allows the Hera to be set up and adjusted for optimum performance. To access the installer menu simply press and then release the ‘enter’ and ‘next’ buttons on the front panel at the same time. The Hera then asks you to enter your secret code (PIN number). The default code is 1234. You can change the number under the cursor using the rotary encoder. To go to the next number, press ‘enter’. To go back to the preceding number, press ‘undo’.
HERA installer menu overview 20
BASIC SET-UP OPTION 1: Choice of language This option allows you to choose the language in which messages will be displayed. All types of messages are affected, including both error/event list and measurement list. The available languages are English, Dutch, German and French. Positional compensation allows level differences between the actual position of the microphone and the place where sound pressure level is tested (by the authorities) to be taken into account. OPTION 4.
To calibrate the Hera proceed as follows: • Turn the amplifiers down to their lowest setting. • Press ‘enter’. Hera will ask you to place the measuring microphone at the point where the sound is normally tested (Microphone level at ear), for example in the middle of the dance floor or wherever the authorities normally make their level tests. This option is used to manually enter the compensation. The actual compensation in decibel is shown on the LED display. Turn the rotary encoder to adjust it.
To go to the next time period, press ‘enter’, change the start time using the ‘next’ and ‘exit’ buttons and change the threshold using the rotary encoder. To go back to the preceding period press ‘undo’. When the start times for all periods have been set, Hera requires a few moments to store the new list. OPTION 6: Warning and cut logic outputs Relay outputs are triggered on time-averaged sound level value. Time-averaged sound level is also called equivalent continuous sound level (Leq).
PREFERENCES OPTION 10: Argos serial number If the Argos is connected to the Hera then its serial number MUST be entered here. This enables the Hera and the Argos to work together correctly. OPTION 11: Pin number Enables the secret code which gives access to the installer menu to be changed. WE ADVISE YOU TO CHANGE IT IMMEDIATELY ! Do NOT give the end user the PIN code. OPTION 12: Date and Time OPTION 12.1: Changing the time Press ‘enter’. The Hera will display the time in the format HH:MM:SS.
Memory Readout MEMORY READOUT A Hera read-out PC software is available free of charge. It allows for data stored in the Hera’s memory to be recovered and eventually imported into any document. It is possible to retrieve the LEQ and MAX measurements list, the events list and other information such as firmware version. These data can be saved to a file or directly be copied and pasted into a spreadsheet or a database.
Technical specifications Electrical specifications Mains requirements Voltage Power consumption Auto-detect 90-240 V - 50/60 Hz 40 VA Relay outputs Connections Impedance Maximum current ground, output 1, output 2, +12 V open collector 60mA maximum for each output Measurements Range A-Filter accuracy 55 dBA - 120 dBA 27 Hz - 20 kHz + 1.
Limited warranty Limited warranty Apex N.V. (“Apex”) warrants you, the original purchaser, or any party that purchases the device from you, that its products are free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of two (2) years from the date of original purchase. The date of purchase is the date which appears on the first invoice or any other proof of purchase provided by an Apex approved dealer.
www.apex-audio.eu info@apex-audio.eu Copyright © 2000-2011 APEX N.V. All rights reserved. This manual may not be reproduced or transmitted, either in part or as a whole, by any means, be they mechanical or electronic, without the express written permission of APEX N.V.
