Installation manual

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on choosing Clear-Com products. Clear-Com was established in 1968 and remains the

market leader in providing intercom for entertainment, educational, broadcast and industrial applica-

tions. The ruggedness and high build-quality of Clear-Com products is the industry standard. In fact,

many of our original beltpacks and Main Stations are still in daily use around the world.

We recommend that you read through this manual completely to better understand how to install your

intercom system. Please pay particular attention to the section on system wiring, as improper wiring

detracts from the performance of the system or causes system failure. If you encounter a situation or

have a question that this manual does not address, contact your dealer or call Clear-Com direct at the

factory. Our applications support and service people are standing by to assist you. Thank you for se-

lecting Clear-Com for your communications needs.

THE CLEAR-COM CONCEPT

Clear-Com is a closed-circuit intercom system that consistently provides high-clarity communication in

both high-noise and low-noise environments. A basic system consists of a single- or multi-channel

Power Supply or Main Station connected to various single- or multi-channel Remote Stations, such as

beltpacks and loudspeaker stations.

Clear-Com is a distributed amplifier system; each Main or Remote Station houses its own microphone

preamplifier, headset or speaker power amplifier, and signaling circuitry. Stations bridge the intercom

line at a very high impedance (more than 10 kOhms), and place a minimum load on the line. The

audio level always remains constant, and does not fluctuate as stations leave and join the system.

Low-impedance mic input lines (200 Ohms) and specially designed circuitry make Clear-Com channels

virtually immune to RFI and dimmer noise.

Clear-Com stations are interconnected with two-conductor, shielded microphone cable (or individually

shielded multi-pair cable as required). Portable stations are connected with 2 conductor cables with

3-pin XLR connectors. One wire, connected to pin 2, carries the DC power (30 volts) from a Main Sta-

tion or Power Supply to all Remote Stations. The other wire, connected to pin 3, carries the 2-way (du-

plex) audio information. The shield, connected to pin 1, acts as a common ground. One termination

per channel is needed throughout the intercom network, and is usually located in the Main Station or

Power Supply.

Clear-Com Main Stations, Power Supplies and certain Remote Stations each have an auxiliary pro-

gram input with its own volume control, which allows an external audio source to be fed to the intercom

system.

Visual Signal Circuitry (Call Lights), a standard feature on all Main and Remote Stations, allows the

user to attract the attention of operators who have removed their headsets. Certain stations also have

an audible Tone Alert feature which can be useful for this purpose.

Clear-Com manufactures a wide variety of both portable and fixed-installation units. All are compatible

with each other. Clear-Com intercom systems can also interface with other communication systems

and devices.

Clear-Com System Installation Manual