Technical information

Page 10
Micro-Tech 600/1200/2400 Power Amplifiers
Reference Manual
3 Installation
3.1 Mounting
Micro-Tech amplifiers are designed for standard 19-inch
(48.3-cm) rack mounting or stacking without a cabinet. In a
rack, it is best to mount units directly on top of each other.
This provides the most efficient air flow and support. If the
rack will be transported, we recommend that you provide
support for the amplifier’s back panel or secure it to the
rack to help support the unit’s weight.
Fig. 3.1 Mounting Dimensions
Fig. 3.2 Top View of a Rack-Mounted Unit
AIR
FLOW
AIR FLOW
AMPLIFIER
(TOP VIEW)
RACK
CABINET
16 in
2 in
MIN.
17 in
AIR
FLOW
IMPORTANT: Be sure the back of
the amplifier is supported.
3.2 Cooling
Micro-Tech amplifiers include an internal fan that runs
when the unit is turned on. Before mounting your ampli-
fier, you should familiarize yourself with its cooling re-
quirements.
Here are some tips to help keep your amplifier cool.
First, never block the amplifier’s front or side air vents. If
the amplifier is rack-mounted, its sides should be at
least 2 inches (5 cm) away from the cabinet (see Figure
3.2). Also, open spaces in the rack should be covered
to prevent heated air from the side exhaust vents from
being drawn into the front air intake.
Fig. 3.3 Proper Air Flow with a Rack-Mounted Blower
You will know when your Micro-Tech amplifier has suffi-
cient cooling because its ODEP indicators will be
brightly lit. If the amplifier’s ODEP indicators dim or turn
off, overly demanding conditions are forcing it to protect
itself from overheating. If you experience a cooling prob-
lem, you should consider several factors that may be
contributing to the problem, including load impedance,
air flow and ambient air temperature.
Low-impedance loads generate more heat than higher
impedance loads. To avoid impedance-related cooling
problems, connect loads to each channel with a total
impedance of at least 2 ohms in Stereo, 4 ohms in
Bridge-Mono, and 1 ohm in Parallel-Mono mode (see
Section 3.3 for wiring instructions). If your loads are rea-
sonable and you still have a cooling problem, check for
shorts in the loudspeaker cables, and look for problems
with air flow or ambient air temperature.
Air flow restrictions are the most common cause of in-
adequate cooling. Restrictions may result from improper
mounting, piles of power cords, clogged dust filters and
closed rack doors. Mount the amplifier to allow suffi-
cient air flow into the front intake, out the side exhaust
vents, and out the back of the rack. An air flow restric-
tion like a pile of power cords can simply be moved out
of the way. Air filters should be cleaned using the proce-
dure in Section 4.5. If rack doors are the problem, you
can leave them open, remove them, or install a grille. If
you install a grille, we recommend using a wire grille
because perforated panels restrict air flow by at least
40%.
If your
ODEP indicators still dim under demanding con-
ditions, you may want to install supplemental cooling
like a rack-mounted blower or an air conditioner. A
“squirrel cage” blower can be installed at the bottom of