Ecler NPA SERIES User Manual
Page 7
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4. OPERATION AND USAGE
4.1. Start up
If the POWER (17) switch is operated on the rear panel, the amplifier receives mains power and can be
turned on locally or remotely (see Control panel section).
In a complete audio installation, it is important to start up the equipment in the following sequence: sound
sources, mixer, equalizers, active filters and finally power amplifiers. To turn them off the sequence should follow
an inverse pattern.
4.2. Front panel LED indicators
NPA amplifiers have a simple and effective indicators system:
•
THERMAL protection indicator (2):
It indicates that the cooling tunnel temperature has exceeded the minimal risk threshold for the equipment.
The amplifier automatically restarts once the temperature drops enough.
NPA amplifiers have a thermal protection per channel. This means each protection operates independently. It
can be activated for one channel only while the other is running smoothly.
•
PROTECT indicator (3):
It indicates the absence of signal at the speaker output. It can light up for the following reasons:
o
At start-up and during the STANDBY time necessary to settle the amplifier internal voltages.
o
Because of equipment fault preventing the normal booting (the LCD shows “PERSISTENT
PROTECT”).
o
When the amplifier is delivering a very low frequency signal that could damage the speakers.
o
When more than 4 short-circuits have been detected at the amplifier output over a period of 40
seconds (the LCD shows “REPETITIVE PROTECT”).
o
When an internal fault occurred and the amplifier needs to be fixed (the LCD shows “FAULTY
AMPLIFIER”).
In any case, permanent lighting of these indicators is a symptom of faulty operation and the cause that led
to this activation should be investigated.
•
CLIP indicator (4):
It lights up when the signal delivered to the speakers is near clipping. The CLIP system considers possible
voltage fluctuations of power supply, always giving a real indication even if they exist. It is normal for CLIP
indicators to be lit at the bass frequencies rhythm for high operating levels, as these frequencies have the higher
energy content. You must take care that these indicators do not permanently light up during normal operation of
the equipment.
•
SIGNAL presence indicator (5):
It indicates a signal presence at the amplifier inputs. These indicators light up when the input signal
exceeds -40 dB.
•
DATA transfer indicator (11):
It blinks to indicate data transfer activity between the amplifier and a remote control PC running EclerNet
Manager.