Drake AC1686 User Manual

AC1686 Active Combiner

Instruction Manual

© Copyright 2004 R.L. Drake Co. P/N: 3853620A-5-2004 Printed in the U.S.A.

® is a registered trademark of the R.L. Drake Company

WARNING:

CAUTION:

ATTENTION:

ii Caution Statements

WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR

ELECTRICAL SHOCK DO NOT

EXPOSE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE

!WARNING!

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT OPEN THE CABINET, REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY.

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THIS (POLARIZED) PLUG WITH AN
EXTENSION CORD RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE
FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.

POUR PREVENIR LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES, NE PAS UTILISER CETTE FICHE
POLARISEE AVEC UN PROLONGATEUR, UNE PRISE DE COURANT OU UNE AUTRE
SORTIE DE COURANT, SAUF SI LES LAMES PEUVENT ETRE INSEREES A FOND
SANS EN LAISSER AUCUNE PARTIE A DECOUVERT.

DO NOT REMOVE COVER

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE

A product and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick
stops, excessive force and uneven surfaces may cause the product
and cart combination to overturn.

The lightning flash with arrow head 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 persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to
alert the user to the presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying
the product.

Important Safety Instructions

1. Read Instructions—All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the product is
operated.

2. Retain Instructions—The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.

3. Heed Warnings—All warnings on the product and in the operating instructions should be adhered

to.

4. Follow Instructions—All operating and use instructions should be followed.

5. Cleaning—Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or

aerosol cleansers. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.

6. Attachments—Do not use attachments that are not recommended by the product manufacturer as
they may cause hazards.

7. Water and Moisture—Do not use this product near water—for example, near a bathtub, wash bowl,
kitchen sink or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool; and the like.

8. Accessories—Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The
product may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. Use only
with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table recommended by the manufacturer, or sold with the product.
Any mounting of the product should follow the manufacturer's instructions, and should use a mounting
accessory recommended by the manufacturer.

9. A product and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven
surfaces may cause the product and cart combination to overturn.

10. Ventilation—Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation and to ensure reliable
operation of the product and to protect it from overheating, and these openings must not be blocked
or covered. The openings should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar
surface. This product should not be placed in a built-in installation such as bookcase or rack unless
proper ventilation is provided or the manufacturer's instructions have been adhered to.

11. Power Sources—This product should be operated only from the type of power source indicated
on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supplied to your home, consult your product
dealer or local power company. For products intended to operate from battery power, or other sources,
refer to the operating instructions.

12. Grounding or Polarization—This product may be equipped with a polarized alternating-current
line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other). This plug will fit into the power outlet only one
way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the
plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat
the safety purpose of the polarized plug.
Alternate Warnings—If this product is equipped with a three-wire grounding-type plug, a plug having
a third (grounding) pin, the plug will only fit into a grounding-type power outlet. This is a safety feature.
If you are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet.
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding-type plug.
12 a. Mise à la terre ou Polarisation—Cet appareil est équipé avec un cordon d'alimentation à trois
fils. Il est a brancher sur une prise ayant un connecteur a la terre. Assurez-vous que la connection a
la terre ne manque pas.

13. Power-Cord Protection—Power-supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be
walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at
plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the product.

14. Outdoor Antenna Grounding—If an outside antenna or cable system is connected to the product,
be sure the antenna or cable system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage
surges and built-up static charges. Article 810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, provides
information with regard to proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead­in wire to an antenna discharge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna-discharge unit,
connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode. See Figure A.

15. Lightning—For added protection for this product during a lightning storm, or when it is left
unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the
antenna or cable system. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power-line
surges.

16. Power Lines—An outside antenna system should not be located in the vicinity of overhead power
lines, other electric light or power circuits, where it can fall into such power lines or circuits. When
installing an outside antenna system, extreme care should be taken to keep from touching such power
lines or circuits as contact with them may be fatal.

17. Overloading—Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral convenience receptacles
as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.

18. Object and Liquid Entry—Never push objects of any kind into this product through openings as
they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock.
Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.

19. Servicing—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
personnel.

20. Damage Requiring Service—Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to
qualified service personnel under the following conditions:

a. When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged,
b. If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the product,
c. If the product has been exposed to rain or water,
d. If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions. Adjust only

those controls that are covered by the operating instructions as an improper adjustment of other
controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore
the product to its normal operation,

e. If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way, and
f. When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance—this indicates a need for service.

21. Replacement Parts—When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has

used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original
part. Unauthorized substitutes may result in fire, electric shock or other hazards.

22. Safety Check—Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician
to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.

23. Wall or Ceiling Mounting—The product should be mounted to a wall or ceiling only as
recommended by the manufacturer.

24. Heat—The product should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

NOTE TO CATV SYSTEM INSTALLERS:

THIS REMINDER IS PROVIDED TO CALL THE CATV SYSTEM INSTALLER'S ATTENTION
TO ARTICLE 820 - 40 OF THE NEC THAT PROVIDES GUIDELINES FOR PROPER
GROUNDING AND, IN PARTICULAR, SPECIFIES THAT THE CABLE GROUND SHALL BE
CONNECTED TO THE GROUNDING SYSTEM OF THE BUILDING, AS CLOSE TO THE
POINT OF CABLE ENTRY AS PRACTICAL.

EXAMPLE OF ANTENNA GROUNDING

ANTENNA
LEAD IN
WIRE

GROUND CLAMP

ELECTRIC
SERVICE
EQUIPMENT

POWER SERVICE GROUNDING
ELECTRODE SYSTEM
(NEC ART 250, PART H)

GROUND
CLAMPS

ANTENNA
DISCHARGE
UNIT (NEC
SECTION 810-20)

GROUNDING
CONDUCTORS
(NEC SECTION
810-21)

Table of Contents/Specifications/General Description iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ii. Caution Statements
ii. Important Safety Instructions
iii. Table of Contents / Specifications
iii. General Description

SPECIFICATIONS

Bandwidth:

Number of Inputs:

Input Impedance:

Input Return Loss:

Input-Input Isolation:

Gain (any input to output):

Input Adjustable Attenuator:

Maximum Input Level:

54 - 860 MHz

16.
75 Ohms (type F connectors).
14 dB, typical.
30 dB minimum, 54 - 550 MHz.
25 dB minimum, 550 - 860 MHz.
3 dB typical, 0 dB minimum,
54 - 550 MHz.
2 dB typical, -1 dB minimum, 550 ­860 MHz.
Front panel setting, 15 dB
minimum range.
+60 dBmV (input attenuator set to
limit output level to rated
maximum), each input.

2. Front and Rear Panel Connections and Controls

3. Installation - Applications

4. Service / If You Need To Call For Help

5. Warranty

Maximum Output Level:

Composite Triple Beat:

Cross Modulation:

Output Return Loss:

Output Test Point:

Power Requirements:

AC Adapter Input:

Operating Temperature:

Weight:

+48 dBmV each video carrier with
16 equal input NTSC signals.

-60 dBc, 16 channels at output
level of +48 dBmV per channel.

-60 dBc, 16 channels at output
level of +48 dBmV per channel.
14 dB, typical.

-20 dB ±2 dB.
14 VAC/700 mA supplied by
included AC adapter.
120 VAC/60 Hz.
00 C to 500 C, ambient.
19" W x 1.75" H x 4.0" D.

Size:

4 Lbs.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

POWER OUTPUTTEST

20 dB

The AC1686 Active Combiner permits combining the
outputs of up to 16 Audio/Video Modulators, Channel
Processors, etc. onto a single coax. The unit includes a
low distortion Ga As output amplifier to permit linear
signal output and very low input noise figure.

Attenuator

0-15dB

adjustable

INPUTS 1-16

+60 dBmV

maximum

Output

Level

Input

Amp

OUTPUT LEVEL

AC1686 ACTIVE COMBINER

The AC1686 is housed in a standard 1-3/4" H x 19" W
rack space. A monitor output is provided at the front
panel of the combiner.

AC1686

-20 dB
Monitor Output

Low Noise

Ga As Amp

+20 dB

OUTPUT

Power Indicator

Power

Supply

14 VAC

Power Input

AC1686 BLOCK DIAGRAM