Ecler NPA2500T, NPA4000T User Manual

USER MANUAL
MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES
NOTICE D'EMPLOI
BEDIENUNGSANLEITUNG

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USER MANUAL

1. IMPORTANT NOTE 04

1.1. Precautions 04

2. INTRODUCTION 04

3. INSTALLATION 05

3.1. Location, assembly, ventilation 05

3.2. Mains connection 05

3.3. Signal input connections 06

3.4. Output connections 06

3.5. Ethernet port 06

3.6. RS-232 port 06

3.7. FAULT connector 06

4. OPERATION AND USAGE 07

4.1. Start up 07

4.2. Front panel LED indicators 07

4.3. Front panel handling 08

5. CLEANING 12

6. FUNCTION LIST 13

7. FUNCTION DIAGRAM 13

8. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS 47

9. BLOCK DIAGRAM 50

All numbers subject to variation due to production tolerances. ECLER S.A. reserves the right to make changes or
improvements in manufacturing or design which may affect specifications.

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1. IMPORTANT NOTE
Congratulations! You are the owner of a carefully designed and manufactured equipment. We thank you

for trusting on us and choosing our amplifier NPA SPM (Networked All purpose Switching Power Mosfet).
In order to obtain maximum operativity and perfect functioning order, it is most important to carefully read
all considerations taken into account in this manual before connecting this amplifier.
We recommend our authorised Technical Services if any maintenance task should be needed so that
optimum operation shall be achieved.

1.1. Precautions
The amplifier should have an earth connection in good conditions (earth resistance, Rg=30Ω or less).

The environment must be dry and dustless. Do not expose the unit to rain or water splashes, and do not
place liquid containers or incandescent objects like candles on top of the unit. Do not obstruct the

ventilation grilles with any kind of material.
In case there is some type of intervention and/or connection-disconnection of the amplifier, it is most
important to previously disconnect the mains power supply.
Do not manipulate the output terminals to the loudspeakers when the amplifier is switched on, there are
voltages up to 400Vpp. The output cabling should be connected by a qualified technician. Otherwise only use pre­made flexible cables. There are no user serviceable parts inside the amplifier.

2. INTRODUCTION

With the PAM amplification series, ECLER introduced in early 90's a new concept to the world of
professional audio: The use of switching field effect transistors. The integration of these parts for audio applications
represents a firm and spectacular enhancement comparing to conventional amplifiers. These advantages can be
outlined as follows:

a) Lower internal resistance than bipolar transistors, which leads to less heating of the amplifier and more

powerful and controlled bass; conventional Mosfets have a 4 to 7 times higher internal resistance than switching
Mosfets.

b) The extremely high speed of these devices gives a transparency to the upper frequencies till now only

achieved by tube amplifiers. This fact also reduces TIM (transitory intermodulation) to very low levels.

The SPM-Technology (Switching Power Mosfet) has been developed and patented by ECLER Laboratorio

de Electro-Acústica, S.A. NPA line of amplifiers is a new step forward in the development of SPM amplification
technology, following in the successful DPA series footsteps.

SOA Contour following protection: the SOA is the safe operating area of transistors. A good protection
system should respect this area and its shiftings, as the SOA changes as a function of the operating temperature.
So, at 80°C it is considerably narrower than at 25°C, the start-up temperature. Some manufacturers decide to use
protection systems which compromise on the performance of the components. You get a fair protection, but the
performance remains mediocre. Others prefer to leave "dark" areas between the safe operating area and the
activation of protection, which is very risky indeed.

The new SOA contour following protection systems built into the NPA amplifiers guarantees total protection
of the amplifier at any output power, load or operating temperature, as the intelligent electronic circuitry
permanently watches for changes in the safety area, adapting itself to any situation.

Maximum damping factor: In NPA series traditional output relays have been replaced with a CROWBAR
electronic system. This device short-circuits the signal if surges that can damage the loudspeakers connected to
the amplifier are detected. On the contrary, any type of relay used in the conventional method introduces a
mechanical contact in the audio signal path to the speaker, contact that is exposed to wear and a significant
decrease in the amplifier damping factor.

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Ecler NPA2500T/4000T makes use of a twin power supply and N-channel mosfets. This technology, which

has been successfully implemented in the industrial product line ENVIRO, allows for very high output power
without the use of bridge configurations. The NPA2500T/4000T keeps its "All the Power All the Time" philosophy,
even when driving 4 ohm speakers with a musical programme at maximum level.

NPA series incorporates in addition important technological innovations concerning digital processing and
remote management via Ethernet, turning it into the perfect candidate to address mobile applications and fixed
installations, both centralized and distributed, requiring high level remote control and monitoring and
integration with standard Ethernet networks. NPA amplifiers include as standard an EclerNet internal module
for DSP processing and remote management, allowing physical connection between the amplifier and an Ethernet
network and its management and remote supervision from any point of it, using Windows EclerNet Manager*
software. Please refer to the EclerNet Manager software manual for more information.

* EclerNet Manager software is available on www.ecler.com.

3. INSTALLATION

3.1. Location, assembly, ventilation

The NPA2500T/4000T amplifiers are 3 RU high 19'' rack modules.
It is important that the amplifier, as a heat source, is not placed next to other equipment nor exposed to high
temperatures. Therefore, the ventilation path should be kept free to allow fresh air entering the forced ventilation
tunnel. This system pulls air from the front, directly guiding it to the power modules and transformers, diverting a
part towards capacitors and forcing its output through the rear panel of the amplifier.

In order to optimize as much as possible the correct thermal dissipation of equipment installed in a closed
rack, it is advisable not to place power amplifiers under other appliances, but upon these ones.

All NPA amplifiers are supplied with plastic washers in order not to damage the rack ears when tightening

the screws.

3.2. Mains connection
The NPA amplifiers are fed with alternate currents, depending on the country, of 110-120, 220-240V

47/63Hz. (see characteristics in the back of the unit).
WARNING!: By convention, the mains wire colour assignment is the following:

- BROWN = Phase

- BLUE = Neutral

- YELLOW/GREEN = Earth

The mains cables must not be near the shielded cables carrying the audio signal, as this could cause
humming.

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3.3. Signal input connections

NPA Series rear panel has analog and digital inputs. Input selection is performed from the front panel

menu or from EclerNet Manager control software. Please refer to the EclerNet Manager software manual for more
information.

• Analog inputs:

The signal input connectors are of XLR-3 type (19), electronically balanced. The pin assignment is as
follows:

HOT or direct signal > Pin 2
COLD or inverted signal > Pin 3
GROUND > Pin 1

For unbalanced connection short-circuit pin 3 to pin 1.
The "STK OUTPUT" (18) are in parallel with the inputs and are used to supply the same input signal to

other amplifiers or sound systems.
The input impedance is 22KΩ (balanced) with a nominal input sensitivity of 0dBV(1V). This impedance

makes possible to parallel several amplifiers without loosing audio quality.

• Digital inputs:
There is an XLR-3 connector for AES/EBU digital input as well as a matching digital output to re-send this

signal towards other devices.

3.4. Output connections
The "OUTPUT" section on the back panel is provided with Speakon® connectors (23).

STEREO/PARALLEL/BRIDGE operating modes are selected from the from panel menu or from EclerNet
Manager control software. Please refer to the EclerNet Manager software manual for more information.

The connection cable that joins the amplifiers outputs and the loudspeakers must be of good quality,

sufficient section and as short as possible. This is most important when the distances to cover are long ones i.e. up
to 10 meters it is recommended to use a section not inferior to 2.5mm

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and for superior distances 4mm2.

3.5. Ethernet port

An RJ45 connector allows connecting the equipment to an Ethernet network and its management from

EclerNet Manager software. Please refer to the EclerNet Manager software manual for more information.

3.6. RS-232 port

A DB9 connector for RS-232 allows a serial connection between the equipment and an external control
system, like AMX, Crestron, Medialon, etc. (non functional at the date of printing of this manual, will be available in
a future implementation).

3.7. FAULT connector

3 pins connector, potential-free closing contact (Normally Closed, Normally opened). Its status changes
when an internal amplifier failure is detected, placing this one out of service.