Emtech Electronics IA-204P User Manual

IA-204 SERIES

OF

IN-WALL AMPLIFIERS

INSTALLATION MANUAL

©Emtech Electronics, Inc. 1126 N. 1200 West Orem, Utah 84057 1-866-200-2878

IMPORTANT

SAFETY INFORMATION

FOR YOUR SAFETY

To ensure safe operation, all connections between the power supply and the mains should be made by a
qualified person, and approved by local government inspectors. The fact that the equipment operates satisfactorily does
not imply that the power point is properly grounded and that the installation is completely safe. For your safety, we
recommend that the mains connections be made only by a licensed electrician.

WARNING

Power source voltage of this unit is listed on the power supply. Do not fail to connect to the correct voltage.
Refer to the power supply diagram included with the power supply for proper connections. Avoid extremes in
temperature and humidity. To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this product, or anything that is connected to
it, to rain or any type of moisture. To prevent shock hazard, do not handle this device or any device connected to it if
you are wet or if you are standing in any moisture.

LIABILITY

Emtech Electronics does not accept any liability for injury or damages to persons or property due to the
improper use or application of this equipment. Furthermore, no liability is assumed for any lost time or earnings due to
the failure of this equipment to operate properly other than the terms and conditions outlined in the Warranty. No other
warranties are expressed or implied.

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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing an Emtech Electronics Product. The IA-204 series of In-Wall Amplifiers are the
intelligent solution for single and multi-room sound reinforcement applications were rack space does not exist for a
sound system. The IA-204 system requires no special training for your personnel or guests. There are no confusing,
elaborate programming sequences necessary to adapt the system to different room configurations. Room combining is
achieved effortlessly with the flip of a switch.

SYSTEM FEATURES:

• 25 watt (into 4 ohms), 2 input amplifiers (IA204R, IA-204S)

• Each input is mic/line selectable

• Balanced mic (with Phantom Power) and balanced line inputs

• Amplifiers mount into 4 gang deep masonry boxes (RACO 698)

• Eliminates need for costly rack mounts

• Locking security cover plate

• Uses remote 24 VDC power supply

• Low cost and quick installation

• Room combining matrix available for 4 rooms (RCM-42B) and 8 rooms (RCM-82B)

• Perfect for Conference Rooms, Convention Centers, Churches, Schools, etc.

MODEL IA-204P

• The IA-204P has no internal power amplifier. It is for use with an external power amplifier. Otherwise it has

the same front panel features as the IA-204R.

• SEND – and SEND + are the balanced line output.

• Features a three position ROOM MIXING switch on front panel.

• ROOM MIXING switch works with the Emtech RCM-42B (Room Combining Matrix, 4 room 2 buss)

available separately.

• ROOM MIXING switch allows up to four IA-204’s to share program material on either the GROUP A or

GROUP B buss.

MODEL IA-204R

• The IA-204R is similar to the IA-204P except it does have an internal 25watt (into 4 ohms), 2 input power

amplifier.

• The IA-204R features a ROOM MIX Switch on its front panel. Like the IA-204P, this switch connects to

the optional Emtech RCM-42B Room Combining Matrix (see section on the RCM-42B), and allows up to

four IA-204’s to share program material on either the GROUP A or GROUP B buss.

MODEL IA-204S

• The IA-204S has an internal 25 watt (into 4 ohms), 2 input power amplifier.

• The IA-204S features a SPEAKER ZONE switch that allows for user control of two speaker zones. This

feature can help reduce feedback from head table speaker zones (see section on speaker zones).

See Figure 6 for speaker zone wiring details. This diagram shows how to arrange the speakers in a bridge

pattern allowing for greater flexibility and control.

• Requires an external switch for Room Combining if using the optional RCM-42B.

SYSTEM OPERATION

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Operating the IA-204 series of in-wall amplifiers is simple. Just follow these three steps:

1. Turn the POWER switch to the ON position (LED will illuminate).

2. Set your input source on INPUT 1 or INPUT 2 to either mic or line using the switches.

3. Adjust VOLUME control for the desired sound output.

Simplified Block Diagram of the IA-204 In-Wall Amplifier

SITE PREPARATION

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IA-204

Location

• The suggested mounting height for the IA-204 is approximately 48” – 66” from the floor.

• The mounting location for the IA-204 depends upon many factors, such as the room layout, input location,

distance to the power supply, etc.

Mounting

• The IA-204 fits into a common 4 gang deep masonry electrical box (RACO 698 or equivalent).

• Four painted mounting screws (6-32 x 1” flathead Phillips) are provided to secure the IA-204.

BACK BOX MOUNTING

• WARNING! If using conduit, not all of the conduit access holes in the 4 gang box can be used. Please

follow these recommendations exactly! These directions assume the 4 gang box is mounted on a vertical

wall. Before any installation is started, verify whether or not the IA-204 is to use the back-mounted 70 volt

line transformer. (Emtech model number T-70V).

NOTE! The IA-204 is designed to fit into a RACO 698 4 gang deep masonry electrical box. The following directions
assume you are using the T-70V 70 volt line transformer. This optional transformer was designed for the IA-204
System. These directions are applicable only if using a RACO 698 box.

• The picture to the right shows the RACO 698 box. This is a view of the bottom of the box with 8 conduit

knockouts. Use only the 3 knockouts (labeled 6, 7 and 8) toward the lower right hand side of the picture!

When the box is installed in the wall, these are the back knockouts on the right side of the box. Do not use

the 4 knockouts near the top lip of the box (labeled 1, 2, 3 and 4)!

• The top of the box also has 8 conduit knockouts. Use the 3 knockouts on the top that are directly above

knockouts 6, 7 and 8 on the bottom.

• The 2 conduit knockouts on the right side of the 4 gang box can be used.

RACO 698 4 Gang Deep Masonry Electrical Box

• Do not use the 2 conduit knockouts on the left side of the box! (They are visible in the photograph

above).

POWER SUPPLY

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NOTE - This information is applicable only to the power supplies available from Emtech Electronics. If you

choose to use a different power supply, please follow the manufacturers instructions.

Location

• A central location is most desirable for the power supply.

• Keep the distances between each IA-204 and the power supply as short as possible.

• The following wire gauges are recommended, depending upon the distance from the power supply to the IA-

204:

Gauge Distance
18 AWG 0 to 50 feet
16 AWG 50 to 200 feet
14 AWG 200 to 300 feet

Longer distances are not recommended.

Mounting

• The DC power supplies, available from Emtech Electronics (PS-30, PS-60, PS-90 & PS-100), can be

mounted into a Hoffman A-SE 10 X 10 X 4 or equivalent (10” x 10” x 4”) electrical box. If another type or

style of box is chosen, make sure that it is approved by local building codes.

• Securely mount the supply in the Hoffman A-SE 10 X 10 X 4, and mount this box at the desired location in

accordance to local building codes.

• If the RCM-42B is to be mounted at the power supply location, it can be mounted in the same box as the

power supply.

• The Emtech power supplies are conservatively rated and under normal use will not become excessively hot.

Note: The DC power supplies (PS-30, PS-60, PS-90 & PS-100) provided by Emtech are manufactured by
Tamura Corporation, and they are all UL/CSA/VDE listed supplies. Do not use any uncertified power supplies
in your in-wall installations.

Wiring

• Follow local building codes when connecting the power supply to the AC power mains.

• The recommended Emtech power supplies can be wired for three possible primary input voltages; low,

normal, and high. They are factory set for normal. See the directions included with the power supply for

more details.

• If your IA-204 installation uses electrical conduit in between each amplifier, make sure that the negative (-)

DC output lead from the power supply is electrically connected to the conduit. Also, make sure that each IA-

204 has a good electrical connection (ground) to that conduit. The four screws that connect the IA-204 to the

4 gang box should not be depended upon to make a reliable ground connection. Proper grounding will

minimize the possibility of hum problems, ground loops, and oscillation within the system.

• All connections between the power supply and the electrical mains should be made by a licensed electrician

and should meet with all local building codes.

• If a 70 volt distributed system is installed, metal conduit may be required in some places. Consult local

building codes for details.

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