Knoll VC100IM User Manual

Operation: Knoll volume controls are very easy to use. The VC100im

Peak RMS Power Rating

100 watts per channel

Continuous RMS Power

50 watts per channel

Frequency Response

20 to 20,000 Hz

Mounting Depth

2.55" (6.5 cm)

Electrical Junction Box

Fits single gang

Speaker Impedance

4-16 ohms (single or multiple
speakers)

Connection

Detachable screw terminals

Color and Style

White decora style

has a total of 12 different volume settings including fully off.
To increase the volume (in this room only), turn the volume control
knob clockwise. To lower the volume, turn the volume control knob
counterclockwise.
To set the correct amplifier or receiver volume setting we suggest that
you turn the Knoll room volume control in one room to maximum.
Adjust the amplifier or receiver volume to the loudest comfortable
setting you will use and no further or louder. In this way the Knoll
volume control has the most usable settings. If the amp volume
control was set louder, the Knoll volume control would have to be
turned down to be back at a comfortable level with less overall volume
positions available.

Warranty

Knoll Systems warrants the VC100im sold in the USA and Canada by authorized
Knoll dealers to be free of defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty
extends for three full years from the date of purchase by the original consumer.
Any products returned to Knoll Systems and found to be defective by Knoll
Systems within the warranty period will be repaired or replaced at Knoll
Systems option, at no charge. Knoll Systems will not be responsible for the
actual cost of installation or removal of the product, nor for any incidental or
consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation may not apply to
you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have additional
legal rights that vary from state-to-state.

Specifications

Knoll Systems

145 Tyee Drive Point Roberts, WA 98281
14-7163 Vantage Way, Delta BC V4G 1N1
Tel: [phone], fax [phone]
www.knollsystems.com

Made in China

VC100im

Impedance Matching Volume Control
Installation Instructions v1.0

Warning: To be installed and/or used in accordance with appropriate

electrical codes and regulations.

Caution: Do not install these keypads in an electrical junction box
with 110V or higher unless an approved barrier separates the high and
low voltage sections.

Description: The Knoll VC100im is a twelve-position in-wall
mountable stereo speaker volume control with impedance matching
capability. From one to eight pairs of speakers can be safely driven
from one stereo amplifier using an equal number of VC100im’s.
Separate impedance matching components are not required. The Knoll
WT6 one stereo input to six stereo output connection strip is available
to neaten the wiring of larger systems.

Basic System Layout and Pre-Wiring: A stereo amplifier controls
multiple pairs of speakers. Decide where the speakers and volume
controls will be placed in the various rooms. When wiring always leave
an extra couple of feet of wire at both ends so installation of the
speakers and volume controls is quick and easy. Up to eight pairs of 8­ohm speakers can be safely connected to one amplifier.

Run a fire-rated two-conductor speaker wire (14-18 gauge wire) from
each speaker to the volume control location in each room. Next, run a
four-conductor speaker wire from the volume control to the amplifier
location. Ideally each run back to the amplifier is a home run, but
wires can be daisy chained from room to room. If you plan to daisy
chain the wiring we suggest using larger 14-gauge wire. If 2 pairs of
speakers are being controlled by 1 volume control, wire the 2 pairs in
series if they are 4 or 6-ohms and parallel if they are 8 or 16-ohms.
Our web site has information on how to wire in series and parallel.

Warning: Never attempt to make the final combined speaker
impedance less than 4-ohms as this may cause safety issues.

To tidy up the installation, use Knoll’s WT6 seven position wire

connection strip at the amplifier. Two or more may be required for
some installations.

Setting the impedance matching jumpers:

Jumper setting X1 X2

X4

X8

4 Ohm speakers

8 Ohm speakers

don’t

1 pair

2 pair

4 pair

1 pair

2 pair

4 pair

8 pair

When using amps or receivers with 8 ohm capacity

Jumper setting X1 X2

X4

X8

4 Ohm speakers

8 Ohm speakers

1 pair

2 pair

4 pair

2 pair 4 pair 8 pair

When using amps or receivers with 4 ohm capacity

8 pair

16 pair

X1

X2

X4

X8

X1

X2

X4

X8

Each of the VC100im volume controls needs to have the jumpers
correctly set. The two jumpers are located on the rear side of the
volume control. Both channels on all volume controls in this system
should be set to the same jumper setting.

The jumper setting is determined by three factors:

1. The speaker impedance (all the speakers in

this system should have the same
impedance).

2. The number of volume controls connected

to one stereo amplifier.

3. The minimum speaker load impedance the

amplifier can handle.

In the illustration both jumpers are shown set in
the X4 position. Ideally, all volume controls in

this system should have their jumpers set to
the same correct position. 4 and 8 ohm

speakers can safely be combined in a system. Use
the 4 ohm settings. The jumper needs to be
pushed on as far as it goes.

To determine the correct jumper or shunt position, use the
chart below.

As an example, if the amplifier has 4-ohm capability with 7 pairs of 8
ohm speakers to be installed, set all VC100im jumpers to X4.

Connection and trim-out: Remove about ¼” of insulation from the
ends of all wires connected to the volume control and twist the
exposed strands. The stereo amplifier or receiver outputs (left and
right) are connected to the VC100im top connector labeled “INPUT”.
Be very careful to observe the correct polarity. The VC100im uses
independent floating grounds so bridged amplifiers can be used safely.

The VC100im is rated for use with maximum
100 watt per channel amplifiers. DO NOT use
higher-powered amplifiers with this product
for safety reasons.

Wire from the amplifier speaker terminals is always wired in parallel to
all VC100im volume controls. To make the installation look neat and
tidy, we suggest using one or more WT6 connection strips. When
connecting to the amp make sure its power is switched off. Again
strictly observe wiring polarity.

Connect the four position connectors labeled “OUTPUT” to the stereo
speakers they will control. Again series and parallel speaker wiring is
acceptable so that the impedance the volume control sees is between
4 and 8 ohms. Be sure to strictly observe polarity, as incorrect polarity
will result in poor bass performance.

When installing the volume control into the wall, we suggest moving
any inside wall fixtures such as vapor barriers away from the
autotransformers if possible.