Knoll VC220 Installation Guide

VC220

Digital Volume Control
Installation Instructions

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 Knöll VC220 digital volume control attenuates stereo speaker signals
in 17 steps. On it’s top step it directly connects the speaker to the amplifier. The
VC220pm is also available which includes Powermatch circuitry allowing up to eight
VC220pms to be connected to a receiver with out a load matching interface.

The VC220 includes mute and start-up functions. The VC220 is controlled with a VC200
or VC201 keypad or an external controller such as the VCI-28 interface. Up to three
keypads can be connected (daisy chained) to a VC220. The VC200i and VC201i keypads
contain an internal infrared receiver (no extra wiring is necessary) to control the stereo
and other systems. The VC220 requires a 12VDC power supply, is usually wall-mounted
and works best if mounted vertically.

Basic System Layout and Pre-Wiring: See “Typical Wiring Diagram” on the back
page. When changing volumes the VC220 makes a noticeable “click” sound. We suggest
mounting it in a low voltage panel, electrical room, closet, etc. VC200’s and VC201’s
cannot control the same VC220. Only one VC200i or VC201i can be connected to a
single VC220pm.

Use the standard T568A wiring practices to run a cat 5 or cat 3 wire from the keypad or
controller to the VC220. If more than one keypad controls a single VC220, daisy chain
the wire from keypad to keypad. If the VC220(s) are not
single eight-conductor cat 3 or cat 5 wire run from the stereo to the VC220(s) for the
power supply, the infrared system and future upgrades such as paging override. Like
conventional speaker volume controls the VC220 may require a stereo interface (such as
the Knöll WIN600) if multiple VC220s are connected to a single receiver.

From each VC220 run a fire rated two-conductor speaker wire to each speaker. To save
time and money, most installers run a four-conductor speaker wire from the VC220 to the
closest appropriate speaker and then run a short two-conductor speaker wire to the other
speaker. If there is more than one pair of speakers connected to a single VC220, the
speakers can be wired in series or parallel whichever makes the impedance closest to 4 or
8 ohms.

Do not attempt to make the final combined speaker impedance less than 4 ohms.

If the VC220(s) are not

located next to the stereo, run a single fire rated four-conductor

(or two two-conductor) 14-18 gauge speaker wire from the stereo to the VC220(s).

located next to the stereo, run a

Connecting VC200/VC201 keypads to VC220 controllers:
Use a single cat5 wire using all eight conductors (usually run inside a wall). Always use
standard T568A Cat 5 wiring practices (shown below). Use the correct wire pairs.
Polarity is VERY important! The stereo signal is not routed to the keypad, just the digital
control signals. Signals from an infrared receiver (if used) are routed down the same Cat
5 wire. If more than one keypad is to be connected to a VC220 controller, the wires to the
keypads are paralleled.

VC201i keypads are connected

brown 8

white/brown 7

orange 6

white/blue 5

white/orange 3

blue 4

green 2

white/green 1

to VC220 controllers, the same
as other keypads, the only
difference is extra VC220
wiring is required (see Infrared
connection diagram below).

Connection to Stereo Equipment: Remove the VC220 eight-position speaker
connector. The stereo amplifier or receiver outputs (left and right) are connected to the
VC220 connector labeled “TO AMP”. Be very careful to observe the correct polarity.
The VC220 uses independent floating grounds so bridged amplifiers can be used safely.

***The VC220pm is rated for use with maximum
120 watt per channel amplifiers. DO NOT use
higher-powered amplifiers with this product
for safety reasons.***

Depending on the receiver or amplifier rated impedance you may be able to connect more
than one VC220. For multiple connections of VC220’s an impedance matching interface
such as the WIN600 or SI1x6 may be required. Wire from the amplifier speaker terminals
are always wired in parallel to the VC220 controllers “TO AMP” terminals either by
stripping and soldering, using a speaker wire paralleling board, or daisy chaining from
one VC220 connector to the next VC220 connector etc. Connect all VC220’s to amplifier
speaker A or speaker B terminals, but not both. Wire the VC220 connectors labeled
“SPEAKER” directly to the correct speakers, again strictly observing polarity.

Power Requirements: The VC220
needs a 12vdc power supply. The
VC220 controller supplies power to the
keypads. A maximum of 60mA is
needed for each VC220. If possible,
connect the 12vdc power supply to the
switched outlet on the rear of the
amplifier or receiver. By doing this the
digital volume control resets to its
installer selectable “boot up” every

VC220/VC220pm

POWER

+12V G 12V SIG

-

+

12VDC power supply plugged
into stereo switched outlet

Stereo

INFRARED

Infrared
emitter(s)

+

-

12VDC power supply
plugged into power
full time

time the receiver or amplifier is turned on. The plug on the end of the 12vdc power
supply needs to be cut off and discarded. The wire is stripped off and connected to the
VC220 terminal labeled +12V and G (ground is the negative terminal). If more than one
VC220 is connected to a receiver, daisy chain the 12vdc power supply wires to the other
VC220 controllers.

Installer Selectable “BOOT UP”: The VC220 allows the installer to select how the
volume control boots up when it first receives 12vdc power. If this feature is required, be
sure to plug the 12vdc power supply to the switched AC outlet on the rear of the receiver
or amplifier. The VC220 default is start muted when the 12VDC power is first turned on.
When the keypad button is pressed it starts in a quiet position #6 (of 17). To defeat the
start up mute, remove the right side shunt labeled “Start Muted” and the volume control
will boot up not muted.
To start the VC220 in (louder) position #12 with boot-up start mute or start mute
defeated, remove the left side shunt labeled “#12 #6”. To restore the boot up defaults,
replace the appropriate shunts.

Operation: The Knöll digital volume control is very easy to use. It has a total of 17
different volume settings. Volume settings only affect the room that they are in. After the
stereo is turned on, you may or may not have sound depending on how the system was
set up during installation.
To increase the volume (in this room only), push the rocker button up. Hold the button up
continuously and the volume will increase until maximum. To lower the volume, push
the rocker button down. Hold the button down continuously and the volume will decrease
until it mutes.
At any time firmly press the center of the switch to mute the volume. To restore the
volume press the rocker button up or down.

On VC200 keypads, the multicolor led indicators shows the volume control status. Red
is muted, green is on and amber is on at a high-level. At any time firmly press the center
of the switch to mute the volume. When the volume control has been set to mute, the
power indicator led will blink. To restore the volume press the rocker button up or down.

On VC201 keypads the lower led indicates that power to the system has been switched
on. The six side leds show the relative volume. When in mute (center of rocker has been
pushed) one of the side leds blinks. To restore the volume press the rocker button up or
down.

Note: If the stereo is on and the Knöll digital volume control has lost power, it defaults to
position #12. The VC200, VC201 and VC220 have no user replaceable parts.

 Copyright 1995-2002 Knoll Systems. All rights reserved

Warranty

Knöll Systems warrants its products sold in the USA and Canada by authorized Knöll
dealers to be free of defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty extends for two
full years from the date of purchase by the original consumer. Any products returned to

Knöll Systems and found to be defective by Knöll Systems within the warranty period
will be repaired or replaced at Knöll Systems option, at no charge. Knöll 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.

12vdc power su pply plug ged

Speakers 4-16 oh m

into s tereo swi tch ed o utlet

Typical
Wiring
Diagram

L R

VC200

8 condu cto r
cat 3 or cat 5
wire

Start mu te and
boot-up l evel

Room 1 Room with stereo

Knoll Systems

145 Tyee Drive Point Roberts, WA 98281
11791 Machrina Way, #120 Richmond BC V7A 4V3
tel [phone], fax [phone]
www.knollsystems.com

Made in Canada
VC220  1999-2000 Knoll Systems All Rights Reserved

shun ts

Stereo

systems

Digit al Speaker
Vol um e Con trol

VC 22 0p m

2 cond uctor sp eaker wi res
from a mp t o VC 200pm

2 conductor s peaker wi res
from VC2 00pm to spea ke rs

Note:

VC220p m c an b e
located in a remote
closet, electrica l room etc.

Note:

Speaker wires from
amp to VC22 0pm and for
12Vdc are loo ped t o
multiple VC220pm’s