Knoll VC220pm Installation Guide

VC220pm

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 VC220pm digital volume control attenuates stereo speaker
signals in 17 steps. It contains Powermatch circuitry allowing connection of up to eight
VC220pms to a receiver. A non Powermatch version, model VC220 is available. The
VC220pm includes mute and start-up functions. The VC220pm 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 VC220pm. The VC200i and VC201i
keypads contain an internal infrared receiver (no extra wiring is necessary) to control the
stereo and other systems. The VC220pm 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. The VC220pm makes a noticeable “click” sound when changing volumes. We
suggest mounting it in a low voltage panel, electrical room, closet, etc. From one to eight
VC220pm’s can be connected to a single amp or receiver (that has 4 ohm capability).
VC200’s and VC201’s cannot be attached to the same VC220pm. 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 VC220pm. If more than one keypad controls a single VC220pm daisy
chain the wire from keypad to keypad. If the VC220pm(s) are not located next to the
stereo, run a single eight-conductor cat 3 or cat 5 wire run from the stereo to the
VC220pm(s) for the power supply, the infrared system and future upgrades such as
paging override.

From each VC220pm 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
VC220pm 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
VC220pm, 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 VC220pm(s) are not
conductor (or two two-conductor) 14-18 gauge speaker wire from the stereo to the
VC220pm(s).

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

Connecting VC200/VC201 keypads to VC220pm 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 VC220pm 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 VC220pm controllers, the
same as other keypads, the
only difference is extra power
supply and IR emitter wiring
are required (see Infrared
connection diagram below).

Connection to Stereo Equipment: Remove the VC220pm eight-position speaker
connector. The stereo amplifier or receiver outputs (left and right) are connected to the
VC220pm connector labeled “TO AMP”. Be very careful to observe the correct polarity.
The VC220pm 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.***

Up to eight VC220pm controllers can be connected to a single amplifier or receiver if it
rated for 4-ohm use. If the amplifier or receiver is rated for 8-ohm use, up to three
VC220pm controllers can be connected. Wire from the amplifier speaker terminals are
always wired in parallel to the VC220pm controllers “TO AMP” terminals either by
stripping and soldering, using a speaker wire paralleling board (our model WT6), or daisy
chaining from one VC220pm connector to the next VC220pm connector etc. Connect all
VC220pm’s to amplifier speaker A or speaker B terminals, but not both. Wire the
VC220pm connectors labeled “SPEAKER” directly to the correct speakers, again strictly
observing polarity.

Power Requirements: The VC220pm
needs a 12vdc power supply. The
VC220pm controller also supplies
power to the keypads. A maximum of
60mA is needed for each VC220pm. If
possible, connect the 12vdc power
supply to the switched outlet on the
rear of the amplifier or receiver. This
wiring causes the VC220pm to reset to

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

its selectable “boot up” every 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 VC220pm terminal labeled +12V and G (ground is the negative
terminal). To connect more than one VC220pm to a receiver, daisy chain the 12vdc
power supply wires to the other VC220pm controllers.

If one 12vdc power supply powers both the VC220pm and the VC201i infrared
receiver, wire the unswitched 12VDC supply to the “POWER” +12V and G terminals on
the VC220pm, then run a jumper wire from the “POWER” +12V to the “INFRARED”
12V terminals.

Installer Selectable “BOOT UP”: The VC220pm 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 VC220pm 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 VC220pm 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.

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.

The VC200, VC201 and VC220pm have no user replaceable parts.

12vdc power suppl y plug ged

Speake rs 4-16 oh m

into s tereo s witched outlet

Typi cal
Wiring
Diagram

L R

VC200

8 condu ctor
cat 3 or cat 5
wire

Start mu te and
boot-up lev el

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
VC220pm  1999-2000 Knoll Systems All Rights Reserved

shun ts

Stereo

systems

Digital Speaker
Vol ume Contr ol

VC 220pm

2 cond uctor speak er wi res
from a mp to VC200p m

2 conductor speak er wi res
from VC200pm to speake rs

Note:

VC220p m can b e
located in a remote
closet, electrical room etc.

Note:

Speaker wires from
amp to VC220pm and for
12Vdc are looped t o
multiple VC220pm’s