Niles MSU480 Installation Manual

MSU480

INFRARED MAIN SYSTEM UNIT

MSU480

B LENDING H IGH F IDELITY AND A RCHITECTURE

®

INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDE

DS00330ACN/MSU480 12/19/03 9:05 AM Page 20

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 1
Features and

Benefits

2

MSU480 Parts
Guide

4

Installation
Considerations

5

Installation 8
Testing the

IR Extender
System

12

Power Status 14
Trouble-

Shooting

16

Contents 17
Specifications 17
Addendum 18

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MSU480

Infrared Main
System Unit

Introduction

An infrared (IR) extender system enables you to control your IR

remote controlled A/V equipment from a remote location. This
enables you to place your A/V components out of sight
(behind cabinet doors, in the rear of a room, or in a different
room) and still conveniently operate your equipment.

Installed at the equipment location, the MSU480 receives the
IR commands transmitted from your existing hand-held
remotes in that room. The commands are carried via a small
category 5 cable to your A/V equipment in another room, and
instantly “repeated”.

The MSU480 is compatible with all current Niles infrared sys­tems. It may be used along with the Niles TS100, MS100,
MS200, WS100, MVC100R and CS100 IR sensors or the IntelliPad

®

.

The model MSU480 is an IR Main System Unit. It is one of
three elements that make up an infrared extender system:

• IR Main System Unit—Models MSU140, MSU250,

MSU480 and MSU440Z.

• IR Sensors/Keypads—Models WS100, TS100, WS100,

MS100, MS200, CS100, MVC100IR and the IntelliPad.

• IR Flashers—Models MF1, MF2, MF1VF, MF2VF and the IRB1.

An IR sensor expansion unit, Model IRH610, is available for
IR repeater systems used in more than six rooms.

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2

Features and Benefits

The MSU480 offers a number of improvements over other

IR Extender Main System Units:

• Universal system—compatible with virtually all brands of
A/V equipment and remote controls.

• Accommodates four IR sensors or keypads.

•Provides eight flasher ouputs via convenient 3.5mm jacks.

• System feedback LED confirms operation.

• 3-30V AC/DC status input. Provides system status to connected
sensors and keypads.

• 12VDC Output—This is useful for triggering external
devices and system automation.

• Expandable—an IRH610 IR expansion hub can be used
to provide additional inputs.

•Two selectable HI/LOW output flasher ports.

• Printed circuit board design assures high reliability.

• Low profile and small footprint with integrated mounting
wings that allow for both horizontal and vertical installation.

•ULlisted regulated in-line power supply with universal
voltage capability.

•Two year parts and labor warranty.

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3

12VDC/
200mA
OUTPUT

1 2345678

FLASHER OUTPUTS

MSU480

IR MAIN SYSTEM UNIT

POWER

+12V DC

3-30V
AC/DC
STATUS

IN

CONTACT
CLOSURE

INPUT 1 INPUT 2 INPUT 3 INPUT 4

HI

LOW

HI
LOW

STATUS
IR

Niles IR

Flasher

MSU480

WS100 IR Sensor

Power, IR data, status signal and ground

via category 5 wire

Stereo Receiver

12VDC power supply

(supplied with the

MSU480 Main

System Unit) plugged

into an unswitched

AC outlet powers

the system

12VDC power supply
(Not Supplied) plugged
into the switched outlet

Niles Stock#FG00665

Figure 1

Connecting the WS100 to a Niles MSU480

main system unit broadcasting a status
feedback signal.

In a typical system, the MSU480 provides
for the connection for one remote room sen­sor(or keypad) and will control multiple
audio/video components via its flasher
connections.

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12VDC/

200mA

OUTPUT

1 2345678

FLASHER OUTPUTS

MSU480

IR MAIN SYSTEM UNIT

POWER

+12V DC

3-30V

AC/DC

STATUS

IN

CONTACT

CLOSURE

INPUT 1 INPUT 2 INPUT 3 INPUT 4

HI

LOW

HI
LOW

STATUS
IR

4

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MSU480 Parts Guide

1. 12V DC Jack – Provides 12 volt DC power to MSU

via a regulated power supply.

2. IR flasher outputs – 3.5mm jacks provide output for
either single or dual (MF2, MF2F, MF2D, MF2DF)
low-level flashers.

3. 3-30V AC/DC Status – 3.5mm jack provides system
status to sensors/ keypads via a 12 volt power sup­ply attached to a switched outlet on the system
receiver or a 12 volt trigger output.

4. 12VDC/200mA Output – When 12VDC voltage is
detected at the status jack or a discrete IR com­mand is issued 12VDC/200mA is output.

5. Status/IR Confirmation LED – This LED performs
two functions: (1) it provides a visible indication of
system status via a green LED and (2) confirms the
reception of IR data via a blinking blue LED.

6. Flasher Hi/Low switch – Setting these switches to
the appropriate position allows you to connect
either a high output flooding flasher (IRB1) or low
output MicroFlashers (MF2, MF2F, MF2D, MF2DF).

7. Contact Closure Switch – Two position switch that
determines if the contact closure is activated by
either (a) the presence of status or (b) discrete IR
commands.

8. Contact Closure Plug – Three position quick con­nect plug for connecting either a NO (normally
open) or NC (normally closed) contact closure
device to the MSU480

9. Sensor Input – Four position quick connect plug for
connecting IR sensor and/ or IntelliPad‚ to the
MSU480.

10. Sensor Input Labels – Recessed label slot for instal-

lation of preprinted room identification labels.

1

3

8

4

2

7

5

6

9

10

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Installation Considerations

Placement of the MSU480

Place the MSU480 conveniently close to the equipment it will

be controlling. Generally, the unit is placed in a concealed
location because its controls and indicators are only used dur­ing installation. Placement possibilities include:

1) Table-top (on the floor or shelf behind the equipment)
(Figure 2).

2) Wall-mount (affixed to the back of the equipment cabinet
or a nearby wall) (Figure 3).

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IMPORTANT

Do not place the

MSU480 on top of

or directly behind

a television set.

Some television

sets produce intense

electromagnetic

interference which

may disable your

IR extender system.

Figure 2: Table-top placement

Affix the enclosed self-adhesive

rubber feet to the base of the MSU480.

Self-Adhesive
Rubber Feet

POWER

+12V DC

Figure 3: Wall-mount placement

Use sheetrock screws

1234

POWER

+12V DC

3-30V

AC/DC
STATUS

IN

FLASHER OUTPUTS

MSU140

IR MAIN SYSTEM UNIT

INPUT 1

MSU480 Base

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Wiring

From every IR Sensor location you must “home-run” a

category 5 cable back to the MSU480. Home run means that
an individual cable is connected between each IR Sensor and
the MSU480 (Figure 4).

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“TECH TIP”

Wire size is expressed
by it’s AWG (American
Wire Gauge) number.

The lower the AWG

number, the larger

the wire, i.e., 20 AWG

wire is physically

larger than 22 AWG.

IMPORTANT – AVOIDING INTERFERENCE

Avoid locating any of the cables, Sensors, Keypads or the Main

System Unit near any potential sources of Electro-Magnetic

Interference (EMI), such as light dimmers, speed controls for

ceiling fans, electrical ballasts, television sets, large motors,

heaters or air conditioners.

Figure 4: Home run the

sensor cable from the
sensor to the MSU480.

D
A
T
A

S
T
A
T

U

S

G
N
D

+

12

V

Remotely Located

IR Sensors

SENSORS IN

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Intellipad Wiring

When you are placing both an IntelliPad and a sensor (or two

keypads) in one room you may “daisy-chain” using a single
cable. A cable is run between the keypad and the sensor and a
single cable is run from either the sensor back to the MSU480.
To prevent data feedback an IN4003 Blocking Diode is inserted
on the data line between the Intellipad and the sensor. The
cathode, or blocking side of the diode, faces the Intellipad
(Figure 5). Note that status wire is connected to Intellipad’s
status (+) connector.

Sensor/Keypad Cable

The MSU480 connects to IR sensors and the Intellipad with

category 5 cable, with a maximum cable run of 500'.

Flasher Cable

Niles infrared flashers come supplied with a 10 foot 2-conductor

22 gauge cable. Should you need to extend it, use a 16 gauge
2-conductor cable (“zip-cord”). Shielding is not necessary for a

flasher. Flasher wires can be extended up to 200 feet.

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12VDC/
200mA

OUTPUT

1 2345678

FLASHER OUTPUTS

MSU480

IR MAIN SYSTEM UNIT

POWER

+12V DC

3-30V
AC/DC

STATUS

IN

CONTACT
CLOSURE

INPUT 1 INPUT 2 INPUT 3 INPUT 4

HI

LOW

HI
LOW

STATUS
IR

Figure 5: An IR sensor

cable is “daisy-chained”
from an Intellipad, to a
sensor and back to the
MSU480.

IN4003

Blocking

Diode

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System Expansion

System expansion is easily achieved (Figure 6) through the use

of an IRH610 Infrared Sensor Expansion Hub. Please see your
authorized Niles dealer or refer to the IRH610 manual for details.

Installation

Before you begin, make sure that the sensor/keypad cables,

the flasher cables and the 12VDC power supply cable will all
reach the proposed location of the MSU480. Mark the cables
with labels describing where the cable originates (rather than
which terminal on the MSU480 it should connect).

For proper installation, follow the steps outlined in the correct
order. If you discover a fault in the course of installation, go on
to the Troubleshooting Guide before continuing with the next
installation step.

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TOOLS

REQUIRED

• 1/8" Standard

Slotted Screwdriver

• Wire Stripper

8

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12VDC/
200mA

OUTPUT

1 2345678

FLASHER OUTPUTS

MSU480

IR MAIN SYSTEM UNIT

POWER

+12V DC

3-30V
AC/DC

STATUS

IN

CONTACT
CLOSURE

INPUT 1 INPUT 2 INPUT 3 INPUT 4

HI

LOW

HI
LOW

STATUS
IR

OUTPUT TO MSU

POWER

STATUS

+12V DC

IRH610

IR EXPANSION HUB

INPUT 1

INPUT 4 INPUT 5 INPUT 6

INPUT 2 INPUT 3

Infrared

Sensors

IRH610

Expansion Hub

MSU480

Main System Unit

12VDC

Power supply (not

supplied) plugged into

an unswitched outlet

Niles stock#XF00060A

Figure 6

Wiring diagram for

expanding a system
using the IRH610
Infrared Expansion Hub

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STEP

1. Connect and test the
power supply. If it tests
OK, unplug the connector
from the power socket
and proceed.

2. Connect the Sensor/
Keypad cable the Sensor
input.

3. Test for shorts and
interference.

DESCRIPTION

A) Plug the supplied 12VDC power supply into an unswitched

100-240V AC outlet .

B) Plug the connector into the socket marked “Power” on the

MSU480.

C) If the Power LED does not light, test the unswitched

100-240V AC outlet with another appliance. If the outlet tests
OK, you have a defective power supply which must be

replaced for you to continue.

A) Strip 1/4" of insulation from the end of each wire. Tightly twist

the end of each wire until no frayed ends remain.

B) Use a small flathead screwdriver or your thumbnail to raise the

locking tabs, exposing the holes on the removable connectors.

C) Insert each wire into the appropriate hole on the removable

connector plug (Figure 6), and snap the locking tab down.
To help you, the connector plug is keyed. Insert the smooth
side of the connector plug into the smooth side of the socket.
Don’t force the scalloped side of the connector plug into the
smooth side of the socket.

A) Reconnect the power supply. If the Power LED lights and the

IR Test LED stays off, unplug the connector from the power
socket and proceed to Step 4. The following LED conditions

show a fault:

• If Power LED is Off there is a short between +12V and GND

• If IR Test LED is On or Flickers there is a short between DATA
and +12V or Interference is present.

Before you proceed to Step 4 consult the Troubleshooting
Section beginning on page 16.

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STEP

4. Plug the flashers into the
flasher outputs. If you need
to extend the wire, use
a 2-conductor 16 gauge
or larger (See “Tech Tip”
on Page 6).

DESCRIPTION

Route the connecting wire to the IR Main System Unit. Connect
the 3.5mm plug into the jack labeled “Flasher Output” on the
MSU480.

WARNING!

Before connecting flashers to ports 7 & 8 set the HI/LOW switch-

es to the appropriate position. Depending on the flashers being
used:

1. MF1, MF2, MF1VF, MF2VF – LOW position.

2. IRB1 – HI position.

MF Series MicroFlashers may be damaged by excessive flasher
level output from the Main System Unit!

Do not connect any flashers to the 12VD/200mA output at any
time. If 12VDC is applied to the flashers they will be damaged.

11

BE SURE TO OBSERVE
PROPER POLARITY WHEN
EXTENDING THE FLASHER
WIRE.

The wire lead marked with
a gray stripe is positive (+);
the unmarked lead is
negative (-).

“TECH TIP”

Make all final connections

to the MSU before

connecting the power

supply. This will avoid

potential damage

to components.

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Testing the IR Extender System

Test your IR Extender system by following the three principal

guidelines:

1. All components can be operated. Test all of your remote
controls for all of your equipment.

2. Operation is consistent. A good test is to repeatedly step
from Pause to Play with your VCR, CD, DVD, or Tape player
remote control. Operation should be identical to standing
in front of the component with the remote control pointed
directly at the sensor window.

3. Maximum Range between the Remote Control and the
Niles IR Sensor is similar to the maximum range between
the Remote Control and the A/V component’s IR sensor.
Typically a remote control with two batteries will have a 15
to 20 foot range and a remote with four batteries will have
a 20 to 30 foot range.

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12 Volt Trigger Output

The Niles MSU480 provides a 12VDC output that can be trig-

gered one of two ways:

1. The presence of status voltage on the 3-30V AC/DC status
input jack or

2. Discrete infrared on and off commands.

The discrete on and off commands are available for download
at: www.nilesaudio.com/techsupport. This output can be used
to trigger any device that requires 12VDC to be activated.
Examples include:

•Dropping a motorized screen

• Activating a television lift

•Turning on a voltage controlled switching device (e.g.: Niles
AC-3 voltage controlled switched outlet).

Installation

Simply plug a cable with a 3.5mm plug (tip=positive,

sleeve=ground) into the jack labeled “12VDC/200mA OUT­PUT”. Connect the other end of the cable to the device that
will be triggered or activated (Figure 7).

3-30

V

AC/D

C

S

TAT

US

Figure 7

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Contact Closure

The Niles MSU480 provides a contact closure that can be

triggered one of two ways:

1. The presence of status voltage on the 3-30V AC/DC status
input jack or

2. Discrete infrared on and off commands.

Set the contact closure dip switch, located above the screwless
connector, to the appropriate position for triggering
(Figure 8).

The discrete on and off commands are available for download
at: www.nilesaudio.com/techsupport

Power Status — Introduction

The Niles MSU480 status port accepts 3-30V AC/DC input

voltage and provides a visible status indication at the infrared
sensor or IntelliPad.

When the MSU480 sees 3-30V AC/DC at the status jack it
broadcasts a status signal over the IR sensor wires. Any appro­priate sensor or keypad connected to one of the sensor wires
will display power status.

CO

NTA

CT

CLOSURE

T 4

S

TAT

US

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Figure 8 Contact closure

NOTE:

The MS100 and CS100

sensors do not provide

status feedback.

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Power Status — Installation Considerations

Proper Power Supply

You may connect a Niles 12VDC wall adapter (Niles FG00665)

into the switched AC power outlet of the preamp/receiver in
your system. Any 3-30V AC/DC power supply with a minimum
of 20mA current capacity can be substituted.

Extending the Cable

If you must extend the cable from the wall adapter to the

MSU480’s status input jack be sure to maintain correct polarity.
The tip of the plug should be positive (+) and the sleeve nega­tive (-). Any 16 gauge 2-conductor cable can be used to extend

the power status cable up to 200 feet.

Troubleshooting Guidelines

There are three basic problems which prevent proper opera-

tion. In the order of probability the problems are:

1.Bad Connections or Wiring

If the connections or wiring are wrong, loose, shorted or open

the system will not operate properly. The symptoms could
include: Power LED flickers or is off, IR Test LED is continuously
flickering or on without any remote control use, intermittent
operation or no operation.

Test your power supply connections.
Test your Sensor connections.
Test your Flasher connections.
Tests your cable for shorts and opens.

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2.Optical or Electromagnetic Interference

Direct sunlight, reflections, neon signs and other sources of

infrared light or television sets, light dimming controls and
other sources of electromagnetic fields can induce noise and
interference into your IR extender system. Symptoms can
include: flashback LED’s continuously flickering or on without
any remote control use, poor range, intermittent operation or
no operation.

3.Optical Feedback Loop

If you have an IR sensor in the same room as a flasher, and you

have some low-level noise or interference, an optical feedback
loop can occur which will interfere with proper operation.
Symptoms can include: poor range, intermittent operation or
no operation.

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Specifications

IR System

Compatible with virtually all brands of
remotes using carrier frequencies
between 26 and 105kHz.

W

iring Requirements
Individual home-runs of category 5 cable
from each sensor/keypad.

Unit Dimensions
7-1/16” wide x 1-1/4” high x 3” deep

Power Requir

ements
12VDC 1.25A regulated power supply
(included).

Contents

MSU480 1

Contact Closur

e

Connector 1

Scr

ewless Connectors 4

Power Supply

1

Self-Adhesive
Rubber Feet 4

DS00330ACN/MSU480 12/19/03 9:05 AM Page 17

Addendum: Using the MSU480 with the IntelliControl

®

automation system

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mA

235

6

FLASHER OUTPUT

S

MSU

480

I

MAIN YTEM

NI

+1

2V D

C

CO

NTA

CT

INPUT 1INPUT 2INPUT 3INPUT

4

HI

L

OW

HI

L

OW

S

TAT

US

I

R

Using the MSU480 with the IntelliControl Home

Theater automation system

When connecting an MSU flasher output to an IntelliControl

“Home Theater” port, a 150-Ohm resistor must be placed
between the data and the ground line of the IntelliControl IR
sensor input (see figure above). No resistor is needed if the
MSU is being connected to the ”2nd Zone” port of the
IntelliControl.

DS00330ACN/MSU480 12/19/03 9:05 AM Page 18

Niles Audio

Corporation

www.nilesaudio.com

12331 S.W. 130 Street
Miami, Florida, 33186

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

©2004 Niles Audio Corporation. All rights reserved. Niles, the Niles logo, IntelliPad and Blending High Fidelity

and Architecture are registered trademarks of Niles Audio Corporation. MicroFlasher is a trademark of Niles
Audio Corporation. Because we strive to improve our products. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners. Niles reserves the right to change product specifications without notice. The technical and
other information contained herein is not intended to set forth all technical and other specifications of
Niles products. Additional information can be obtained on-line at www.nilesaudio.com or by calling Niles at
1-800-289-4434. 01/04 Printed in China DS00330ACN

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