Page 1
INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDE
Niles Audio Corporation
www.nilesaudio.com
12331 S.W. 130 Street
Miami, Florida 33186
Tel: (305) 238-4373
Fax: (305) 238-0185
©2003 Niles Audio Corporation. All rights reserved. Niles, the Niles logo, and Blending Technology and Architecture are registered trademarks of Niles Audio Corporation. Decora is a registered trademark of Leviton Manufacturing. All other trademarks
are the property of their respective owners. Some of Niles products (or components thereof) are manufactured under one or more
U.S. Patents, foreign equivalents and/or pending patents (see product for details). Because we constantly strive to improve our
products, Niles reserves the right to change product specifications, descriptions, and prices without notice. The technical and
other specifications of information contained herein is not intended to set forth all technical and other specifications of Niles
products. Additional information can be obtained at www.nilesaudio.com or by calling Niles at 1-800-289-4434. Printed in
China 7/03 DS00310BCN
VCS 100
VCS 100
VCS 100R
VCS 100R
High-Power Stereo Volume Controls
B LENDING H IGH F IDELITY AND A RCHITECTURE
®
Page 2
H IGH-PO WER S TEREO V OLUME C ONTROLS
H IGH-PO WER S TEREO V OLUME C ONTROLS
VCS 10 0
VCS 100R
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Features and
Benefits 1
Installation
Considerations 3
Installation 6
Operation 8
Specifications 9
Contents 9
INTRODUCTION
The VCS 100 is a wall mount, stereo speaker volume control. It connects between the speaker-level output of an amplifier, speaker selector, or distribution hub and a pair of speakers.
A perfect application for the VCS 100 is adjusting the volume of remotely located speakers. The
VCS 100 adjusts the volume of speakers connected to it by attenuating the amplifier signal. To
assure minimal dissipation of internal power with virtually no power wasted as heat, Niles
volume controls use autoformers instead of L-pads as the volume-controlling element.
The VCS 100 is an impedance-magnifying (IM) volume control. Unlike other brands, it has
additional autoformer windings that magnify the impedance of connected speakers,
while allowing all 12 steps to adjust the volume of the sound. Switches on the PC board select
these windings.
With the volume control providing impedance protection for your amplifier, you can create
systems with no additional impedance-matching devices between the volume control and
the amplifier.
In a typical application of IM controls, a system has eight pairs of 8-ohm speakers throughout
the house and in adjacent outdoor locations. Connect each pair of speakers to an IM volume
control with its switch in the 8x position, eliminating the need for an external impedancematching device to protect the amplifier. Even when playing all eight speaker pairs at once, the
amplifier runs at normal operating temperatures.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
The VCS 100 offers a number of improvements over other
volume controls:
• Interchangeable Decora-style inserts for fast, easy color
change. Inserts and knobs (sold separately) are available in a
variety of colors.
• A universal impedance-magnifying design enables the VCS
100 to act as both a stereo and an impedance magnifying
volume control. You can magnify the speakers’ impedance
by a factor of two, four, or eight.
• Unlike other impedance-matching volume-control products,
Niles IM volume controls maintain a 12-position adjustment
regardless of how much impedance magnification you use,
with total attenuation >48dB.
• Pop-free switching between all steps.
• Redesigned autoformers provide superior sonic performance,
exceeding the audio quality of non-impedance magnifying
volume controls.
• Isolated left and right-channel grounds ensure safety with
any amplifier.
• May be used with 4-, 6-, or 8-ohm speaker systems.
• Ideal for home and commercial sound installations.
• UL rated to comply with all local building codes.
• Available colors: almond, black, bone, brown, and white.
• Installation requires only a screwdriver and wire stripper.
• Mounting depth of only 2-9/16". Fits into standard 18-cubicinch one-gang junction boxes.
• Power handling: 100W/channel RMS.
• Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz ±2dB.
• Ten years parts and labor warranty.
Some speakers have selectable impedance.
Before you proceed, please confirm that any
selectable-impedance speakers in your system
are properly set for the system you are installing.
TECH TIP
2
Page 3
H IGH-PO WER S TEREO V OLUME C ONTROLS
12 AWG
14 AWG
H IGH-PO WER S TEREO V OLUME C ONTROLS
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
Calculating the Impedance Magnification Setting
Use the following instructions and the accompanying charts to
select the correct switch setting for the number and type of
speakers in your system.
CAUTION! Every speaker pair in the system must be connected to an impedance-magnifying volume control and set to the
same magnification.
1. Count the number of pairs of 4-ohm speakers and the number of pairs of 8-ohm speakers you are connecting. Count
pairs of 6-ohm speakers as 4-ohm pairs.
2. Determine whether the amplifier should see a 4-ohm load or
an 8-ohm load. This information is typically found in the
owner’s manual of the amplifier.
3. Read the correct switch position from the charts on page 7.
See Figure 4 if your amplifier can drive a 4-ohm load. See
Figure 5 if your amplifier must have an 8-ohm speaker load.
4. Set the switches on all of the controls to the same
position (1x, 2x, 4x, or 8x). See Figure 7.
Limitations in Volume with High
Magnification Settings
Using an 8x setting limits the
power to each speaker pair to oneeighth of the amplifier’s output.
In a typical application of IM volume controls, a system has eight
pairs of 8-ohm speakers throughout
the house and in adjacent outdoor
locations. Each pair of speakers is
connected to an IM volume control
with its switches set for 8x.
With eight pairs of speakers, one-eighth of the amplifier’s
power is available to any pair. Therefore, an amplifier rated at
100W per channel RMS into 8 ohms will deliver up to 12.5W
to each of the eight pairs – whether you play all eight pairs or
just one pair. This translates into a drop in the maximum volume capability of about 9dB at the 8x setting.
TOOLS REQUIRED
• 1/8" Standard
Slotted Screwdriver
• 1/4" Standard
Slotted Screwdriver
• Wire Stripper
USING SPEAKER SELECTORS WITH IM VOLUME
CONTROLS
Although IM controls provide volume and on/off at the volumecontrol location, they do not give you central control of speakers playing throughout the house.
Speaker-selection systems give you central control, but some
speaker selectors have non-defeatable impedance-protection
circuits. Combining IM controls with such a selector will
reduce your maximum volume substantially. To solve this problem, specify a speaker selector with a defeatable protection circuit (Niles models HPS4, HPS6, SS-4, or SS-6). Keep the protection circuit off at all times.
JUNCTION BOXES
The mounting depth of the VCS 100 is 2-9/16". When installed,
the unit extends 2-1/16" behind the sheetrock wall (assuming
1/ 2" sheetrock). For installation, use a standard 18-cubic-inch
(or larger) junction box. Suitable junction boxes are available
from your Niles dealer or local electrical-supply company.
TYPE OF SPEAKER WIRE
We recommend 16-gauge
stranded copper speaker
wire for most connections,
and 14-gauge wire for runs
longer than 80 feet. Don’t
use speaker wire larger
than 14 gauge, because
larger wire may not fit into
the connectors. Never use
solid-core, aluminum, or
TECH TIP
Wire size is expressed by its
AWG (American Wire Gauge)
number. The lower the AWG
number, the larger the wire.
Thus, 12 AWG wire is physically
larger than 14 AWG.
Romex wire with an IM volume control. For speaker-wire runs
within walls, most U.S. states and municipalities require a special type of speaker wire with a specific CL fire rating, such as
CL-2 or CL-3. Consult your Niles dealer, building contractor, or
local building-inspection department if you aren’t sure what
kind of wire is best for your application.
MOUNTING LOCATIONS
Some states or municipalities allow installation of devices such
as Niles speaker volume controls in the same junction box as
11 0V devices, with a low-voltage partition between the
devices. We do not recommend this, because speaker wires
can act as an antenna for electrical noise. Locating speaker
wires too close to a light switch or dimmer may cause the
speakers to emit a popping or buzzing sound. If you must
locate the volume control near electrical devices, install it in a
separate metal junction box, ground the box to the electricalsystem ground, and route the speaker wires several feet away
from the electrical wiring.
Convenient mounting locations include:
• Near doorways.
• Near a desk.
• At your bedside.
• Close to a telephone.
• Near other wall-mounted controls.
43
Page 4
H IGH-PO WER S TEREO V OLUME C ONTROLS
H IGH-PO WER S TEREO V OLUME C ONTROLS
Figure 1 Figure 2
DECORA®FACEPLATES
The VCS 100 is designed to use standard and Decora-style faceplate mounting hardware. You can combine multiple Decorastyle modules (if all are low-voltage controls) within one Decora
faceplate (up to six-gang) with color-matched plate screws.
Decora plates and screws are available from your Niles dealer.
CHANGING THE COLOR OF THE KNOB AND THE
DECORA INSERT
The Decora-style insert and knob on the VCS 100 is removable,
allowing fast and easy color changes as needed. Inserts and
knobs ar e available in a variety of colors. To change the color of
your unit:
1. Obtain the appropriate knob and Decora-style insert in the
desired color from your Niles dealer.
2. Pull the knob off the shaft. See Figure 1.
3. Next, locate the two plastic mounting tabs at the top rear of
the Decora-style insert. Using two fingers, simultaneously
press both tabs down (towards the center of the insert) and
forward (away from you) until the insert pops free from its
mounting slots.
4. Locate the new Decora-style insert. Hold the volume control
facing you. Insert the two bottom tabs into the bottom slots first,
then the two tabs on the top (see Figure 2). Press carefully on
the front of the insert to snap it into place.
5. Locate the new knob. Align its flat side to the flat side of the
shaft, and push the knob onto the shaft. Holding the unit as
shown in Figure 1, check the alignment of the knob by turning
it through all positions.
PREPARING FOR INSTALLATION
Before you install the VCS 100 into an existing wall, consider
the possibility of hidden obstructions inside the wall, such as
wood and metal studs; electrical, telephone, or other wiring;
plumbing; conduit; and old wall safes.
1. Install the junction box in the usual manner.
2. Run all necessary wiring to the volume control. Label the
wires for future reference.
INSTALLATION
1. Locate the connector plugs (and
remove them if they are
plugged in). See Figure 6.
2. Strip 1/4" of insulation from the
end of each wire. Tightly twist
the end of each wire until no
frayed ends remain.
3. Use a small flathead screwdriver or your thumbnail to raise
the locking tabs, exposing the
holes on the removable connector plug.
4. Insert each wire into the appropriate hole on the removable
connector plug, and snap the
locking tab down.
NOTE: Maintain proper phasing. Connect the positive terminals on the volume control to the positive terminals on the
amplifier and speakers, and connect the negative terminals on
the volume control to the negative terminals on the amplifier
and speakers. See Figure 3. To help you avoid improper phasing, the connector plug is keyed. Insert the smooth side of the
connector plug into the smooth side of the socket. Don’t force
Receiver
From Amplifier
(Input)
To Speakers
(Output)
Speakers
Figure 3
Wiring Diagram
VCS100
the scalloped side of the connector plug into the smooth side
of the socket. See Figure 6.
5. Set the Impedance Magnification Switch (See Figure 7) as
determined by the IM charts (Figures 4 and 5).
6. Plug the connectors into the volume control as shown in
Figure 6. The inputs of the IM volume control are the connector pins labeled AMPLIFIER. The outputs are the connector pins labeled SPEAKERS.
NOTE: If you reverse these connections, the volume control
won’t function properly.
7. Secure the volume control to the junction box. Insert the
1-1/ 4" device screws into the oblong screw holes on the top
and bottom of the volume control. The oblong shape of the
screw holes helps you place the volume control in a vertical
position. Align the screws with the threaded holes
in the junction box. Tighten the screws using a Phillips
screwdriver. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. If necessary, loosen
these screws several turns so the volume control fits flush
with the faceplate.
8. Use the shorter plate screws to fasten the Decora faceplate
to the volume control.
10. Align all the screws in the same direction for a clean,
finished look.
65
Page 5
H IGH-PO WER S TEREO V OLUME C ONTROLSH IGH-PO WER S TEREO V OLUME C ONTROLS
8x
4x
8x
4x
4x
AMPLIFIER
S
MINIMUMSPEAKER
L
O
AD I
S8OHMS
4 OH
M
Speake
r
Pair
s
023
234
5
678
2x
8x
AMPLIFIER’S MINIMUM SPEAKER LOAD IS 4 OHMS
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2x
4x
8x
012345678910111213141516
8 OHM Speaker Pairs
4 OHM
Speaker
Pairs
1x
Figure 4
Figure 6
Figure 5
Figure 7
OPERATION
1. Make sure the amplifier or receiver
power is OFF and set the volume
to minimum.
2. Set the volume on the volume control
to maximum (fully clockwise).
3. If you are using a Niles speaker-
selection system, locate the
ON/OFF button that corresponds to
the speaker pair you wish to play.
Set it to the ON position. Make sure the defeatable protection circuit is not enabled. See Using Speaker Selectors with
IM Volume Controls, on page 3.
4. Turn ON the amplifier or receiver and select a source, such
as the tuner or CD player.
5. Slowly turn up the amplifier or receiver volume and set it to
a comfortable – not maximum – listening level. Don’t overdrive or "clip" your amplifier. If the sound becomes muddy or
distorted, you have reached the limit of your amplifier’s volume capability. Reduce the volume at once to avoid damaging your speakers.
Figure 8
Loosening the
Screws for a Flush Fit
6. Use the volume control to adjust the volume of the speakers
to the desired listening level. If all the speaker pairs in your
system are equipped with Niles volume controls, you can set
the amplifier or receiver volume at one position and use the
Niles controls exclusively.
7. To turn OFF the speakers, turn the knob on the volume con-
trol fully counter-clockwise, or press the ON/OFF button on
your speaker selector.
MAINTENANCE
Niles volume controls do not require any regular maintenance
other than occasional cleaning. Use a damp soft cloth and simply wipe the knob and wallplate clean. Do not use an abrasive
cleanser as this might scratch the surface of the wallplate.
When using a receiver, set all of your IM volume
controls at maximum volume. Then turn up the
master volume on the receiver until you reach the
maximum listening level. Finally, turn down the
volume controls.
TECH TIP
87
Page 6
H IGH-PO WER S TEREO V OLUME C ONTROLS
H IGH-PO WER S TEREO V OLUME C ONTROLS
SPECIFICATIONS
Audio Power Handling
100W/channel RMS
200W/channel peak music power
Mounting
In-wall, fits into most 18-cubic-inch single-gang junction boxes
at least 2-3/4" deep
iring Requirements
W
14-16 gauge, two individual runs of two-conductor speaker
wire, or one run of four-conductor speaker wire.
Unit Dimensions
1-5/8" wide x 2-5/8" high
Faceplate Dimensions
Faceplate: 2-3/4" wide x 4-1/2" high
Depth Behind Faceplate
2-9/16"
CONTENTS
VCS 100R
• VCS 100 volume control
• Snap-on Decora color insert
• Decora wallplate
• Standard wallplate
• Knob
• Device mounting screws X2
• Faceplate screws X2
• Removable speaker connector X2
VCS 100
• VCS 100 Volume Control
• Snap-on Decora color insert
• Knob
• Device mounting screws X2
• Removable speaker connector X2
(a) Electrical Box
(b) Speaker Wire
(c) VCS 100 Volume Control (supplied)
(d) Snap-on Color Insert (supplied)
(e) Knob (supplied)
(f) Device Screws (2 supplied)
(g) Decora Wallplate (supplied)
a
b
c
Figure 9
d
e
f
g
(h) Faceplate Screws (2 supplied)
h
109
Loading...