Radial Engineering 500 Series, Workhorse Powerstrip 500 Series User Manual

True to the Music

www.radialeng.com

®

True to the Music

®

User Guide

Workhorse

™

Powerstrip

™

500 Series Rack

www.radialeng.com

Radial Engineering Ltd.
1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam
British Columbia, Canada, V3C 5M5
tel: [phone] • fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail]

!

IMPORTANT SAFETY & USER NOTICE - FOR PROFESSIONAL USE

The Radial® Workhorse™ Powerstrip™ is specifi cally designed for use
by qualifi ed professional audio engineers. The open frame design is
not intended for use by consumers or those unfamiliar with this format.
Even though the current and voltage levels are relatively low, we
recommend that all slots be fi lled with a module or covers be placed
over unfi lled slots. This will help protect you from electrical shock.

The Powerstrip rack frame is designed to be used with 500 series or
what are commonly known as Lunchbox™ modules. The Workhorse
Powerstrip has been designed following the framework as outlined by
the VPR Alliance as described on the API™ website. Although some
manufacturers build modules that are not VPR compliant, they may in fact
work with the Powerstrip. Please consult those specifi c manufacturers for
details regarding their compatibility. The Radial Workhorse Open Source
Document outlines the required technical specifi cations for manufacturers
that intend to have their modules used in a Workhorse or Powerstrip
frame. Compatibility of any modules other than a module made by Radial
Engineering Ltd. is the sole responsibility of the user. Please read the
Limited Radial Warranty for details. There are no replacement or user
serviceable parts inside.

!

SAFETY NOTICE - NO HOT SWAPPING OF MODULES

Hot Swapping, or exchanging modules while the power is on is not covered

under the Radial Limited Warranty. The user is responsible for any damage
to the Workhorse Powerstrip or module arising out of hot swapping and the
user shall save Radial Engineering Ltd. harmless should any damage occur.

Please consult the Radial Limited Warranty for further details.

Powerstrip™ Power Rack

True to the Music

®

Radial Engineering Ltd.

Radial Workhorse Powerstrip

500 Series Power Rack

™™

®

Table of Contents Page

Feature set overview ....................................................................................................1

Introduction & basic functions.......................................................................................3

Omniport .......................................................................................................................5

Power supply capacity ..................................................................................................6

Sliding modules in and out ...........................................................................................7

Signal fl ow and levels ..................................................................................................8

Using the Powerstrip ....................................................................................................9

Radial Limited Warranty ................................................................................Back Cover

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Radial Workhorse Powerstrip, an innova­tive three module card frame designed for the 500 series modular format. This guide describes
how to approach using the Powerstrip, and how to install modules safely. We recommend
that you take a few minutes to read it in order to familiarize yourself with the many innovative
features that are built in.

To make this guide as easy to understand as possible, we have divided it into several sec­tions. It begins with an overview, then descriptions of each function, ending with some real
world applications. Should you have any questions, comments or concerns not covered in
these pages, we invite you to log onto the Radial web site at www.radialeng.com and visit the
Powerstrip FAQ section. This is where we post the latest updates and answers from users. If
you do not fi nd what you need, feel free to send us an email at [e-mail] and we
will do our best to answer your question as quickly as possible.

Now get ready to bring the fun & excitement of old school analog into your signal path.

Radial Engineering Ltd.

Powerstrip™ Power Rack

True to the Music

®

1. CARD SLOTS: Three 500 series modules will fi t in the Powerstrip’s space-saving 1RU
horizontal format.

2. CARD SLOT BACK PLANE: Modules can draw as much current as they need from a
shared pool of 500mA through the card slot connector.

3. EASY-GLIDE TRAY: Slide-in platform for modules makes connecting to the back plane
easy by properly aligning card edge height. Removable for non-standard modules.

4. DC FILTER CAPS: On-board DC fi ltering provides additional power conditioning.

5. STEEL RACKMOUNT CASE: The Powerstrip’s standard 19” 1RU (rack-unit) chassis

is made from heavy 14 gauge steel to provide extra shielding against stray magnetic
fi elds and RF.

FRONT PANEL FEATURE SET

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Powerstrip™ Power Rack

True to the Music

®

Radial Engineering Ltd.

REAR PANEL FEATURE SET

6. PWR LED: LED indicator will illuminate when the external power supply is connected

and energized.

7. EXTERNAL POWER: High current external switching supply delivers 500mA to the
card slots.

8. 48 VOLT PHANTOM: On/off switch for phantom power. LED indicator will illuminate
when active.

9. BALANCED I/O: Follows original XLR I/O format and adds parallel 1/4” TRS jacks for
added connectivity and cross-patching.

10. OMNIPORT™: ¼” TRS connectors add functionality to enhance each module’s
capability as set by the manufacturer.

11. STEREO LINK: Makes it easy to pair up modules equipped with a stereo link function
in standard master/slave confi guration.

12. FEED FUNCTION: Lets you connect one module into the next to set up elaborate
channel strips without having to hard patch modules using cables.

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