Amperes AX3800 User manual

Thank youfor choosing another quality product fromAmperes Electronics.
AX3800 provides a better way of a standby amplifier to overtake a failed duty unit automatically in PA installation. Packed
with efficient circuitry with features such as overload protection, interval Pilot Tone generation and data output for remote
monitoring, it shall be the right choice for setups with lesser human interaction in ensuring uninterrupted operation of PA
system.
Though it is rather simple in the installation works, a brief read through the manual is recommended and we are confident
that you are getting a product of excellence.
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
AX3800
Auto Standby Amplier Fault Changeover
8 Duty / 1 Standby
VER 3 / 2015
amperes
AX 3800
AMP. FAULT
AMP. CHANGEOVER
AMP. NORMAL
5 64321 6AMP. NUMBER 7 8
PILOT TONE
STANDBY AMP. FAULT
IMPROVED

Parts Identification
Front View
Rear View
PAGE 2 AX3800 | AUTO STANDBY AMPLIFIER FAULT CHANGEOVER
1
2
3
5
4
6
910
8
7
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
1. NORMAL LEDs
2. FAULT LEDs
3. CHANGEOVER LEDs
4. STANDBY AMP FAULT LED
5. PILOT TONE ACTIVE
6. FAULT BUZZER
Amplifiers connected to the unit which is operating in good condition shall be represented by the green LEDs.
Amplifiers not connected should be switched to disconnect at the rear of the panel to avoid false identification.
Amplifiers detected as faulty would be represented by the red LEDs. Fault condition is detected when the Pilot Tone
is not detected at the amplifier's 100V line output.
In the event of standby takeover of the faulty duty amplifier , the LED shall lit at the faulty channel. At any one time,
only one take over shall take place to prevent overloading.
This LED shall lit when the standby amplifier is detected as faulty. When this occurs, a changeover shall not take
place whenever any duty unit is found faulty.
Pilot tone shall be sent at intervals to every channel of amplifier inputs. Whenever this is sent, the LED shall lit.
Whenever a faulty channel is detected, a buzzer shall be activated and the alarm can be switched off while the red
LED shall remain on.
amperes
AX 3800
AMP. FAULT
AMP. CHANGEOVER
AMP. NORMAL
5 64321 6AMP. NUMBER 7 8
PILOT TONE
STANDBY AMP. FAULT
DC 24V
0.5 A
+-
IN- IN+
OUT+
IN-
IN+
OUT+
OUT-
OUT-
IN-
IN+
OUT+
IN-
IN +
OUT + OUT -
OUT-
IN- IN+
OUT+
IN-
IN+
OUT+
OUT-
OUT-
IN+
IN-
CHANNEL 3CHANNEL 4
CHANNEL 5CHANNEL 6
CHANNEL 7CHANNEL 8 STANDBY
AMP
CHAN. 1
ON CHAN. 2 ON CHAN. 3 ON CHAN. 4 ON CHAN. 5 ON CHAN. 6 ON
HIGH
CASCADE
LOW
CHANNEL 8
+ - G + -
INPUT
OUTPUT
CHANNEL 7
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
CHANNEL 6
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
CHANNEL 5
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
CHANNEL 4
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
CHANNEL 1 STANDBY
+ - G + - +- G
OUTPUT
INPUT
OUTPUT
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
CHANNEL / AMP. DETECTION SWITCHES
SWITCH TO OFF FOR UNUSED CHANNEL
FAULT
CONT.
3A NO
MAX
AUDIO SIGNAL INPUTS / OUTPUTS
RS 485
AB
CHANNEL 3
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL CHANNEL 2
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
IN- IN+
OUT+
IN-
IN+
OUT+
OUT-
OUT-
CHANNEL 1CHANNEL 2
CHAN. 7
ON CHAN. 8 ON
ON
AX3800
AMP. AUTO FAULT
CHANGEOVER

Parts Identification
PAGE 3
AX3800 | AUTO STANDBY AMPLIFIER FAULT CHANGEOVER
7. AUDIO IN / OUTPUT PORTS
8. SIGNAL LINK SWITCH
9. STANDBY AMPLIFIER INPUT SOURCE
10. FAULT CONTACT PORT
11. POWER INPUT SOURCE
12. AMPLIFIER OUTPUT TERMINALS
13. STANDBY AMPLIFIER OUTPUT TERMINALS
This port is connected to the 100V output from standby amplifier.
14. CHANNEL AMPLIFIER DETECTION SWITCH
15. CASCADE LINK
16. RS485 PORT *
17. UNIT ADDRESS DIP SWITCH
When it is required to be linked to Amperes PMX II software for monitoring purpose, the unit / units are required to be
addressed. Binary code addressing is used in setting the unit’s ID.
Audio output from pre-amplifier mixer is connected to this port at "Input" terminals before link it to the amplifier audio
input via "Output" terminals. Signal ground shall be joint together as they are common. If all amplifiers share
a common source, terminate only at channel 1 and utilise the signallinkswitchto join all theinputterminals. Please
refer to the chapter " Connecting Input Source ".
Switching the switch on shall link the input source from one channel to the other. Use this only when two or more
amplifiers share common input source. For matrix system, some zones may have different sources, thereby
please disable the switch to break the joint to the adjacent channel.
Connect the input source of standby amplifier to this port. Whenever a faulty channel is detected and a changeover
takes place, the input source of the standby unit shall be directed to the source of the affected channel.
Ifachangeover takesplace ora faultis detected,this shallprovide adry contactand beconnected toexternaldevices
for monitoring purpose.
This equipment operates under 24V DC. Please use recommended power supply - Amperes PS9400 or regulated
power adaptor. Please observe polarity when connecting.
Connect 100V outputs from amplifiers to the "Input" and the "Output" terminal shall then be connected tospeaker
zone selectors.
If any of the channel is not used the corresponding channel switch should be turned off to avoid false detection.
Two or more of AX3800 can be used when only a standby amplifier is available to serve more than 8duty units. Use
this link in whenmore thenoneAX3800isusedinthesystem.Please refer to thesection" Cascading more than one
unit ".
This is for external monitoring purpose via RS485 protocol.
Note :
The AX3800 monitoring interface is a part of PMX II LAN software.

General Schematic 1 : Single Source Setup
INPUT SOURCES
DUTY AMP 1
DUTY AMP 8
STANDBY AMP
AX3800
E/M PANEL
PRE-AMP MIXER
ZONE SELECTOR VOLUME CONTROL
SPEAKERS
O/RIDE VOLTAGE AUDIO SIGNAL
100V LINE OUTPUT
AUDIO +
PILOT TONE
100V OUTPUT
The above schematic is typical for single audio source application. For uninterrupted paging setup, (2 audio source with separate amplifiers for paging and BGM, connections shall be typical to Matrix paging installations. Please cascade more than one AX3800 when only a single standby power amplifiers is available to serve more than 8 duty power packs.
FIRE
O
I
amperes
MX2222
POWER
OFF SELECT
TUNER CD CASS
OFF
MASTER
MUSIC SOURCE
SIGI N
BASS
MAXMIN
EXT INPUT
MAX MAXMIN
SOURCE
MIN
SIGI N
CHIME MIXER TREBLE
MAXMIN
TONE CTRL
CH5 CH6CH4
SIGI NSIGIN SIGIN
MAXMIN MAXMIN MIN
CH3CH1 CH2
SIGINSIGIN
MAXMIN MAXMIN MAXMIN MAX
AUX
SIGI N
ZS 5121
PUBLICADDRESS POWER AMPLIFIER
SIGNAL-40 dB SIGNAL-10 dB
POWER PROTECT
CLIP
PA 2480
amperes
PUBLICADDRESS POWER AMPLIFIER
SIGNAL-40 dB SIGNAL-10 dB
POWER PROTECT
CLIP
PA 2480
amperes
PUBLICADDRESS POWER AMPLIFIER
SIGNAL-40 dB SIGNAL-10 dB
POWER PROTECT
CLIP
PA 2480
amperes
PAGE 4 AX3800 | AUTO STANDBY AMPLIFIER FAULT CHANGEOVER
amperes
AX 3800
AMP.FAULT
AMP.CHANGEOVER
AMP.NORMAL
5 64321 6AMP.NUMBER 7 8
PILOTTONE
STANDBYAMP. FAULT

General Schematic 2: Multiple Source Setup / Matrix
INPUT SOURCES
DUTY
AMP 1
DUTY AMP 8
STANDBY AMP
AX3800
MATRIX MIXER
ZONE SELECTOR VOLUME CONTROL
SPEAKERS
O/RIDE VOLTAGE
AUDIO SIGNAL
100V LINE OUTPUT
AUDIO +
PILOT TONE
100V OUTPUT
The above illustrates a typical schematic for multiple input sources to
amplifiers setup such as matrix system and uninterrupted paging
installations. In a matrix system, speaker zone selector may not be required as
normally each output of amplifier shall represent a specific zone.
Please cascade more than one AX3800 when only a single standby
power amplifiers is available to serve more than 8 duty power packs.
DUTY AMP 2
PAGE 5AX3800 | AUTO STANDBY AMPLIFIER FAULT CHANGEOVER
ZS 5121
amperes
AX 3800
AMP.FAULT
AMP.CHANGEOVER
AMP.NORMAL
56
43
2
16AMP.NUMBER 7 8
PILOTTONE
STANDBYAMP. FAULT

Connecting The Unit - Audio Inputs / Outputs
IN- IN+
OUT+
IN- IN+
OUT-
OUT-
IN+
IN-
CHANNEL 1CHAN 2 STANDBY
AMP
AN. 1
ON CHAN. 2 ON CHAN OCHAN. 4 ON CHAN. 5 ON HAN. 6 ON
HIGH
CASC E
CHANNEL 4
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
CHANNEL 3
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
CHANNEL 2
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
CHANNEL 1 STANDBY
+ - G + - + - G
OUTPUT
INPUT
OUTPUT
OPEN OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
NPUTS/OUTPU CHANNEL / AM ETECTION SWITCHES
SWITCH TO O OR UNUSED CHANNEL
FAULT
CONT.
3A NO
MAX
UDIO SIGNAL INPUTS / OUTP
RS 485
AB
FROM MIXER
BGM SOURCE
3
FROM MIXER
BGM SOURCE
2
FROM MIXER
BGM SOURCE
1
LINK
SWITCH 1
LINK
SWITCH 2
LINK
SWITCH 3
TO
AMPLIFIER
INPUT 4
TO
AMPLIFIER
INPUT 3
TO
AMPLIFIER
INPUT 2
TO
AMPLIFIER
INPUT 1
TO
STANDBY
AMPLIFIER
INPUT
IF ONLY A SOURCE IS TO BE CONNECTED TO ALL AMPLIFIERS:
NOTE :
PAGE 6 AX3800 | AUTO STANDBY AMPLIFIER FAULT CHANGEOVER
The above shall be for a setup of :
Amplifier 1 and 2 with same input source ; thus only input port of channel 1 is connected.
The Link Switch 1 is switched to link position.
Amplifier 3 and 4 shall have separate BGM source and their outputs shall be connected to therespectiveampli-
fier inputs.
Link Switches 2 and 3 shall be at OPEN position.
In the case that a single source is used for the whole installation, connect only to channel 1 and set allthelink switches
to LINK position.
Input and Output signal from AX3800 shall have unity gain. Therefore a single source shall be limited to max 6 output
channels. If a source were to be connected to more than 6 amplifiers, it is recommended that a distribution amplifier is
used before connecting it to the AX3800 input port.
Having a source connected directly to more than 6 amplifiers may cause impedancedrop, probablycausingdistorted
sound quality as well as signal drop.

Connecting The Unit - Amplifier Inputs - Outputs
IN-
IN+
OUT+
IN-
IN+
OUT+
OUT-
OUT-
IN-
IN+
OUT+
IN - IN +
OUT + OUT -
OUT-
IN-
IN+
OUT+
IN-
IN+
OUT+
OUT-
OUT-
IN+
IN-
CHANNEL 1CHANNEL 2CHANNEL 3CHANNEL 4
CHANNEL 5CHANNEL 6 STANDBY
AMP
CHAN. 1
ON CHAN. 2 ON CHAN. 3 ON CHAN. 4 ON CHAN. 5 ON CHAN. 6 ON
CHANNEL 6
+ - G + -
INPUT
OUTPUT
CHANNEL 5
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
CHANNEL 4
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
CHANNEL 3
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
CHANNEL 2
+ - G + -
OUTPUT INPUT
CHANNEL 1
+ - G +
INPU
OUTPUT
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
OPENLINK
LINK
SIGNAL
AMPLIFIER 70/100V LINE INPUTS/OUTPUTS CHANNEL / AMP. DETECTION SWITCHES
SWITCH TO OFF FOR UNUSED CHANNEL
AUDIO SIGNAL INPUTS / OUTPUTS
CH / AMP
DETECTION
SWITCHES
TO
SPEAKER
ZONE
SELECTOR
TO
SPEAKER
ZONE
SELECTOR
FROM STANDBY
AMPLIFIER
OUTPUT
FROM
AMP. 1
OUTPUT
FROM
AMP. 2
OUTPUT
repeat
FOR UNUSED CHANNELS
PAGE 7AX3800 | AUTO STANDBY AMPLIFIER FAULT CHANGEOVER
When connecting output of amplifiers to the AX3800, polarity must be observed.
Each output of the amplifier must be connected to the unit. A disconnected amplifier channel shall be regarded as
a faulty channel and a changeover shall take place.
Unused channel should be switched to OFF position at the CH/AMPDETECTION SWITCH.As for theaboveexam-
ple, switch 6 for unused Amp input / output channel has been turned to OFF position.
Remote Monitoring via PMX II LAN
amperes
AX 3800
AMP. FAULT
AMP. CHANGEOVER
AMP. NORMAL
5 64321 6AMP. NUMBER 7 8
PILOT TONE
STANDBYA MP. FAULT
LAN
AX3800 can be remotely monitored by PMX II LAN software RS485 output from AX3800 shall be connected to iPX5500
comm box, which is a UART- Ethernet convertor.
RS485
AX3800
iPX5500 PC with PMX II
software
iPX5500

Cascading AX3800
All other settings as shown earlier shall apply
UNIT 1
UNIT 2
UNIT 3
STANDBY AMPLIFIER INPUT
TERMINALS
LINK CABLE : UNIT 2 LOW
UNIT 3 HIGH
PARALLEL ALL
AUDIO SIGNAL
TERMINALS
IN-
OUT+
OUT-
IN+ IN-
NEL 1 STANDBY
AMP
CHAN. 1
ON
TO STANDBY
AMP AUDIO
INPUT
PARALLEL
OUTPUT
FROM
STANDBY
AMP
LINK CABLE : UNIT 1 LOW
UNIT 2 HIGH
HIGHEST PRIORITY
LOWEST
PRIORITY
PAGE 8 AX3800 | AUTO STANDBY AMPLIFIER FAULT CHANGEOVER
Use only one link from top to bottom as shown above.
Unit 3 shall has highest priority than 2, so as 2 than 1. Example. When there are two failures detected at unit 2 and 3, the
channel at unit 3 shall be given preference than others. Thereby, arrange amplifiers that are critical in operation
at higher number.
If it is required to force the lower priority unit into takeover mode, please switch the CH/AMP DETECTION SWITCHat the
related higher unit to OFF position.
When there is only one standby amplifier to serve more than 8 duty units, more than oneAX3800 shall be used toserve
the purpose.
HIGH
CASCADE
LOW
STANDBY
-+- G
OUTPUT
FAULT
CONT.
3A NO
MAX
RS 485
AB
CHAN. 8
ON
ON
AX3800
AMP. AUTO FAULT
CHANGEOVER
HIGH
CASCADE
LOW
STANDBY
-+- G
OUTPUT
FAULT
CONT.
3A NO
MAX
RS 485
AB
CHAN. 8
ON
ON
AX3800
AMP. AUTO FAULT
CHANGEOVER
HIGH
CASCADE
LOW
STANDBY
-+- G
OUTPUT
FAULT
CONT.
3A NO
MAX
RS 485
AB
CHAN. 8
ON
ON
AX3800
AMP. AUTO FAULT
CHANGEOVER

Fault Detections
HOW IT WORKS
PTACTIVE
LED
CH.NORMAL
LED
CH.
TAKEOVER
LED CH.FAULT
LED
BUZZER
SWITCH
EFFECTIVE DETECTION LEVEL
INDICATIONS
PAGE 9AX3800 | AUTO STANDBY AMPLIFIER FAULT CHANGEOVER
AMP. FAULT
AMP. CHANGEOVER
AMP. NORMAL
5 64321 6AMP. NUMBER 7 8
PILOT TONE
STANDBY AMP. FAULT
Although in principle most auto fault changeover works similarly in detecting faulty amplifiers, you may find some
difference in how AX3800 operates. AX3800 sends out Pilot Tone of 20 KHz at intervals and shift from channel to
channel.
This reduces strain at the amplifiers in which continuous loading is avoided. Though some slight delay may
occur during the detection period, this shall be beneficial in the long run. The maximum fault detection window
shall be around 20 seconds, which is acceptable in most cases.
Whenever Pilot Tone is active, PT ACTIVE LED shall lit, indicating that the unit is sending out 20KHz signals to
individual channels.
AX3800 checks the returning PT signal from the output of amplifiers. A minimum 50V line rms is required for
detection. Failure in detecting the returning signal shall render the channel faulty.
Thereby it is recom-
mended that the output of the amplifiers be set to 3/4 turn.
AX3800 works even without the presence of audio
signal.
Every faulty channel shall be indicated by CH FAULTLED.Unused channel which is not switched off shallalso be
regarded as faulty channel. Thereby when there is any unused channel, switch it to OFF to prevent false alarm.
Only a single takeover is allowed to prevent overloading of standby unit. Preference shall be given to unit with
higher number for takeover . ie. When channel 2 and 6 is faulty , channel 6 shall be allowed for takeover.
For cascading mode, please refer to section " Cascading AX3800 ".
Channel being takeover shall be indicated by CH.TAKEOVER LED. In the same time, buzzer shall be
activated and this can be silenced by the BUZZER SWITCH.
A closed contact shall also be established, with the port provided at the rear of the rear of the panel. This can be
linked to external sounder or mimic panel for indication.

Testing The Installations
POWER UP
Please use regulated 24V DC with min 0.5A rating. Unregulated power supply may cause damage tothe unit.
Once the power is on, all channels shall be at faulty position, and PT shall be sent to every individual channel. It
shall take approximately 20 ~ 30 seconds for the system to normalise.
TEST INDIVIDUAL WORKING FUNCTION
Switch off the power of the amplifier at
Channel 1.
Switch on the power of the amplifier 1.
TEST PARAMETER
TEST PRIORITY WORKING FUNCTION
Switch off the power of the amplifier at
Channel 1.
Switch off the power of the amplifier at
Channel 2.
TEST PARAMETER OBSERVATIONS
Repeat the above steps for Channel 2 to 6
With amps at Ch1 and 2 still off, switch off
the amp at Ch3.
PAGE 10 AX3800 | AUTO STANDBY AMPLIFIER FAULT CHANGEOVER
Normal LEDat ch. 1shall off,Fault LEDshalllit and followed
by the takeover LED. Buzzer shall be activated. This action
shall take a maximum time of 7 to 15 seconds.
The channel shall return to normal mode with Normal LED
on, Fault and Takeover LEDs OFF as well as buzzer being
silenced.
OBSERVATIONS
NormalLED atch. 1shall off,Fault LEDshalllitandfollowed
by the takeover LED. Buzzer shall be activated. This action
shall take a maximum time of 7 to 15 seconds.
At Ch.1, Fault LED shall remain lit while Takeover LED shall
be off.
At Ch.2, Normal LED off, Fault LED on and Takeover LED
shall lit.
At Ch.1,2, Fault LED shall remain lit while Takeover LED
shall be off.
At Ch.3, Normal LED off, Fault LED on and Takeover LED
shall lit.
Repeat the above steps with Ch4 switched of while the previous ones still at OFF position. You shall observe the same
pattern at the indicators in sequence.
After channel 6, switch on the power amp in sequence from Ch6 to 1 and the results shall be as opposite to the earlier
procedures.