AMX PCS2 User manual

Installation Guide
PCS2 Dual Power Current Sensor (for US 110 VAC 3-pole receptacles)
Overview
The PCS2 Dual Power Current Sensor (FG427) detects the 110 VAC current drawn by
equipment plugged into the onboard AC receptacles, and the LED status indicators assist
with monitoring system applications.
The PCS2 (FIG. 1) features adjustable sensing levels for high (full-on), low (standby), and
no-power (off) power levels for up to two devices and comes complete with a built-in power
supply.
Common Application
The PCS2 is ideal for determining the status of controlled sources such as video projectors,
monitors, A/V receivers, DVD players and other devices.
Features
• On and standby status LEDs for each source
• Power LED
• Sensing for 20 mA, 10 A power current levels
• Two US-style 3-prong 120 VAC receptacles
Specifications
Installation
The PCS2 is simply plugged into a 120 VAC three-hole wall outlet to obtain power. Refer to
the Wiring Guidelines section for more information.
1. Connect the STBY and ON outputs to the appropriate system inputs.
2. Plug the device that the PCS2 is sensing for power status into the PCS2 AC
receptacle.
3. Plug the PCS2 into an AC outlet.
Rack mounting the PCS2
To rack mount the PCS2 using the optional AC-RK Accessory Rack Kit:
1. Remove any connected power and communication connectors from the rear panel.
2. Remove the two screws on the front panel of the PCS2.
3. Remove the front panel and the space bracket behind the panel.
4. Remove the rubber feet on the bottom of the unit, if necessary. Insert a scissors blade
or other sharp object into the side of one of the rubber feet and pull it off.
Do the same to remove the other three rubber feet.
5. Place the unit in the appropriate opening in the AC-RK.
6. Place the front panel of the PCS2 on the front of the rack over the unit and secure the
front panel using the two screws removed in step 2.
System Diagram
FIG. 2 provides a diagram of an example system using the PCS2:
Wiring Guidelines
The Wiring Specifications table lists wire sizes and the maximum lengths allowable between
the PCS2 and the Central Controller. The maximum wiring lengths are based on a minimum
of 13.5 volts available at the power supply output.
The PCS2 requires a local +12 VDC power to operate properly. The maximum wiring
distance between the power supply and PCS2 units are determined by power consumption,
supplied voltage, and the wire gauge used for the cable.
To reduce the possible effects of ground loop noise in the video, use a single-source power
supply mounted within distances specified in the following table.
Note: Do not connect power to the PCS2 until the wiring is complete.
Preparing Captive Wires
You will need a wire stripper and flat-blade screwdriver to prepare and connect the captive
wires.
Note: Never pre-tin wires for compression-type connections.
1. Strip 0.25 inch (6.35 mm) of insulation off all wires.
2. Insert each wire into the appropriate opening on the connector according to the wiring
diagrams and connector types described in this section.
3. Turn the flat-head screws clockwise to secure the wire in the connector. Do not over-
torque the screws; doing so can bend the seating pin and damage the connector.
PCS2 to AXC-INP8
Connect the PCS2 output ports to the AXC-INP8 input ports, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
Follow the illustration for Input 1 through Input 8. Set the jumpers of the associated inputs on
the AXC-INP8 to Switch mode. All Switch mode inputs and the Card-Frame share common
GND.
FIG. 1 PCS2 Dual Power Current Sensor
PCS2 Specifications
Power Requirement: • 110 VAC @ 250 mA minimum
• 1200 W (10A) input power, fuse protected
• Attached US-style 3-prong 120 VAC power cord
Sensing: • Standby: 2 Standby status LEDs / 2 Standby sense adjustment
screws
• On: 2 On status LEDs / 2 On sense adjustment screws
• Sense Levels: 20 mA–10 A power current
Control Ports: 4 relay outputs (on and standby for each source), 1 A @ 28 VDC
Connections: • On 1, 2: On sense relay output, 1 A @ 28 VDC
• Stby 1, 2: Standby sense relay output, 1 A @ 28 VDC
• Com 1, 2: Common for sense outputs
• AC 1, 2: Two US style 3-prong 110 VAC receptacles
1,200 W (10A) output power, fuse protected
• AC Power: US style 3-prong 110 VAC power cord
Connectors: • 6-pin captive-screw terminal
• 3-prong, grounded, 120 VAC receptacle
Dry Closure Relay
Outputs:
• 0.5 A @120 VAC or 1 A @ 28 VDC
Indicators: • 2 Standby LEDs
• 2 On LEDs
• Power LED
Load Sensitivity: • 10 A 1200 W maximum (combined fuses)
• 20 mA 2.4 W minimum 120 W maximum
Enclosure: • Metal black matte finish
• Mounts in optional AC-RK Accessory Rack Kit
Dimensions (HWD): • 1.51" x 5.55" x 5.45" (38.4 mm x 141.10 mm x 138.4 mm)
•1RU
Weight 28.8 oz (816 g)
Environmental: Heat Dissipation Typical: 10.2 BTU/hr
Included Accessories 6-pin captive-screw terminal
Other AMX Equipment AC-RK - Accessory Rack (FG515)
FIG. 2 Example System Diagram
Wiring Specifications
Wire Size Maximum Wiring Length
18 AWG 29.34 feet (8.94 meters)
20 AWG 18.56 feet (5.66 meters)
22 AWG 11.57 feet (3.53 meters)
24 AWG 7.30 feet (2.23 meters)
FIG. 3 PCS2 to AXC-INP8
PCS2
COM
STBY
ON
INP1
INP2
AXC-INP8
GND
GND

For full warranty information, refer to the AMX Instruction Manual(s) associated with your Product(s).
5/12
©2012 AMX. All rights reserved. AMX and the AMX logo are registered trademarks of AMX.
AMX reserves the right to alter specifications without notice at any time.
3000 RESEARCH DRIVE, RICHARDSON, TX 75082 • 800.222.0193 • fax [phone] • technical support 800.932.6993 • www.amx.com
93-0427-01 REV: A
Connect the PCS2 output and power ports to the Central Controller's input/output (I/O) ports,
as illustrated in FIG. 4.
PCS2 to Television Controllers
FIG. 5 illustrates the connections between the PCS2 to television controllers.
Calibration
The PCS2 works by setting a threshold.
• The STANDBY threshold is set be-tween the current draw of the OFF state and that of
the STANDBY state.
• The ON threshold is then set between the current draw of the STANDBY state and the
ON state.
The PCS2 contains two major circuits, each independent of each other. Each if these major
circuits contain two sub-circuits, the ON and STANDBY circuits.
The PCS2 has an in-line 10 A fuse for protection. This will allow one, or both major circuits to
draw a maximum of 10 A (1,200 W) total.
The state status for each of the major circuits of the PCS2 is:
• STANDBY is lit when the sensed current level is above STANDBY threshold.
• STANDBY remains lit (regardless of its setting) when the ON LED lights.
• ON is lit when current is above the ON threshold.
• The circuit (both the ON and STANDBY) can differentiate between 20 mA and 1 A.
Anything above 1 A is sensed as 1 A, regardless if it is 2 A, 6 A, or 10 A.
• It is not logical for ON to light before STANDBY. As a result, the circuit is designed so
that if the ON is lit, the STANDBY will also be lit, regardless of its setting.
Note: When extreme accuracy is required for calibration, allow the PCS2 to warm up for a
minimum of 15 minutes before calibration. The following procedures are used for both circuit
1 and circuit 2. Calibrate each circuit independently.
If the device only has an ON state, either STANDBY or ON can be used in the following
steps.
1. Plug the PCS2 into a power source.
2. Connect the device.
3. Turn both POTS all the way counter clockwise. At a maximum, this is 20 full turns.
The stop (end) can be detected by a subtle clicking sound and feel.
4. Set the device to the STANDBY power mode and wait 2-seconds. STANDBY power
mode is obtained by plugging the unit into an electrical port and not turning the power
switch ON.
5. Turn the PCS2 STANDBY POT clockwise until the STANDBY LED lights.
6. Slowly turn the POT counterclockwise until the LED goes out. Then, very slowly turn
the POT clockwise until the LED lights.
The "turn-on-threshold" has just been determined.
It is best not to set precisely on this threshold, so turn the POT a fraction more clock-
wise.
This fractional extra turn can be a bit larger for higher power devices and may be
almost negligible for very low power devices.
7. Turn the devices off and wait 2 seconds.
Note: Because of hysteresis (the analog circuit components time for changing states)
the turn-on and turn-off thresholds will not be exactly the same.
8. If the LED is still on, repeat steps 6 through 8 until the LED is not on when the device is
turned off.
9. Perform steps 1 through 8 for the ON circuit level.
10. Repeat steps 1 through 9 for the second PCS2 circuit's STANDBY and ON circuit
levels.
Operation
When properly calibrated, the PCS2 senses current levels from connected sources that have
one or two levels of power consumption.
The PCS2 STANDBY LED is ON when the following occurs:
• STANDBY is lit when the sensed current level is above STANDBY threshold.
• STANDBY remains lit (regardless of its setting) when the ON LED lights.
• STANDBY threshold cannot be set less sensitive than ON threshold.
This requires that the STANDBY circuitry be calibrated for levels between 20 mA and 1 A in
order to differentiate when a connected unit is in a STANDYBY or ON mode.
• ON is lit when current is above the ON threshold.
• The circuit (both the ON and STANDBY) can differentiate between 20 mA and 1 A.
Anything above 1 A is sensed as 1 A, regardless if it is 2 A, 6 A, or 10 A (LED ON =
output switch closed).
• It is not logical for ON to light before STANDBY. As a result, the circuit is designed so
that if ON lights, the STANDBY will light, regardless of its setting.
When connecting a unit/system to the PCS2, be aware that a one or two second PCS2
circuitry stabilization consideration must be accounted for.
During transitions between states, the PCS2 may take 1 to 2 seconds to stabilize and its
initial output indication may be incorrect. Failure to account for this possible delay may cause
the Axcess or Axcent2system to repeatedly cycle power on the unit being sensed.
Programming
When properly calibrated, the PCS2 senses current levels from sources that have one or two
levels of power consumption.
When connecting a unit/system to the PCS2, be aware that a 1 or 2 second PCS2 circuitry
stabilization consideration must be accounted for.
During transitions between states, the PCS2 may take 1 to 2 seconds to stabilize and its
initial output indication may be incorrect.
Failure to account for this possible de-lay may cause the Central Controller to repeatedly
cycle power on the unit being sensed.
FIG. 4 PCS to Axcent, Axcent2, or Axcent3
FIG. 5 PCS2 to television controllers
COM
STBY
ON
GND
I/O 1
I/O 2
PCS2
Axcent
Axcent2
Axcent3
PCS2
COM
STBY
ON
I/O 1
I/O 3
Television
GND
I/O 2
controllers
I/O 4
PWR