Contacta HLD9 User manual

1
HLD9
User Guide
April 2018
Hearing Loop Driver

2
Contents
Product Overview
Components
Connections
Suitable Cable Lengths (Metric)
Suitable Cable Lengths (Imperial)
Controls
Set-Up
Troubleshooting
Technical Specication
Standards
3
3
4-5
6
7-8
9
14-19
20-21
22
23
Contacta has a policy of continuous product development, therefore small specication changes
may not be reected in this manual. Images, labels, packaging, accessories and product colours
are subject to change without notice.

3
Product Overview
Our HLD9 is a pioneering modular hearing loop driver for perimeter
or phased array congurations, suitable for large area applications
such as theatres, conference facilities, sports arenas, concert halls and
auditoria.
The HLD9 uses cutting edge switching converter technology to deliver
high eicacy and high performance with low noise.
Components
1
2
3
45
1. Compliance Certicate
2. User Guide
3. Hearing Loop Stickers x 2
4. Rubber Feet x 4
5. Hearing Loop Driver (HLD9)
6. IEC Power Lead*
Cable & Equipment: A length of loop cable determined by the loop
design is also required. Hearing loop drivers also require ancillary
equipment for audio feeds, such as a microphone or sound system.
*Plug type varies by country.
6
Note: For large area hearing loop installation instructions, consult the
Large Area Hearing Loop Installation Guide.

4
1. Power Supply Input.
Power Sources - This product should be operated only from the type
of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of
the type of power supply to your home, consult your product dealer or
local power company. The primary method of isolating the amplier
from the mains supply is to disconnect the mains plug. Ensure that the
mains plug remains accessible at all times. Unplug the AC power cord
from the AC outlet if the unit will not be used for several months or
more.
Rear Panel Connections*:
Connections
1
23
45
67
8
*HLD9-ETL rear panel text shown. All connections
are the same on the standard HLD9.
2. External Port - Status Indicator (Volt-free relay contacts).
3. Phantom power indication for microphone.
4. Input 1 (Microphone) - Balanced XLR with switchable 12VDC
phantom power or ¼” unbalanced TRS jack for electret microphone
with 5VDC power via 680Ω load.
5. Input 2 (Line) - Balanced XLR or ¼” TRS jack to ohmically isolated
input.
6. Expansion.
CAUTION: For connection to other Contacta systems only.
7. Feature - External monitor & control, Contacta communications
processor.
CAUTION: This is not a telecommunications port.
8. NL4 Loop Output Connection.

5
Audio Connections:
2 1
3
Mic & Line
XLR connector
1: Screen/Shield
2: + (Signal Hot)
3: - (Signal Cold)
Mic
Unbalanced TRS Jack
Tip
Ring
Sleeve SOURCE
+ (Signal)
GND
Mic
Unbalanced Mono TS Jack
Tip
Sleeve SOURCE
+ (Signal)
GND
Line
Unbalanced Mono TS Jack
Tip
Sleeve
SOURCE
+ (Signal) hot
- (Signal) cold
Phantom Power
CAUTION: Route loop output cables as far away as possible from the
driver audio input cables.
Connect a twisted pair or quad core loop feeder cables to the supplied
NL4 connector (diagram below). Insert into the NL4 Loop Output
Connection on the rear of the driver.
Loop Connections:

6
Current 1A 2A 3A 4A 5A 6A 7A 8A 9A 10A
Cable Type Cable Length
Maximum
Cable
Length
Round
Cable
(CSA)
1mm21319m 659m 440m 330m 264m 220m 188m 165m 147m 132m
1.5mm21547m 773m 516m 387m 309m 258m 221m 193m 172m 155m
2.5mm21739m 870m 580m 435m 348m 290m 248m 217m 193m 174m
Flat
Cable
(Width)
10mm 979m 489m 326m 245m 196m 163m 140m 122m 109m 98m
12.5mm 1851m 925m 617m 463m 370m 308m 264m 231m 206m 185m
25mm 2450m 1225m 817m 613m 490m 408m 350m 306m 272m 245m
Double-Turn Loop
Single-Turn Loop
The tables in this section show the metric maximum cable lengths for
dierent maximum required currents.
No clipping below 1.6kHz (IEC specications):
Example:
If an installed cable is 520m of 25mm at single turn and the
required current noted in Step 3 (7) of Set-Up (see page 14) is 5
amps or greater, the driver is clipping.
Suitable Cable Lengths (Metric)
Current 1A 2A 3A 4A 5A 6A 7A 8A 9A 10A
Cable Type Cable Length
Maximum
Cable
Length
Round
Cable
(CSA)
1mm2959m 479m 320m 240m 192m 160m 137m 120m 107m 96m
1.5mm21036m 518m 345m 259m 207m 173m 148m 130m 115m 104m
2.5mm21089m 544m 363m 272m 218m 181m 156m 136m 121m 109m
Flat
Cable
(Width)
10mm 856m 428m 285m 214m 171m 143m 122m 107m 95m 86m
12.5mm 1324m 662m 441m 331m 265m 221m 189m 166m 147m 132m
25mm 1568m 784m 523m 392m 314m 261m 224m 196m 174m 157m
The tables in this section show the metric maximum cable lengths for
dierent maximum required currents.
No clipping below 1.6kHz (IEC specications):
Example:
If an installed cable is 166m of 1.5mm² (round) single turn and
the required current noted in Step 3 (7) of Set-Up (see page 14)
is 4 amps or greater, the below table indicates that the driver
is clipping. If the required current noted in Step 3 (7) is less
than 4 amps, the driver is not clipping.

7
Current 1A 2A 3A 4A 5A 6A 7A 8A 9A 10A
Cable Type Cable Length
Maximum
Cable
Length
Round
Cable
(AWG)
18AWG 4067ft 2033ft 1356ft 1017ft 813ft 678ft 581ft 508ft 452ft 407ft
14AWG 5429ft 2715ft 1810ft 1357ft 1086ft 905ft 776ft 679ft 603ft 543ft
Flat
Cable
(Width)
18AWG
(equivalent)
4574ft 2287ft 1525ft 1144ft 915ft 762ft 653ft 572ft 508ft 457ft
14AWG
(equivalent)
7229ft 3614ft 2410ft 1807ft 1446ft 1205ft 1033ft 904ft 803ft 723ft
Double-Turn Loop
Single-Turn Loop
Current 1A 2A 3A 4A 5A 6A 7A 8A 9A 10A
Cable Type Cable Length
Maximum
Cable
Length
Round
Cable
(AWG)
18AWG 2971ft 1485ft 990ft 743ft 594ft 495ft 424ft 371ft 330ft 297ft
14AWG 3395ft 1697ft 1132ft 849ft 679ft 566ft 485ft 424ft 377ft 339ft
Flat
Cable
(Width)
18AWG
(equivalent)
3592ft 1796ft 1197ft 898ft 718ft 599ft 513ft 449ft 399ft 359ft
14AWG
(equivalent)
4713ft 2356ft 1571ft 1178ft 943ft 785ft 673ft 589ft 524ft 471ft
The tables in this section show the imperial maximum cable lengths
for dierent maximum required currents.
No clipping below 1.6kHz (IEC specications):
Example:
If an installed cable is 850 feet of 18AWG (round) single turn
and the required current noted in Step 3 (7) of Set-Up (see page
14) is 5 amps or greater, the driver is clipping.
Suitable Cable Lengths (Imperial)
See next page for “No clipping below 5kHz (Pro)” maximum cable lengths .

8
No clipping below 5kHz (Pro):
Example:
If an installed cable is 268 feet of 18AWG (round) single turn
and the required current noted in Step 3 (7) of Set-Up (see page
14) is 7 amps or greater, the driver is clipping.
Double-Turn Loop
Single-Turn Loop
Current 1A 2A 3A 4A 5A 6A 7A 8A 9A 10A
Cable Type Cable Length
Maximum
Cable
Length
Round
Cable
(AWG)
18AWG 1783ft 891ft 594ft 446ft 357ft 297ft 255ft 223ft 198ft 178ft
14AWG 1863ft 932ft 621ft 466ft 373ft 311ft 266ft 233ft 207ft 186ft
Flat
Cable
(Width)
18AWG
(equivalent)
2290ft 1145ft 763ft 572ft 458ft 382ft 327ft 286ft 254ft 229ft
14AWG
(equivalent)
2638ft 1319ft 879ft 660ft 528ft 440ft 377ft 330ft 293ft 264ft
Current 1A 2A 3A 4A 5A 6A 7A 8A 9A 10A
Cable Type Cable Length
Maximum
Cable
Length
Round
Cable
(AWG)
18AWG 1097ft 549ft 366ft 274ft 219ft 183ft 157ft 137ft 122ft 110ft
14AWG 1115ft 558ft 372ft 279ft 223ft 186ft 159ft 139ft 124ft 112ft
Flat
Cable
(Width)
18AWG
(equivalent)
1442ft 721ft 481ft 360ft 288ft 240ft 206ft 180ft 160ft 144ft
14AWG
(equivalent)
1588ft 794ft 529ft 397ft 318ft 265ft 227ft 199ft 176ft 159ft

9
Controls
Shows MIC level Shows LINE level Shows DRIVE level
Driver Modes:
Normal Operation Mode – The driver is fully functional. However, the
controls on the front do not change the driver operation.
Adjustment Mode – In this mode one can adjust all of the levels using
the + or – buttons.
CLIP
ACTIVE
PHTM
CLIP
ACTIVE
LOW SIG
STATUS
POWER
MICLINEDRIVE
PERIMETER
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
2.5 5 7.5 10
contacta HLD9
CLIP
ACTIVE
PHTM
CLIP
ACTIVE
LOW SIG
STATUS
POWER
MICLINEDRIVE
PERIMETER
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
2.5 5 7.5 10
contacta HLD9
To enter adjustment mode press
both MIC + and - simultaneously
In adjustment mode the
STATUS LED will ash
Front Panel Overview:
Pressing the MIC + or - will adjust
the MIC input gain; adjustments
are in 1dB steps. LEDs show the
MIC’s level after fader
Pressing the LINE + or - will adjust the LINE
input gain; adjustments are in 1dB steps.
LEDs show the LINE level after fader. If input
is low the LOW SIG LED will illuminate
Pressing the Drive + or - will
adjust the Drive output by
1dB steps. LEDs show the
approximate DRIVE level
Note: Before entering a driver mode or making any changes, a loop
must be connected to the HLD9.

10
Engineers mode – In this mode there are additional items that can
be adjusted, such as driver type, phantom power and high frequency
compensation.
You must rst be in adjustment mode (see page 9). Then, to enter the
engineers mode, simply press both Line + and - simultaneously.
CLIP
ACTIVE
PHTM
CLIP
ACTIVE
LOW SIG
STATUS
POWER
MICLIN
ED
RIVE
PERIMETER
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
2.5 5 7.5 10
contacta HLD9
Press both Line + and - simultaneously
to enter the Engineers’ mode
CLIP
ACTIVE
PHTM
CLIP
ACTIVE
LOW SIG
STATUS
POWER
MICLINEDRIVE
PERIMETER
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
2.5 5 7.5 10
contacta HLD9
CLIP
ACTIVE
PHTM
CLIP
ACTIVE
LOW SIG
STATUS
POWER
MICLINEDRIVE
PERIMETER
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
2.5 5 7.5 10
contacta HLD9
There are 5 PAGE settings, each identied by a ashing MIC LED:
PAGE 1 is LED 1, PAGE 2 is LED 2, and so on.