PULSE+ CPA500 User manual

User Instructions
PULSE CPA500 1U 500W
Power Amplifier
www.pulse-audio.co.u

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!!
Unpacking and Inspection
Unpacking and Inspection Unpacking and Inspection
Unpacking and Inspection
Carefully unpack the unit. If it appears damaged in any way, return it to the retailer it was purchased
from in its original packaging. PULSE cannot accept any responsibility for damage arising from the use
of non appro ed packaging.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The PULSE CPA series of amplifiers are fully featured, 1U rack mount professional power amps,
designed to pro ide high quality, reliable performance for all professional applications from li e
bands to club installations.
MAIN FEATURES
MAIN FEATURES MAIN FEATURES
MAIN FEATURES
2 Channel stereo power amplifiers which are fan cooled and feature stereo, bridge and parallel
mono modes, softstart, short circuit protection and integral limiter. The amplifiers are 19" rack
mountable & ha e remo able rubber feet for desktop use.
• Compact 1U rack mount chassis
• 500W RMS power output
• Detented rotary olume controls
• Fan cooled by twin, ariable speed fans
• Protection, clip, bridge, parallel & power LED indicators
• Stereo, Bridge and Parallel Mono modes
• Short circuit and thermal protection plus integral limiter
• Ground/Lift switch
• Rugged steel enclosures with front & rear rack mount ears
• Signal Inputs: 2x Balanced XLR & 2x Balanced 6.35mm (1/4”) jack
• Speaker Outputs: 2x Speakon & 2 pair binding posts

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
INSTALLATION GUIDELINES INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
• Do not use these amplifiers in damp or high humidity en ironments. Do not use outdoors or
anywhere where liquids could fall or splash onto the amplifier.
• Ensure the amp is adequately entilated, with free airflow to the front and rear panels. Keep
away from other heat sources. If the amps are mounted in a rack with other amps, ensure
there is adequate cool air flow front and rear. Note that air is drawn in through the back
panel, and exhausted through the front panel.
• NEVER co er the amplifiers, as they may o erheat.
• PULSE power amplifiers are designed to fit standard 19” racks, with a 2U height and 17”
depth. We recommend the use of rear rack supports, especially if the rack is to be mobile.
Use shakeproof washers or threadlock adhesi e to pre ent mounting bolts becoming loose
in transit.
• Ensure that the AC power supply is correct for your amplifier. The required AC supply is
stated on the rear panel next to the AC power input.
• Ensure that you use the correct type of mains lead for your equipment and country. This
must be free from damage and easily accessible during use.
• Keep away from magnetic recording media (tape, mini disc, hard dri e etc). Power
amplifiers produce an electromagnetic field, which could affect stored files.

Wiring Conventions
Wiring Conventions Wiring Conventions
Wiring Conventions sed
sed sed
sed in P
in Pin P
in PULSE Power Amplifiers
ULSE Power AmplifiersULSE Power Amplifiers
ULSE Power Amplifiers
Signal (Input)
Signal (Input)Signal (Input)
Signal (Input)
Phono/RCA (unbalanced); Tip=Signal Positi e, Slee e=Signal Ground.
XLR (balanced); Pin1=Signal Ground, Pin2=Signal Positi e, Pin3=Signal Negati e.
6.35mm (1/4”) Jack (balanced); Tip=Signal Positi e, Ring=Signal Negati e, Slee e=Signal Ground.
6.35mm (1/4”) Jack (unbalanced); Tip=Signal Positi e, Slee e=Signal Ground.
Speaker (Output)
Speaker (Output)Speaker (Output)
Speaker (Output)
Speakon; 1+=Speaker Positi e. 1-=Speaker Negati e.
Binding Posts; Red=Speaker Positi e. Black= Speaker Negati e.
1) IEC Mains Inlet – Use only the supplied power cord or suitable replacement with the
correct fuse. The IEC inlet also features an integral Mains Fuse – Replace only with the
same rating as originally supplied. If the fuse fails do not replace with a higher alue.
2) Channel B speaker output ia SPEAKON socket. Use 1+1- terminals only, minimum
speaker impedance 4Ω
3) Channel A speaker output ia SPEAKON socket. Use 1+1- terminals only, minimum
speaker impedance 4Ω
4) Ground Lift Switch – some equipment may present a mains hum/buzz, this switch will
remo e the signal ground and reduce the effect of the mains hum.
5) Balanced 6.35mm (1/4”) Jack for signal le el (0.775mV) input. This input may also be
used for unbalanced signals.
6) Balanced XLR for signal le el (0.775mV) input
7)
Channel B speaker output ia Binding Posts. Minimum speaker impedance 4Ω. As with
all speaker wiring care must be taken to ensure no wires can present a short cirtcuit to
the amplifier. Speaker wires carry high oltages, care should be taken to ensure
no bare wires can be touched as this may result in electric shock.

8) Channel A speaker output ia Binding Posts. Minimum speaker impedance 4Ω. As with
all speaker wiring care must be taken to ensure no wires can present a short cirtcuit to
the amplifier. Speaker wires carry high oltages, care should be taken to ensure
no bare wires can be touched as this may result in electric shock.
9) Mode selection switch – this selects either BRIDGE MONO, PARALLEL MONO or
STEREO operation.
In BRIDGE MONO
BRIDGE MONOBRIDGE MONO
BRIDGE MONO the amplifier works as one signal channel ideal for dri ing higher power
speakers. This must be used in conjunction with the BRIDGE MONO speaker output, only
one signal input is required (into Channel A), this must be mirrored on the front panel
controls – turn Channel B to the lowest setting and only use Channel A to control the
amplifier. The wiring for BRIDGE MONO utilises both of the RED BINDING POSTS with
Channel A used for Speaker + e and Channel B used for Speaker – e. Minimum
impedance for this mode is 8Ω - operation below this will result in damage to apparatus.
In PARALLEL MONO
PARALLEL MONOPARALLEL MONO
PARALLEL MONO mode the amplifier will operate as two independent channels – both
Channel A and Channel B gains independent of each other. The PARALLEL mode enables
only one channel input to be used, this will be replicated across both channels.
In STEREO
STEREOSTEREO
STEREO mode the amplifier will operate as two independent channels – both Channel A
and Channel B
10) Balanced XLR for signal le el (0.775mV) input
11) Air entilation slots – DO NOT BLOCK.
12) Air entilation slots – DO NOT BLOCK.
13) Balanced 6.35mm (1/4”) Jack for signal le el (0.775mV) input. This input may also be
used for unbalanced signals.
Compliance
Compliance Compliance
Compliance
This equipment is designed to comply with the following standards:
BS EN55103-1:1996 BS EN55103-2:1997 BS EN60065:2002
When this product reaches the end of its life, do not dispose with household waste. See www.recycle-
more.co.uk for details of how to dispose of PULSE products in an en ironmentally sound fashion, or
contact PULSE directly ia www.pulse-audio.co.uk

Amplifier care b llet points.
Amplifier care b llet points. Amplifier care b llet points.
Amplifier care b llet points.
DO
DO DO
DO …
……
…
1. Read the manual; understand the operation, limitations and safety instructions before using
the product
2. Use good quality cables of the correct type, in the correct sockets. Speaker cables should
be manufactured from 1.5mm
2
or larger cable. Keep speaker lengths as short as possible to
minimise signal loss.
3. Listen to your sound; if it’s distorted, reduce gain, olume or both
4. Use adequate amplification and speakers for your needs
5. Checks the mains supply in the enue; use a mains checker.
6. Ensure your amp, speakers and all cables are free from damage
7. Protect your amp from moisture, smoke/fog machines and glitter cannons
8. Make and check all connections before you switch on
9. Set amp olume to ‘0’ at switch on. Slowly turn up, checking all speakers are working. If
there are problems turn the amp off and resol e them
FOLLOW THE SIGNAL PATH!
FOLLOW THE SIGNAL PATH! FOLLOW THE SIGNAL PATH!
FOLLOW THE SIGNAL PATH!
• Source output to mixer/preamp input (shielded signal cable),
• Mixer/preamp output to power amp input (shielded signal cable),
• Power amp output to speaker input (unshielded speaker cable).
DO NOT
DO NOT DO NOT
DO NOT …
……
…
1. Pre ent airflow to your amp; entilation is required front and rear
2. ‘Daisy chain’ speakers. Run a maximum of 1x4Ω speaker or 2x8Ω speaker per amplifier
channel.
3. Run amplifiers with the clip or limit lights on constantly
4. Send a clipped or o erdri en signal from your mixer or source to the amp
5. Store your amp or speakers in a damp en ironment
6. O erload mains sockets; Ne er run more than 3000W of amplifiers, lights or other
electronic equipment from one mains outlet socket.
7. Connect 2 amp channels, or 2 different amps to one speaker
8. Short circuit or cross-connect an amps inputs or outputs
9. The front panel ha both SIGNAL and CLIP LED indicator
The front panel ha both SIGNAL and CLIP LED indicator The front panel ha both SIGNAL and CLIP LED indicator
The front panel ha both SIGNAL and CLIP LED indicator –
––
– if the CLIP LED’ illu
if the CLIP LED’ illuif the CLIP LED’ illu
if the CLIP LED’ illuminate
minate minate
minate
reduce the input ignal to the amplifier immediately. A clipped ignal within the audio ignal
reduce the input ignal to the amplifier immediately. A clipped ignal within the audio ignal reduce the input ignal to the amplifier immediately. A clipped ignal within the audio ignal
reduce the input ignal to the amplifier immediately. A clipped ignal within the audio ignal
chain can damage both peaker and amplifier .
chain can damage both peaker and amplifier .chain can damage both peaker and amplifier .
chain can damage both peaker and amplifier .

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK OR INJURY
INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK OR INJURY INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK OR INJURY
INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK OR INJURY
TO PERS
TO PERSTO PERS
TO PERSONS
ONS ONS
ONS
WARNING - Using electric product, basic precautions should always be followed, including the
following:
1. Read all the SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS before using the product.
2. To reduce the risk of injury, close super ision is necessary when the product is used near children.
3. Do not use this product near water -for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, in a wet
basement or near a swimming pool or the like.
4. This product is capable of producing sound le els that could cause permanent hearing loss. DO
NOT operate for a long period of time at high olume or at a le el that is uncomfortable. If you
experience any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult an audiologist.
5. This product should be located so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper
entilation.
6. This product should be located away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers or other
products that produce heat.
7. The product should be connected to a power supply only of the type described on the operating
instructions or as marked on the product. Always ensure that a good quality mains lead is used
applicable for your country. The following wiring con ention is used in all product mains leads, and
must be strictly obser ed: Green & Yellow = Earth. Brown = Li e. Blue = Neutral. IMPORTANT: THIS
UNIT MUST BE EARTHED!
8. If the mains fuse need replacing, DISCONNECT THE PRODUCT FROM THE MAINS SUPPLY.
The fuse is abo e the mains IEC socket, and must be replaced with a fuse of the type and rating
stated on the rear panel. If a replacement fuse fails immediately, contact your local ser ice agent. DO
NOT replace with a higher alue.
9. The power-supply cord of the product should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a
long period of time. When unplugging the power-supply cord, DO NOT pull on the cord, but grasp it by
the plug.
10. Ensure the mains isolation switch is readily accessible when the product is in use.
11. Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure
through openings.
12. The product should be ser iced by qualified ser ice personnel when:
A. The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or
B. Object ha e fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the product; or
C. The product has been exposed to rain; or
D. The product does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or
E. The product has been dropped or the enclosure damaged.

14. DO NOT attempt to ser ice the product beyond that described in the user-maintenance
instructions. All other ser icing should be referred to qualified ser ice personnel.
15. WARNING -DO NOT place objects on the product’s power cord or place it in a position where
anyone could trip o er, walk on or roll anything o er it. DO NOT allow the product to rest on or to be
installed o er power cords of any type. Improper installations of this type create the possibility of fire
hazard and/or personal injury.
IF YOUR AMP STOPS WORKING ;
IF YOUR AMP STOPS WORKING ; IF YOUR AMP STOPS WORKING ;
IF YOUR AMP STOPS WORKING ;
• READ THE MANUAL !!!
• Turn olume to zero on both channels
• Check all connections (input and output, at both ends of cable)
• Check status lights on front panel
• Disconnect from mains before changing fuse
• Replace fuse only with same type and rating
• If problems persist contact a qualified ser ice agent

Service
Service Service
Service
All PULSE products are thoroughly examined and tested before lea ing the factory, and if used
correctly will gi e many years of excellent ser ice. Howe er, if a problem arises, proceed as follows:
A) Contact the retailer from whom the unit was purchased and describe the symptoms of the fault.
B) If the retailer cannot help, return the equipment to the national distributor for your country. Use the
original packaging to protect the product from damage. Include a note with the equipment stating your
name and address, details of the problem, date code and date and place of purchase.
The unit does not contain any user ser iceable parts. For details of spares, accessories and other
products, contact you local retailer. In the e ent of any difficulty contact PULSE directly
ia www.pulse-audio.co.uk

www.pulse-audio.co.u