Sennheiser AC 3200 - 09-08 User manual

Active Transmitter Combiner 8:1
AC 3200
Instruction manual

1
Contents
Contents
Important safety instructions ..................................................... 2
The AC 3200 active transmitter combiner 8:1 ......................... 5
Delivery includes ............................................................................. 5
Connection diagram ....................................................................... 6
Product overview ............................................................................ 7
Putting the AC 3200 into operation ........................................... 8
Preparing the AC 3200 for use ............................................... 8
Connecting the antenna ......................................................... 10
Connecting a transmitter to the AC 3200 .......................... 10
Connecting the mains cable .................................................. 11
Switching the AC 3200 on and off ....................................... 11
Recommendations and tips for optimum reception ............ 12
Cleaning the AC 3200 ................................................................... 12
If a problem occurs ... ................................................................... 13
Accessories and spare parts ....................................................... 14
Specifications ................................................................................. 15
Manufacturer Declarations ......................................................... 16

2
Important safety instructions
Important safety instructions
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions. Always include these instructions when passing the
device on to third parties.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use the device near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with these
instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or
other devices (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. The device should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on
the mains plug. The device must only be connected to properly grounded power
outlets.
10. Protect the mains cable from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where it exits from the device.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by Sennheiser.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified
by the manufacturer, or sold with the device. When a cart is
used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination
to avoid injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug the device during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of
time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required if the device has been damaged in any way, such as mains
cable or plug damage, liquid has been spilled, objects have fallen inside, the
device has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate properly or has
been dropped.
15. To completely disconnect the device from the AC mains, disconnect the mains
plug from the AC receptacle.
16. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the device to
rain or moisture.
17. Do not expose the device to dripping or splashing and ensure that no objects
filled with liquids, such as vases or coffee cups, are placed on the device.
18. The plug of the mains cable shall remain readily operable and easily accessible.

3
Important safety instructions
Hazard warnings on the rear of the
AC 3200 active transmitter combiner 8:1
The label shown on the left is attached to the rear of the
AC 3200. The symbols on this label have the following meaning:
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous voltage within the AC 3200’s enclosure
that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute risk of fire or
electric shock.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the risk of electric
shock if the AC 3200 is opened. There are no user serviceable
parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of
important operating and maintenance instructions in the
literature accompanying this AC 3200.
Overloading
Do not overload wall outlets and extension cables as this may
result in fire and electric shock.
Replacement parts
When replacement parts are required, be sure the service
technician has used replacement parts specified by Sennheiser
or those having the same characteristics as the original part.
Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or
other hazards.
Safety check
Upon completion of any service or repairs to this device, ask the
service technician to perform safety checks to determine that
the device is in a safe operating condition.

4
Important safety instructions
Intended use of the device
Intended use of the AC 3200 includes:
yusing the device for professional purposes,
yhaving read this instruction manual especially the chapter
“Important safety instructions” on page 2,
yusing the device within the operating conditions and
limitations described in this instruction manual.
“Improper use” means using the device other than as described
in this instruction manual, or under operating conditions which
differ from those described herein.

5
The AC 3200 active transmitter combiner 8:1
The AC 3200 active transmitter
combiner 8:1
With the AC 3200 active transmitter combiner, the signals of up
to eight Sennheiser wireless monitoring transmitters can be
combined onto a single antenna, e.g. the A 2003 UHF
directional antenna, the A 1031 U omni-directional antenna or
the A 5000 CP circularly polarized UHF antenna. For suitable
transmitters, please refer to the AC 3200 product page at
www.sennheiser.com.
The AC 3200 allows you to make high-quality 8-channel
transmission systems suitable for the following areas of
application:
yMulti-channel monitoring systems for stage use
yMulti-channel systems suitable for any application where
talk-back signals are to be transmitted (e.g. studio)
Delivery includes
1 AC 3200 active transmitter combiner 8:1
3 mains cable (EU/UK/US)
4 self-adhesive device feet
1 instruction manual

6
Connection diagram
Connection diagram
The below connection diagram shows the connections for an
8-channel system with a single antenna.
AC 3200

7
Product overview
Product overview
쐃Rack mount “ears”
쐇Air vents (on the sides)
쐋8 LEDs: operation indicators of the RF inputs
쐏LED
쐄On/off switch
쐂IEC mains socket
쐆8 RF inputs RF IN 1 to RF IN 8 for connecting the transmitters
쐊BNC socket for antenna output ANT
70 W

쐋쐏
쐂 쐊
쐆쐆쐆
쐆
쐇쐇
쐃
쐄
쐃

8
Putting the AC 3200 into operation
Putting the AC 3200 into
operation
Preparing the AC 3200 for use
You can set up the AC 3200 on an even surface or mount it into
a 19" rack.
Setting up the device
To ensure that the AC 3200 cannot slip on the surface on which
it is placed, four self-adhesive soft rubber feet are supplied.
CAUTION! Danger of heat damage to the devices!
During operation, the AC 3200 and the connected
transmitters produce considerable waste heat!
If this heat cannot dissipate, it can cause damage
to the devices!
The devices are equipped with fans to assist
dissipation of generated heat:
왘Make sure that the air vents 쐇on the sides of
the AC 3200 are not covered or blocked and
provide ducts of sufficient size or allow
sufficient space to ensure a free air flow
between the devices.
왘Regularily clean the air vents on the sides of
the AC 3200 with a soft brush.
왘In order to avoid heat accumulation, make sure
to install the AC 3200 as the uppermost device.
왘Never stack more than two devices directly one
above the other!
CAUTION! Risk of staining of surfaces!
Some surfaces have been treated with varnish,
polish or synthetics which might cause stains
when they come into contact with other
synthetics. Despite a thorough testing of the
synthetics used by us, we cannot rule out the
possibility of staining.
왘Do not place the AC 3200 on delicate surfaces.

9
Putting the AC 3200 into operation
왘Ensure that the base of the AC 3200 is clean and free from
grease before fitting the rubber feet.
왘Fix the rubber feet to the base of the AC 3200 by peeling off
the backing paper and fitting them as shown in the diagram
on the left.
왘Place the AC 3200 on an even, horizontal surface.
Rack-mounting
CAUTION! Risks when rack mounting the AC 3200!
When installing the device in a closed or multi-rack
assembly, please consider that, during operation,
the ambient temperature, the mechanical loading
and the electrical potentials will be different from
those of devices which are not mounted into a rack.
왘The ambient temperature within the rack must
not exceed the temperature limit specified in
the AC 3200 specifications.
왘When installing the device in a rack, take good
care not to affect the ventilation required for
safe operation. If necessary, provide additional
ventilation.
왘In order to avoid heat accumulation, make sure
to install the AC 3200 as the uppermost device
in the rack.
왘Provide for a duct or vent space of 1 U above
the AC 3200 to ensure that the heated air can
dissipate.
왘Make sure the mechanical loading of the rack is
even to avoid a hazardous condition such as a
severely unbalanced rack.
왘When connecting the device to the power
supply, observe the information indicated on
the type plate. Avoid circuit overloading. If
necessary, provide overcurrent protection.
왘Ensure a reliable mains ground connection of
the device by taking appropriate measures.
왘When installing the device in a closed or multi-
rack assembly, please note that intrinsically
harmless leakage currents of the individual
devices may accumulate, thereby exceeding
the allowable limit value. As a remedy, ground
the rack via an additional ground connection.

10
Putting the AC 3200 into operation
To mount the AC 3200 into a 19" rack:
왘Slide the AC 3200 into the 19" rack.
왘Secure the rack mount “ears” 쐃to the rack using four
screws (not included).
Connecting the antenna
The AC 3200 active transmitter combiner can be used with
either the A 2003 UHF directional antenna, the A 1031 U omni-
directional antenna or the A 5000 CP circularly polarized UHF
antenna. The antenna transmits the signals of all connected
transmitters (see page 12).
The signals are combined onto the antenna output with no
distribution attenuation.
To connect an antenna:
왘Connect the antenna using a low-attenuation 50 Ωcoaxial
cable.
왘Connect the coaxial cable to the antenna output 쐊.
Connecting a transmitter to the AC 3200
To connect a transmitter:
왘Connect the BNC cable of the transmitter to one of the eight
RF inputs RF IN 1 to RF IN 8 쐆.
CAUTION! Danger of damage to the devices!
Do not daisy-chain several AC 3200. Do not
connect other active combiners to the AC 3200.
왘Never connect the AC 3200 to other active
combiners.
왘Only connect suitable antennas to the output
of the AC 3200!
쐊

11
Putting the AC 3200 into operation
Connecting the mains cable
왘Connect the suitable mains cable to the IEC mains socket 쐂
and to the mains.
Note:
The AC 3200 can be connected to any mains power supply
with 100 V to 240 V AC (50 to 60 Hz).
Switching the AC 3200 on and off
왘Press the on/off switch 쐄.
The AC 3200 switches on and the LED 쐏lights up red.
왘Press the on/off switch 쐄again.
The AC 3200 switches off and the LED 쐏goes off.
Note:
After switch-off, the AC 3200 is in standby mode. To
disconnect the device from the mains, pull out the mains
connector from the wall socket.
RF indicators
The AC 3200 has eight control LED 쐋which light up on the
channels where transmission power is available.
70 W
쐆 쐆 쐆 쐆
70 W

쐋쐏
쐄

12
Recommendations and tips for optimum reception
Recommendations and tips
for optimum reception
yThere should be a “free line of sight” between transmitting and receiving antennas.
yTo avoid overloading the receiver, observe a minimum distance of 5 m between
transmitting and receiving antennas.
yObserve a minimum distance of 50 cm between the transmitting antenna and metal
objects (such as cross members or reinforced-concrete walls).
yWhen using a multi-channel system:
Set all transmitters of your multi-channel system to intermodulation-free
frequencies.
Cleaning the AC 3200
왘Before cleaning, disconnect the device from the mains.
왘Only use a slightly damp cloth to clean the device.
왘Regularily check the air vents for dust deposits. If necessary, remove the dust with
a soft brush.
Liquids can damage the electronics of the device!
Liquids entering the housing of the device can cause a short-circuit
and damage the electronics.
왘Keep all liquids away from the device.
왘Do not use any solvents or cleansing agents.
CAUTION!

13
If a problem occurs ...
If a problem occurs ...
If a problem occurs that is not listed in the above table or if the problem cannot be solved
with the proposed solutions, please contact your local Sennheiser agent for assistance.
Problem Possible cause Possible solution
The LED 쐏does
not light up
The AC 3200 doesn’t consume
current
Check if the AC 3200 is
connected to the mains and
if the on/off switch 쐄is
pressed
Extra LEDs 쐋light up
for RF inputs which
are not in use
The transmitting antenna
is not connected, the
transmitting antenna is
faulty or the wrong type,
the cable to the transmitting
antenna is damaged, faulty,
or of the wrong type
Check that the transmitting
antenna is correctly connected,
is not damaged, and that the
connecting cable is undamaged
and is of the correct type.
Check that the transmitting
antenna is connected to the
antenna output 쐊and that
all transmitters are connected
to RF inputs 쐆
One or several
LEDs 쐋do not light
up
A transmitter is connected to
the respective input but is
switched off
Switch the transmitter on
Disturbed reception
or no reception
The transmitting antenna is
not within the reception area
Reduce the distance between
transmitter and receiver
The receiver batteries are not
inserted or batteries are low
Replace the receiver batteries
The antenna is not connected
correctly
Check if the antenna is
connected correctly
Too high cable attenuation due
to too long antenna cables or
wrong type of antenna cable
Use a shorter antenna cable or
the correct type of antenna
cable
Use low-attenuation 50 Ω
coaxial cable
Interference or
intermodulation during
multi-channel operation
Set all transmitters of your
multi-channel system to
intermodulation-free
frequencies

14
Accessories and spare parts
Accessories and spare parts
The following accessories are available from your Sennheiser
partner:
Cat. No. Accessory/spare part
003658 A 2003 UHF passive directional antenna
004645 A 1031 U passive omni-directional antenna
500887 A 5000 CP circularly polarized UHF antenna
002324 GZL 1019-A1 BNC-BNC coaxial cable, type RG 58, length 1 m

15
Specifications
Specifications
Type approvals
Frequency range 500 – 870 MHz
Distribution attentuation 0 dB (±1 dB)
RF input power
nominal value up to 100 mW per input
inputs protected up to max. 250 mW
Impedance 50 Ω
Power supply 100 V – 240 V AC, 50 – 60 Hz
Power consumption max. 70 W
Temperature range 0 °C to 45 °C
Weight approx. 4 kg
Area Conformity
USA: FCC-Part 74.861
FCC ID: DMOAC3200 / limited to 698 MHz!
Canada: RSS-123
IC: 2099A-AC3200
EU:
complies with the requirements for radio and
EMC (R&TTE):
• EN 300422-1/-2
• EN 300454-1/-2
• EN 301489-1/-9
complies with the requirements for safety (LVD):
• EN 60065
0682

16
Manufacturer Declarations
Manufacturer Declarations
Warranty
Sennheiser GmbH & Co. KG gives a warranty of 24 months on this product.
For the current warranty conditions, please visit our web site at www.sennheiser.com or contact
your Sennheiser partner.
CE Declaration of Conformity
This equipment is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions
of Directives 1999/5/EC and 2006/95/EC. The declaration is available on the internet site at
www.sennheiser.com.
Before putting the equipment into operation, please observe the respective country-specific
regulations!
Statements regarding FCC and industry Canada
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Changes or modifications made to this equipment not expressly approved by Sennheiser
electronic Corp. may void the FCC authorization to operate this equipment. Before putting the
device into operation, please observe the respective country-specific regulations!
0682

Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
Am Labor 1, 30900 Wedemark, Germany
Phone: [phone] Printed in Germany
Fax: [phone] Publ.09/08
www.sennheiser.com 528244/A01