CT Power Amplifiers
13 Advanced Features
13.1 Protection Systems
Your Crown amplifier provides extensive protection and diagnostic capabilities, including thermal level control, fault indicators,
13.1.1 Thermal Indicator
If the amplifier becomes too hot for safe operation, the channel that is generating too much heat will be shut down until the temperature is reduced.
13.1.2 Fault
The amplifier will enter a Fault state if the amplifier senses an unsafe condition. This protection is for both internal and external faults. It is critical to check all wiring to and from the amplifier to ensure the fault is not caused by external conditions. Once wiring has been verified to be correct, and the fault condition persists, see Section 17 Service for Servicing information.
13.1.3 High-Pass Filters
HPF’s are traditionally used in
13.1.4AC Under/Over Voltage Protection
If the AC line voltage drops below 25% or rises above 15% of the nominal operating voltage of the amplifier, the amplifier’s power supply turns off and the blue Power LED flashes. The amplifier will turn back on when the AC line voltage returns to safe operating levels (within ±10%).
13.1.5 Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker located near the IEC power inlet protects the amplifier from excessive AC current draw.
13.1.6 Convection-cooled Chassis
The DriveCore amplifiers require no fans for cooling, providing quiet operation and optimum efficiency.
13.1.7 Auto-Standby
If amplifier does not see input signals for a period of 30 minutes, the amplifier will go into standby mode. The amplifier will come out of standby mode once an input signal is present. This feature is activated via DIP switch #2 on the back of the amplifier. The amplifier will be configured with
13.2 Features
13.2.1 Switching Power Supply
Crown’s Switching Power Supply minimizes the amplifier’s weight. Typical
By contrast, switching power supplies can operate with a much smaller (and lighter) transformer because they first convert the AC up to a much higher frequency, thereby reducing waste. The power supply is
13.2.2 Power Mode
Deep sleep and green mode allow the amplifier to operate at all times with the lowest possible power level.
13.2.3 Adaptive Rail Technology (ART)
Crown has developed a voltage rail technology that delivers power on demand. ART is at the center of CT DriveCore’s Green mode that provides up to an additional 10% of efficiency. Through ART, the CT DriveCore is always operating at maximum efficiency.
13.2.4 DriveCore Power Stage
Crown has worked with Texas Instruments to develop an audio amplifier on a
14 Accessories
14.1 XFMR 4/8
The ComTech DriveCore amplifier is only capable of low Z applications. It is necessary to use an outboard transformer for
14.2 Rack Support Ears
The ComTech DriveCore amplifier requires front and back rack support for proper mounting. These have been provided with the amplifier.
page 14 | Operation Manual |