4 OPERATION
USER MANUAL
TECTON POWER AMP SERIES
P.194.2.3 Clip LEDs
If the power level is overloaded, the Clip LED will light up.
4.3 Power Amp Protection Systems
4.3.1 Clip Limiter
If the power amp is overdriven, the clip detection triggers the Attack-Release-
Circuit (ARC). The ARC delivers the control voltage for the gain reduction. Two
different attack modes (fast and slow) could be chosen with the Clip Limiter
switch (see 4.1.4 Limiter Switch).
4.3.2 SOA Protection
Whenever the power transistors leave their Safe Operation Area (SOA), the
SOA-protection in stereo mode switches back the current rail of the respective
channel. In mono modes the rails of both channels are switched back.
4.3.3 DC Protection
Each output of the power amp is constantly monitored for persistent DC voltage
levels. If the 3 V thresholds are exceeded at any of the outputs, the correspond-
ing channel will be muted. If DC was only applied for a short moment, the ampli-
fier will release mute and work as normal. If DC is applied for longer periods or
several short times the amplifier will switch to standby mode.
Switch off the amplifier, wait until the power LED stops flashing and switch the
amplifier on again.
4.3.4 DC Servo
To prevent DC O ffset at the speaker output the TECTON is fitted with a DC
Servo.
4.3.5 Over Current Protection
Over current is permanently controlled in the output stage. There are two limit-
ing levels of over current depending on output voltage. These limits will be set
automatically. This improves reliability without degrading sound quality when
driving complex loads.
4.3.6 Thermal Protection
There are several sensors in the amp in order to ascertain temperature data. If
a temperature of more than 85 °C is detected at the heat sinks, the input signal
on that channel is reduced. If the temperature exceeds 100 °C, the main SMPS
is switched off.