Niles Audio VCS HUB8 Installation, Limitations in Volume with High Magnification Settings

12 AWG

14 AWG

TECH TIP

Wire size is expressed by its AWG (American Wire Gauge) number. The lower the AWG number, the larger the wire. Thus, 12 AWG wire is physi- cally larger than 14 AWG.

V O L U M E

V O L U M E C O N T R O L

D I S T R I B U T I O N H U B

C O N T R O L D I S T R I B U T I O N H U B

AMPLIFIER’S MINIMUM SPEAKER LOAD IS 4 OHMS

8 OHM Speaker Pairs

	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
	0	1x
	1	2x			4x
4 OHM	2								8x
Speaker	3
Pairs	4
	5

6

7

8Figure 2

AMPLIFIER S MINIMUM SPEAKER LOAD IS 8 OHMS

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

4 OHM	0		4x
	1		4x
Speaker		4x
Pairs	2		8x
	3
	4

Figure 3

CAUTION! Every speaker pair in the system must be con- nected to an impedance-magnifying volume control and set to the same magnification.

When you install the VCS HUB8 and connect the volume controls to it, doublecheck the switches on the volume controls

to verify that they are set correctly for the impedance load of your speakers.

Use the following instructions and the accompanying charts to select the correct switch setting on the volume controls for the number and type of speakers in your system.

1.Count the number of pairs of 4-ohm speakers and the num- ber of pairs of 8-ohm speakers you are connecting. Count pairs of 6-ohm speakers as 4-ohm pairs.

2.Determine whether the amplifier should see a 4-ohm load or an 8-ohm load. You should find this information in the owner’s manual of the amplifier.

3.Read the correct switch position from the charts on the next page. See Figure 2 if your amplifier can drive a 4-ohm load. See Figure 3 if your amplifier must have an 8-ohm speaker load.

4.Set the switches on all of the controls to the same position (1x, 2x, 4x, or 8x).

Limitations in Volume with High Magnification Settings

Using an 8x setting limits the power to each speaker pair to one-eighth of the amplifier’s output.

In a typical application of IM volume controls, a system has eight pairs of 8-ohm speakers through- out the house. Each pair of speakers is connected to an IM volume control with its switches set for 8x.

With eight pairs of speak- ers, one-eighth of the amplifier’s power is avail- able to any pair.

Therefore, an amplifier rated at 100W per channel RMS into 8 ohms will deliver up to 12.5W to each of the eight pairs – whether you play all eight pairs or just one pair. This translates into a drop in the maximum volume capability of about 9dB at the 8x setting.

Type of Speaker Wire

We recommend 16-gauge stranded copper speaker wire for most connections, and 14-gauge wire for runs longer than 80 feet. Don’t use speaker wire larger than 14 gauge, because larg- er wire may not fit into the connectors. Never use solid-core, aluminum, or Romex wire with an IM volume control. For speaker-wire runs within walls, most U.S. states and municipal-

ities require a special type of speaker wire with a specific CL fire rating, such as CL-2 or CL-3. Consult your Niles dealer, building contractor, or local building-inspection depart- ment if you aren’t sure what kind of wire is best for your application.

Mounting Location
The VCS HUB8 is designed
specifically to fit into a structured-
wiring cabinet, with snap-in
“Christmas tree” plugs for conven-	Figure 4
ient installation.

Alternatively, you can mount it on a wall, a basement floor joist, or some other unobtrusive location.

INSTALLATION

1.Run all necessary wiring to the VCS HUB8. Label the wires for future reference.

2.Secure the VCS HUB8 in a suitable location. In a structured- wiring cabinet, use the convenient snap-in “Christmas Tree” plugs (supplied) to mount it in the cabinet frame. On a wall or other flat surface, remove the snap-in plugs, insert drywall screws (not supplied) through the resulting holes, and secure

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