AC LINE VOLTAGE REGULATOR AR-PRO AR SERIES AR-PRO ­ AC LINE VOLTAGE REGULATOR Congratulations on your purchase of a Furman AR-PRO AC Line Voltage Regulator. The ARPRO is the perfect accessory to any audio, video, or computer rack-mount system requiring clean, filtered, and regulated AC power for optimum operation. It is the ultimate high current regulating product for audio, video, computer, and broadcast professionals. GENERAL I N F O R M AT I O N FEATURES OF THE AR-PRO Delivers 120 VAC ±4% anywhere within capture ranges of 88 to 134 and 170 to 264 volts AC, 50/60 Hz, single phase Extends the usable voltage range for most equipment to 80 to 267 VAC Input voltmeter bar-graph with 21 LEDs Output ammeter bar-graph with 21 LEDs indicates low, normal, or high output voltage/current Fourteen regulated, conditioned outlets (2 front, 12 rear) Input capacity 30 amps; output capacity 22.5 to 30 amps Provision for remote turn-on/turn-off; multiple units may be turned on simultaneously or in a delayed sequence Multiple-stage transient (spike) suppression Multiple-stage RFI filtering Low stray magnetic field leakage Compact 3.5" rack-mount unit weighs only 50 lbs (23 kg) READ THIS FIRST! 1. Carefully inspect your AR-PRO for signs of damage that may have occurred in shipping. Any such damage is the responsibility of the carrier. If necessary, file a claim directly with them. 2. The AR-PRO is a complex electronic instrument with various wiring options. You cannot simply "plug in and go." The supply cable must be adequate for your installation needs. Take the time to read this manual, especially the sections on Installation and Operation. If in doubt, obtain the assistance of a licensed electrician. 3. To insure full protection under the terms of the Limited Warranty in case your ownership documents are lost, please fill out and return the Warranty Registration Card immediately. Verify that the serial number shown on the Warranty Card matches the serial number on your unit. AR-PRO DESCRIPTION -2- AR-PRO ­ AC LINE VOLTAGE REGULATOR The AR-PRO is intended to protect computer, audio, video and other electronic equipment from problems caused by AC line voltage irregularities - sags, brownouts or over voltages that can cause sensitive digital equipment to malfunction, or, in extreme cases, to sustain damage. It accepts single phase input AC voltages anywhere within two capture ranges, 88 to 134V (low range) or 170 to 264V (high range) and converts them to the North American standard 120 volts (or, on model AR-PRO-J, to 100V). Voltages outside the ranges may be converted to usable levels, depending on how far out of range they are and what is considered usable. For example, any voltage from 80 to 267 will be converted to 120V ±4%. See Figure 1 below. The AR-PRO can handle loads totaling up to 30 amperes as long as the input voltage is equal to or above 120 volts (low range) or 240 volts (high range). For voltages below those levels, its capacity must be derated at approximately one-quarter ampere per volt. See Figure 2 below. In live performance situations, where each act requires a special AC configuration, accidental connection to incorrect AC voltages occurs surprisingly often with disastrous consequences. Because of its dual range capability, the AR-PRO can protect against a catastrophic error in AC mains wiring. This feature also makes the AR-PRO ideal as a component of a power distribution scheme suitable for worldwide use, accommodating national voltages of 100, 120, 220, 240, or others, with equal ease and without the need for readjustment. The AR-PRO uses a design based on a 25-tap toroidal autotransformer. The toroidal design assures minimal leakage of stray magnetic fields in a highly efficient, compact package. The AR-PRO's circuitry monitors the incoming line voltage with each cycle. If a voltage change requires that a different tap be selected, the new tap is electronically switched in precisely at the zero-crossing, to avoid distorting the AC waveform. If necessary, the AR-PRO can switch taps as often as once each cycle. Most commercial voltage regulators using multiple-tapped transformers switch taps with relays at uncontrolled times, thereby creating voltage spikes! And unlike voltage regulators that employ Ferro AR-PRO GRAPHS Output Voltage 132 130 128 126 124 122 120 118 116 114 112 110 FIGURE 1: OUTPUT VOLTAGE VS. INPUT VOLTAGE Functional Range Regulation Range Functional Range Regulation Range -No Output- 80 84 88 92 96 100 104 108 112 116 120 124 128 132 136 142 TWO VOLTS PER DIVISION 160 168 176 184 192 200 208 216 224 232240 248256264 FOUR VOLTS PER DIVISION Low Range Input Voltage Input Voltage High Range Input Voltage Output Current FIGURE 2: AVAILABLE OUTPUT CURRENT VS. INPUT VOLTAGE 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 80 84 88 92 96 100 104 108 112 116 120 124 128 132 136 142 TWO VOLTS PER DIVISION 160 168 176 184 192 200 208 216 224 232 240 248256264 FOUR VOLTS PER DIVISION Low Range Input Voltage Input Voltage High Range Input Voltage -3- AR-PRO ­ AC LINE VOLTAGE REGULATOR resonant transformers, the AR-PRO is not sensitive to small errors in line frequency, making it ideal for use with generators. The AR-PRO has twelve convenience outlets on its rear panel, and two on the front panel. All outlets are regulated, spike-suppressed, and filtered against RFI with a 3-pole filter. There are no controls except a master circuit breaker, which serves as an on-off switch. Two bar-graph meters, each comprised of 21 LEDs indicate input voltage and output current. Three other LEDs indicate proper function (i.e., the output voltage is either within ±5% of desired output, or above or below that range). One or more units may be turned on remotely, either simultaneously or in sequence, by switching an internally-derived DC control line. The AR-PRO is housed in a double space (3.5" high and 17" deep) rack-mount chassis, and weighs only 50 lbs (23 kg). It is made of extremely rugged heavygauge black powder coat steel. Adjustable rear rack ears (RPM-2, sold separately) allow it to be secured in both front and rear. It comes equipped with a 125/250V-30A twist-lock input connector and a mating female cable-mount connector, ready to terminate your own custom supply cable. To precisely monitor the AR-PRO's output voltage, you may want to use one or more Furman PL-Series Power Conditioner and Light Modules. Furman's PL-Series is the perfect complement to the AR-PRO for rack power distribution. Voltage meters monitor the incoming line (the AR-PRO's output), twin slide-out lights with a dimmer control illuminate your equipment, and eight additional outlets provide spike/surge protection and RFI filtering. it cannot do. These include, but are not limited to: 1. Protecting against direct lightning strikes. 2. Protecting from complete loss of power (blackouts). 3. Performing frequency conversion to 60 Hz. 4. Isolating ungrounded equipment. 5. Handling multiple-phase power. I N S TA L L AT I O N SUPPLY CABLE WIRING Because of the myriad differences in electrical code requirements around the world, plus the varying cable length needs in individual installations, it is not possible to include a complete supply cable with your AR-PRO. A cable-mount connector that mates with the AR-PRO's twist-lock connector is supplied, but it is up to the user to connect it to a cable with the appropriate gauge, number of conductors, length, and source-end connector. This section is intended to assist in determining the kind of cable to use, and in attaching it to the twist-lock connector. SELECTING THE CABLE For nominal 120 VAC operation, 3 conductor cable of at least 10 AWG* (.101"/2.56mm diameter) should be used, depending on distance from the power source. For nominal 220-240 VAC operation, 3 conductor cable of at least 14 AWG (.064"/1.62mm diameter) should be used, depending on distance from the power source. Rubber-jacketed cable is highly recommended for best flexibility and abrasion resistance. It is permissible to use 4 conductor cable, but it is not necessary to do so and is not recommended. AR-PRO LIMITATIONS AC power is, to some extent, unpredictable. The available voltage may vary from place to place and from moment to moment. The waveform may not be a perfect sine wave, and high or low frequency noise may be present. AC power also varies from country to country in terms of voltage and frequency. The AR-PRO is intended to reduce to the greatest extent possible, the impact of these irregularities. However, you should be aware that there are certain things * American Wire Gauge -4- AR-PRO ­ AC LINE VOLTAGE REGULATOR Refer to the following diagrams for wiring the twist-lock connector: there will be. This is due to the greater voltage drop. For example, the recommended minimums will result in a drop of approximately 1.0 volt for each 30 feet (10 meters) of cable. Increasing the cable by one AWG size will reduce the drop to 1 volt per 45 feet (15 meters). Bigger is definitely better in this case. (EQUIPMENT GROUND) G FRONT VIEW 12 5/ 25 . 0V X (HOT LEAD) MA NE -30 4 L1 30A. (USA 220-240 ONLY) Y (NEUTRAL) W SOURCE-END CONNECTOR The connector used at the source end should be rated at least 250V-15A for high range operation, or 120V-30A for low range operation. If in doubt, consult a licensed electrician when installing your AR-PRO. REAR VIEW X G RACK MOUNTING Because its toroidal transformer design has minimal magnetic leakage, the AR-PRO may be successfully installed in the same rack as other equipment. Though small for a device capable of handling 30 amps, this leakage is not zero. It is wise to avoid positioning the AR-PRO immediately adjacent to equipment which handles low-level signals, such as preamps, mike mixers, etc. Power amps or other high level devices would make better "rack neighbors." If excessive hum or buzz is present in the audio signal, you may be able to reduce or eliminate it by leaving more empty spaces next to the AR-PRO. Suggested rack locations would be near the top or bottom, with the bottom preferred due to the AR-PRO's weight. Because the AR-PRO generates considerable heat, leaving at least one empty space above and one below is recommended to aid in convective cooling. As with any rack-mount equipment, be sure to use 1032 machine screws for mounting in the rack's tapped holes. In particular, beware of 10-24 screws, which may fit, if forced, but will strip the threads. To avoid marring the front panel finish, use plastic washers under the screw heads. Adjustable rear rack ears (RPM-2, sold separately) permit the most secure rack installation. It is essential to use them when mounting the AR-PRO in any rack position other than the bottom. If your rack has no rear rack rails, you may wish to install them or at least substitute securely mounted blocks of wood. The rear rack ears can be attached to the wood blocks with wood screws. They can be adjusted to any railto-rail spacing from 17 to 18.5 inches by loosening the three adjusting screws on each side, sliding the ears to a new position, and retightening them. W Y All wiring configurations except North America 220-240V: Wire hot lead to X (black in North America; black, brown, or black with white stripes in Europe). Wire the neutral to W (white in North America; blue in Europe). Wire the equipment ground to G (green in North America; green with yellow stripes in Europe). North America 220-240V: Wire the two hot leads to X and Y (black, and white or red), and the equipment ground to G (green). Since the USA 220-240 doesn't use a neutral, you don't need to wire it. However, because of the lack of a neutral, it is essential that all equipment powered by an AR-PRO be properly grounded! Never cut off the power cord ground pin or use a "cheater" adaptor on any of your equipment. Output neutral will have voltage. EFFECTS OF CABLE LENGTH When dealing with high currents such as those handled by the AR-PRO, the supply cable itself must be considered part of the load. As such, the length, gauge, and temperature rating of the insulation must be taken into account. The minimum wire gauges we suggest may not be large enough when the cable run is longer than about 20 feet (7 meters). The smaller the cable conductors are, the more fluctuation of input voltage -5- AR-PRO ­ AC LINE VOLTAGE REGULATOR O P E R AT I O N FRONT PANEL FEATURES INPUT VOLTMETER: Measures input voltage in either of two ranges. The appropriate range is selected automatically and is indicated by an LED at the end of the scale. All LEDs are green except those at the extreme high and low ends, which are yellow. (Model AR-PRO-J has a 120V/100V switch on the rear panel. When it is set to 100V, use the blue scale for the low range.) OUTPUT AMMETER: Measures output current when it is between 5 and 30 amps. An additional "Overload" LED indicates current of 30A or more (if an overload ...