Page 2 - RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK; QSC® is a registered trademark of QSC Audio Products, Inc.
EXPLANATION OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous” voltage within theproduct’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to human...
Page 3 - TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS Explanation of Graphical Symbols .......................................................2 FCC Interference Statement ....................................................................2 INTRODUCTION: PL2A Series Overview.................................................4Front Panel...
Page 4 - FRONT PANEL; CLIP; and; SIGNAL; per channel; POWER; indicator LEDs; PL2A OVERVIEW
FRONT PANEL 1. Power switch2. Cooling vents3. Gain control (1 per channel) 4. CLIP , -10 dB , -20 dB and SIGNAL indicator LEDs, 1 per channel 5. POWER , BRIDGE , and PARALLEL indicator LEDs 6. BI-AMP indicator LED 7. Handles Thank you for the purchase of your new POWERLIGHT 2A amplifier. To get the ...
Page 5 - Side cover plate removed for this illustration
REAR PANEL 1. DataPort 2. Terminal block inputs 3. Configuration switches 4. XLR inputs 5. Speakon outputs 6. Binding post outputs 7. Cooling air inlet vents 8. Serial number label 9. IEC connector for AC power cord 9a. Power cord retaining clip (install on item 8) SIDE PANEL 1. Low pass delay netwo...
Page 6 - REAR PANEL SWITCHES:; INPUT CONFIGURATION; LED on the front panel clearly indicates when the
INPUT CONFIGURATION- This switch selects between STEREO or PARALLEL input configuration. The indicator LED’s above the switch confirm the switch setting. FEATURES & SETUP- REAR PANEL SWITCHES: INPUT CONFIGURATION PARALLEL: The CH 1 and CH 2 inputs are connected together, applying a single input ...
Page 7 - MODE
FEATURES & SETUP- REAR PANEL SWITCHES: MODE MODE- This switch selects between BI-AMP , 2 CH , or BRIDGE modes of operation. The indicator LED’s above the switch confirm the selection. BRIDGE : This mode combines both output channels into one output. This mode is for driving a single, high-powere...
Page 8 - DATAPORT INPUT SIGNAL-; DATAPORT INPUT SIGNAL; DATAPORT CONNECTION; , but all other processing is
DATAPORT INPUT SIGNAL- This switch selects the regular inputs or the DataPort inputs, and allows the DataPort to enter before or after the analogprocessing. WARNING: There is no DataPort “flag” for this setting, so the appropriatesetting must be confirmed manually. FEATURES & SETUP- REAR PANEL S...
Page 9 - setting does not effect DataPort gain in any; GAIN-SENSITIVITY SELECT; This selection sets the maximum voltage gain of the amplifier to
GAIN-SENSITIVITY SELECT- This switch selects the gain structure of the amplifier. Each channel runs through a gain buffer which allows all models to have either a uniform 1.2 Vrms input sensitivity ora uniform 26 or 32 dB of voltage gain (all measured with the GAIN controls at maximum). The internal...
Page 10 - CH1 SUBAUDIO FILTER, CH2 SUBAUDIO FILTER-; Press the switch in for; CH1 SUBAUDIO FREQUENCY, CH2 SUBAUDIO FREQUENCY-; SIDE PANEL SWITCHES:; SUBAUDIO FILTER and SUBAUDIO FREQUENCY; Subaudio filter frequency response- filter off
The side panel cover plate must be removed to access the side panel switches. CH1 SUBAUDIO FILTER, CH2 SUBAUDIO FILTER- These push-button switches are used to turn on or off the SUBAUDIO FILTER for each channel. Press the switch in for ON ; the green LED illuminates when the filter is ON. Push in an...
Page 11 - LO FREQ DELAY and HF ATTEN; This switch is active only when the amplifier is in; DELAY NETWORK; disables the delay.; ENABLE LO FREQ; These switches are active only when the amplifier is in; Typical crossover frequency response curve showing
FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL SWITCHES: LO FREQ DELAY and HF ATTEN LO FREQ DELAY- This switch is active only when the amplifier is in BI-AMP mode. This switch controls an additional analog delay which adds to the inherent delay of the lowfrequency filter. The amount of delay is determined by the ...
Page 12 - These switches are only active when the amplifier is in; HORN BOOST
HORN BOOST- These switches are only active when the amplifier is in BI-AMP mode. These switches work in combination to control the amount of high-frequency hornboost. The horn boost is adjustable from 0 to 14dB in 2dB steps as measured at 20 kHz.Add the values of the selected switches for the total ...
Page 13 - POWER LIMITER; protection, but causes more audible “ducking” of the program level.; Power limiter switch settings for all possible combinations
FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL SWITCHES: POWER LIMITER POWER LIMITER: Each channel has its own limiter with independently adjustable threshold and time con- stants. A ten-section switch for each channel controls the limiter settings. LIMITER ACTIVITY LED’s: Just below the CH 1 and CH 2 labels you ...
Page 14 - POWER LIMITER (continued from previous page); Four tracking modes are available for your use:
FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL SWITCHES: POWER LIMITER (continued from previous page) FAST- Set both POWER LIMITER SPEED switches to FAST . This setting produces 20 milliseconds (0.020 seconds) of release time. The AVG mode will produce 8 milliseconds of attack time, and PEAK mode will produce les...
Page 15 - CLIP LIMITER; may be used with or without the adjustable Power Limiters.; POWER LIMITER TRACKING- continued; TRACKS
FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL SWITCHES: CLIP LIMITER CLIP LIMITER: The PL2A amplifier also has separate limiters which respond only to amplifier clipping. These may be used with or without the adjustable Power Limiters. When the audio signal drives the amp's output circuit beyond its power capabi...
Page 16 - CROSSOVER & DELAY NETWORK SELECTION & INSTALLATION; A general guideline would be to; never use a larger value of delay SIP than; After choosing the desired values from the
FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL: CROSSOVER & DELAY NETWORK SELECTION & INSTALLATION SIP RESISTOR NETWORK INSTALLATION GUIDELINES AND SELECTIONINFORMATION Your PL2A amplifier is shipped configured to order with SIP networks installed. Ifthe factory set up is not applicable for your applicati...
Page 17 - Reinstall the side
FEATURES & SETUP- SIDE PANEL: CROSSOVER & DELAY NETWORK SELECTION & INSTALLATION The SIPs may be installed “either way”. TheSIPs are symmetrical and thus performidentically no matter which end points to theleft or right. This completely eliminates“polarity” errors that might otherwise ar...
Page 18 - DATAPORT, FRONT PANEL LED INDICATORS, GAIN CONTROLS; DataPort connector location
GAIN CONTROLS The gain controls are detented (21 steps) for repeatable adjustment. Surrounding the gain control knob, theattenuation level is shown in dB. Maximum gain depends on the model and the GAIN-SENSITIVITY SELECTswitch setting. For full details, see the specification section. FRONT PANEL LED...
Page 19 - RACK MOUNTING AND MOUNTING DIMENSIONS; Securing the Front Ears to the Rack Rails; The amplifier is first installed from the front; PL2 A dimensional details
INSTALLATION: RACK MOUNTING AND MOUNTING DIMENSIONS Before installing into equipment rack: ensure that all side-access DIPswitches and crossover SIPs are setup as desired. They will beimpossible (or extremely difficult) to change after the amplifier isinstalled in the rack. The side cover plate shou...
Page 20 - FAN COOLING & AC MAINS; FAN COOLING; . Use of smaller wire gauges can reduce the; Air flow in QSC amplifiers
INSTALLATION: FAN COOLING & AC MAINS FAN COOLING The fan varies speed automatically to maintain safe internal temperatures and minimize noise. Keep the frontand rear vents clear to allow full air flow. Hot air exhausts out the front of the amp so it does not heat the interior of the rack. Make s...
Page 21 - INPUTS; shield
INPUTS Each channel has active balanced "Euro-style" terminal block and XLR jacks wired in parallel. The input impedance is 12 kOhm balanced or 6 kOhm unbalanced. Each channel's inputjacks are wired in parallel. Unused input jacks may be daisy-chained to additional amplifiers if desired. Bal...
Page 22 - SpeakonTM Outputs; degradation of damping factor.; OUTPUTS
Speakon™ Outputs : The Speakon connector is designed specially for high-power speaker connections. It locks in place, prevents shock hazard, and assures the correct polarity. For easier insertion, use the newer-style NL4FC Speakon connectors with quick lock thumb latches. The upper Speakon jack (CH1...
Page 23 - Binding post outputs; • wire inserted from the side then the retaining nut is tightened; Banana plug capability is provided on
CONNECTIONS: OUTPUTS Binding post outputs Three connection methods may be used to connect to the binding post output terminals: • wire inserted from the side then the retaining nut is tightened • spade terminal inserted from the side then the knurled retaining nut is tightened • banana plug inserted...
Page 24 - SECURITY PANEL USE & INSTALLATION; INSTALLING THE SECURITY PANEL; Slide the right end of the security panel under the screw head.
REMOVING THE SECURITY PANEL 1. Use an angle 9/64" or 3.5 mm hex key to loosen the screw. 2. Use a small flat screwdriver to lift the right end of the security panel so that its tabs are free of the slots in the front panel. 3. Slide the security panel to the left until you can lift the left end ...
Page 25 - OPERATION; NORMAL OPERATING LEVELS; FRONT PANEL LED INDICATORS
OPERATION NORMAL OPERATING LEVELS The amp's protective muting system guards against excessive internal temperatures. With normal ventilation and 4 to 8 ohm loads, the amplifier will handle any signal level includingoverdrive. Lower load impedances and higher signal levels produce more internal heati...
Page 26 - The amplifier is in protective muting.; INDICATION: CLIP LED FLASHING; TROUBLESHOOTING: NO SOUND
Problem: NO SOUND • INDICATION: POWER INDICATOR NOT LIT • Check the AC plug. • Confirm that the AC outlet works by plugging in another device. If too many amplifiers are used on one outlet, the building's circuit breaker may trip and shut off power. • An overload in bridge mode may cause the amplifi...
Page 27 - PROBLEM: DISTORTED SOUND; at the amplifier. If the; PROBLEM: NO CHANNEL SEPARATION; PARALLEL; PROBLEM: SQUEALS AND FEEDBACK
PROBLEM: DISTORTED SOUND • INDICATION: CLIP LED FLASHING • If the red CLIP indicator flashes before all three signal indicators do, the load impedance is abnormally low or shorted. Unplug each speaker one-by-one at the amplifier. If the CLIP LED goes out when you disconnect a cable, that cable or sp...
Page 28 - BLOCK DIAGRAM & OPERATIONAL DETAILS; Soft Start Sequence
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW: BLOCK DIAGRAM & OPERATIONAL DETAILS An impressive amount of technology is packed "under the hood" of a PL2A amplifier. Thousands of watts of power flow inches away from state- of-the-art low noise inputs. Precise circuit layout and thorough protection assure that all ...
Page 29 - High Performance Audio; . The amplifier mutes as soon as power is
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW: BLOCK DIAGRAM & OPERATIONAL DETAILS High Performance Audio . High speed power transistors convert this DC power into the full range audio output which drives the speakers. High-current design and special dual-sense output feedback corrects errors on both sides of the speaker ...
Page 30 - S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
PL218A PL224A PL230A PL236A OUTPUT POWER in watts FTC: 8 ohms per channel (20-20k Hz., 0.05% THD) 310 440 575 725 4 ohms per channel (20-20k Hz., 0.07% THD) 525 715 900 1100 EIA: 1 kHz 8 ohms per channel 350 475 625 800 @1% THD 4 ohms per channel 600 825 1050 1300 2 ohms per channel 900 1200 1500 18...
Page 32 - WARRANTY INFORMATION & HOW TO CONTACT QSC AUDIO PRODUCTS
Disclaimer QSC Audio Products, Inc. is not liable for any damage to speakers, amplifiers, or any other equipment that is caused by negligence or improper installation and/or use of the PL2A amplifier. Product Warranty QSC guarantees the PL2A to be free from defective material and/or workmanship for ...
Page 33 - SETUP SHEET FOR PL2A AMPLIFIERS; Copy these blanks so that you have several copies.
SETUP SHEET FOR PL2A AMPLIFIERS Use these handy sheets to mark your switch positions for various setups. Each switch position has been “blanked” out so that you may place an “X” or a check-mark to indicate the setting of each switch for future reference. Copy these blanks so that you have several co...
Page 35 - 675 MacArthur Boulevard Costa Mesa, California 92626 USA
QSC Audio Products, Inc. 1675 MacArthur Boulevard Costa Mesa, California 92626 USA “QSC” and the QSC logo are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. ©2000, 2007 QSC Audio Products, Inc.
