Abus AB-20 Installation Manual
Installation Guide / Warranty Information
Product Installation Overview
Volume Control Module
AB-20 / AB-39 / AB-43 / AB-45
& Local Input Module
AB-70
hubs
vcm
speakers
modules
Volume Control Modules (VCM) are wall mounted room units connected to
the hub or A-BUS/
READY
amplifier via a single Cat5 cable. The cable delivers
high quality stereo audio signal at line level and supplies power for the
amplifier and status control to activate the VCM or return it to Mute. A range
of VCM’s is available to suit individual room requirements. Most include
infrared (IR) receivers to relay control commands to the source components
from a remote. The IR facility can control the volume level by remote and
multi-source hubs. It is our recommendation the AB-45 is used with the
multi-source hubs. All VCM’s drive one pair of 6-8 ohm speakers via a short
run of speaker cable.
Please read these instructions and the instructions of your A-BUS hub
carefully before installation.
Installation Volume Control Modules
It is recommended that your Volume Control Module be installed by a
qualified installer to ensure that the installation is carried out correctly and it
complies with all relevant installation regulations. It should not be installed
within 100mm (4”) of a high voltage device (eg. light switch) and the cable
should not be run in parallel or within 100mm (4”) of high voltage cables or
data cables, etc. It is designed to fit onto a US single-gang plate and back
box to match.
The Volume Control Module or A-BUS/
DIRECT
is connected to the hub
via a single Cat5 cable. The Cat5 cable from the hub should be properly
connected to [7], using a proper installation tool. RJ-45 connectors should be
wired to the T568A standard. It is recommended that the Cat5 cable length
be no longer than 30m (100ft); longer runs may induce noise and reduce
sound quality. The speaker cable terminal [8] will accept up to 14 gauge
cable. Note: The power supply should not be plugged in until all components
have been connected.
Set-up
- Installation should be completed with all volume control modules
connected but not installed into the walls. Follow these steps to give you
maximum control flexibility over the volume of your Forté A-BUS system.
On the back of the volume control modules there are trim pots (Left & Right)
[9] that fine-tune the output level to compensate for the length of the cable
run, the efficiency of the speakers and the size of the room. There are also
situations where you may want to limit the output level in a particular room.
With the trim pots adjusted to minimum, the main volume control should be
adjusted to maximum level, then with popular music playing the trim pots
should be brought up to a point just below the amplifier’s clipping level.
Clipping is the point where the sound starts to distort. When the trim pots are
all set to the desired level the installation may be completed.
Mini Remote Control Handset AB-40RC (see back side)
The mini remote control handset supplied with some volume control
modules, contains basic Forté A-BUS remote control commands, volume
Up/Down [10] up to 4 individual input selections [11] Mute [12] and System
Mute (Global) [13]. In good conditions this handset should have an operating
range of up to 20m (70ft), in poor conditions such as bright sunlight it may be
less than 5m (15ft).
ABR-43 Learning Remote Keypad with Cradle can also be used. Please
refer to the ABR-43 Instruction Manual.
Installation Local Input Module
The LIM [14] provides “local” input capability for sources such as TV, MP3,
computer, etc. in the zone. The LIM automatically switches to the local input
when a local source is detected. 30-seconds after the local source ceases,
the LIM automatically reverts to the main input source. One Cat5 cable runs
from the hub to the LIM location then to the room unit (VCM or A-BUS/
DIRECT
speaker). Please note in case of a TV as a LIM, Cat5 cable should run past
the room’s aerial point. Multiple LIMs can be wired in series per each room
unit. The source closest to the room unit is the over ridding master.
The LIM can be used with audio devices with standard line level outputs
- computers, Discmans and MP3 players. Care should be taken to make
sure the output of these devices is the industry standard of 1 volt. Some
audio cards in computers can have very low outputs requiring the card to
be updated. Connecting to a variable output (headphone) may require the
output to be at full level for correct operation; this may increase system
distortion. The headphone output on Apple iPods is not suitable, correct iPod
audio/video adaptor leads are available.
Note: In situations is where there is low sensitivity or in movies with
protracted silent passages the LIM may revert to the main source
prematurely. In these situations it is advised that the main source be
switched to an input with no audio signal to avoid interruption.
Fault Finding
• Most faults occur as a
result of incorrect wiring.
• Check all connections
carefully.
• Make sure all speakers
are wired in phase.
• Disconnect volume
control modules from hub
and check operation one
by one.
• A short in a line or
incorrect wiring will
cause the volume control
module to shutdown until
the fault is fixed.
• Status indicates the
system is active. (LED
indicator on IR models
only)
VOLUME CONTROL MODULE
LOCAL INPUT MODULE
A-BUS/
READY
TRIM POTS
LEFT
RIGHT
R- R+
L+ L-
SPEAKER OUT
LEFT
SPEAKER
RIGHT
SPEAKER
LINE LEVEL AUDIO
LINE LEVEL AUDIO
TO
ADDITIONAL
HUBS
SPEAKER CABLE
INFRARED
INFRARED
PS-2
STANDARD SYSTEM
SOURCE2
AMP
SOURCE1
SOURCE2
SOURCE1
Cat5
Cat5
Cat5
Cat5
OUT EXPANSION IN
OUT EXPANSION IN
Forté/A-BUS OUTPUTS
Forté/A-BUS OUTPUTS
IR EMITTERS
IR EMITTERS
LOCAL IR
LOCAL IR
STAT
SIG
GND
V +
STAT
SIG
GND
V +
POWER
POWER
STATUS
STATUS
R AUDIO L
R AUDIO L
TM
AMP
APS-40
IR
IR
IR
IR
IR
TV
PC
MP3
HUB
14
9
7
8
OR
Cat5
SPEAKER CABLE
OUTPUT
OUTPUT
INPUT
INPUT
A-BUS/
DIRECT