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Installation Guide

PCS2 

Dual Power Current Sensor 

(for US 110 VAC 3-pole receptacles

)

Overview

The PCS2 Dual Power Current Sensor (

FG427

) detects the 110 VAC current drawn by 

equipment plugged into the onboard AC receptacles, and the LED status indicators assist 
with monitoring system applications. 
The PCS2 (FIG. 1) features adjustable sensing levels for high (full-on), low (standby), and 
no-power (off) power levels for up to two devices and comes complete with a built-in power 
supply. 

Common Application

The PCS2 is ideal for determining the status of controlled sources such as video projectors, 
monitors, A/V receivers, DVD players and other devices.

Features

On and standby status LEDs for each source

Power LED

Sensing for 20 mA, 10 A power current levels

Two US-style 3-prong 120 VAC receptacles

Specifications   

Installation

The PCS2 is simply plugged into a 120 VAC three-hole wall outlet to obtain power. Refer to 
the 

Wiring Guidelines

section for more information.

1.

Connect the STBY and ON outputs to the appropriate system inputs.

2.

Plug the device that the PCS2 is sensing for power status into the PCS2 AC 
receptacle.

3.

Plug the PCS2 into an AC outlet.

Rack mounting the PCS2

To rack mount the PCS2 using the optional AC-RK Accessory Rack Kit:
1.

Remove any connected power and communication connectors from the rear panel.

2.

Remove the two screws on the front panel of the PCS2.

3.

Remove the front panel and the space bracket behind the panel. 

4.

Remove the rubber feet on the bottom of the unit, if necessary. Insert a scissors blade 
or other sharp object into the side of one of the rubber feet and pull it off. 
Do the same to remove the other three rubber feet.

5.

Place the unit in the appropriate opening in the AC-RK. 

6.

Place the front panel of the PCS2 on the front of the rack over the unit and secure the 
front panel using the two screws removed in step 2.

System Diagram

FIG. 2 provides a diagram of an example system using the PCS2: 

Wiring Guidelines

The Wiring Specifications table lists wire sizes and the maximum lengths allowable between 
the PCS2 and the Central Controller. The maximum wiring lengths are based on a minimum 
of 13.5 volts available at the power supply output. 
The PCS2 requires a local +12 VDC power to operate properly. The maximum wiring 
distance between the power supply and PCS2 units are determined by power consumption, 
supplied voltage, and the wire gauge used for the cable. 
To reduce the possible effects of ground loop noise in the video, use a single-source power 
supply mounted within distances specified in the following table. 

Note

: Do not connect power to the PCS2 until the wiring is complete.

Preparing Captive Wires

You will need a wire stripper and flat-blade screwdriver to prepare and connect the captive 
wires.

Note

: Never pre-tin wires for compression-type connections.

1.

Strip 0.25 inch (6.35 mm) of insulation off all wires.

2.

Insert each wire into the appropriate opening on the connector according to the wiring 
diagrams and connector types described in this section.

3.

Turn the flat-head screws clockwise to secure the wire in the connector. Do not over-
torque the screws; doing so can bend the seating pin and damage the connector.

PCS2 to AXC-INP8

Connect the PCS2 output ports to the AXC-INP8 input ports, as illustrated in FIG. 3. 
Follow the illustration for Input 1 through Input 8. Set the jumpers of the associated inputs on 
the AXC-INP8 to Switch mode. All Switch mode inputs and the Card-Frame share common 
GND. 

FIG. 1  

PCS2 Dual Power Current Sensor

PCS2 Specifications

Power Requirement:

• 110 VAC @ 250 mA minimum
• 1200 W (10A) input power, fuse protected
• Attached US-style 3-prong 120 VAC power cord

Sensing:

• Standby: 2 Standby status LEDs / 2 Standby sense adjustment 

screws

• On: 2 On status LEDs / 2 On sense adjustment screws
• Sense Levels: 20 mA–10 A power current

Control Ports:

4 relay outputs (on and standby for each source), 1 A @ 28 VDC

Connections:

• On 1, 2: On sense relay output, 1 A @ 28 VDC
• Stby 1, 2: Standby sense relay output, 1 A @ 28 VDC
• Com 1, 2: Common for sense outputs
• AC 1, 2: Two US style 3-prong 110 VAC receptacles
                1,200 W (10A) output power, fuse protected
• AC Power: US style 3-prong 110 VAC power cord

Connectors:

• 6-pin captive-screw terminal
• 3-prong, grounded, 120 VAC receptacle

Dry Closure Relay 
Outputs:

• 0.5 A @120 VAC or 1 A @ 28 VDC

Indicators:

• 2 Standby LEDs
• 2 On LEDs
• Power LED

Load Sensitivity:

• 10 A 1200 W maximum (combined fuses)
• 20 mA 2.4 W minimum 120 W maximum

Enclosure:

• Metal black matte finish
• Mounts in optional AC-RK Accessory Rack Kit

Dimensions (HWD):

• 1.51" x 5.55" x 5.45" (38.4 mm x 141.10 mm x 138.4 mm)
• 1RU

Weight

28.8 oz (816 g)

Environmental:

Heat Dissipation Typical: 10.2 BTU/hr

Included Accessories

6-pin captive-screw terminal

Other AMX Equipment AC-RK - Accessory Rack (FG515)

FIG. 2  

Example System Diagram

Wiring Specifications

Wire Size

Maximum Wiring Length

18 AWG

29.34 feet (8.94 meters)

20 AWG

18.56 feet (5.66 meters)

22 AWG

11.57 feet (3.53 meters)

24 AWG

7.30 feet (2.23 meters)

FIG. 3  

PCS2 to AXC-INP8

PCS2

COM

STBY

ON

INP1

INP2

AXC-INP8

GND

GND

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