OWNER’S MANUAL
AtlasSound.com
1601 JACK MCKAY BLVD. • ENNIS, TEXAS 75119 U.S.A.
TELEPHONE: (800) 876-3333 • FAX (800) 765-3435
©2008 Atlas Sound LP. All rights reserved.
Atlas Sound is a trademark of Atlas Sound LP. Printed in China.
ATS003211 RevA 8/08
6
Specifications are subject to change without notice
ECS-3
OWNER’S MANUAL
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Atlas Sound ECS-3 AC Power Sequencer and Conditioner. The ECS-3
has been designed to meet most installation requirements for AC power distribution and equipment
power protection. The 15A compact 1 RU unit features three sequential timing sections that can
be activated via the unit, or remotely. Front panel activation is via a momentary switch, while rear
activation is via a momentary contact closure, or by 5-24VDC trigger feed. AC Mains Voltage can be
monitored via the front panel from the precision Digital Volt Meter. To light your rack, the ECS-3 has
incorporated a front panel pull-out dimmable LED tube light. The rear of the rack can be illuminated by
the optional 18" gooseneck LED lamp connected via an XLR style socket. LED lamps are far superior
in longevity along with heat reduction when compared to traditional incandescent lamps and the
XLR base mounts are also superior to the commonly used BNC type base. If a 15A AC Mains power
source is not enough to meet the amperage demand of your system, the ECS-3 provides a sequenced
24VDC output that can be used to trigger other devices such as the Atlas Sound ECM-20SH 20A
stand alone AC power module.
The ECS-3 also features noise filtering for unwanted Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) that are
commonly introduced into the AC lines by nearby radio transmitters or wireless products. EMI filters
are incorporated to reduce noise from Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) from such items as electric
motors, switching power supplies and lightning. The benefit of these filters can be seen on video
products or audibly by reducing static pops and external signal interference.
Unstable AC Mains voltage is one of the main reasons for equipment failure. AC Spikes, or Transients,
are commonly caused by lightning storms or utility power plant grid switchovers. The amount of energy
that can be injected into the power system can be immense with voltages reaching 6KV or amperage
peaks of 3000A. These spikes are very fast and usually only last for a very short period of time. To
protect against this potential problem, the ECS-3 features Dual Clamping Suppression technology
(DCS). If a spike intrudes the AC system, the ECS-3 incoming AC Mains has special suppression
circuitry to eliminate the unwanted energy and in the unlikely event of any energy getting pass the first
stage, each sequenced output section has redundant DCS circuitry clamping the unwanted energy.
This circuitry is very fast and can suppress unwanted energy within a nanosecond, while sustaining
the suppression up to 2 milliseconds, thus ensuring virtually trouble free protection.
High and low AC Main line voltages are another major contributor to equipment failures. High line
can also be known as surges. Surges usually are a slower steady state rise in voltages ranging from
128VAC and up. They can be caused from fluctuations from the utility company's power lines, or
industrial equipment turning on and off, and is on the same power leg of the building's incoming AC.
Low line is also known as brownouts. This happens when the AC Mains drops below 107VAC. Most
of the time it is caused by the utility company not being able to supply enough power during heavy