Camco V8, User Manual, Page: 22 / 36

VORTEX
S I LV E R SE R I ES
USER MANUAL
VORTEX SILVER SERIES V8
P.21
4.6.5 Fuse Protection
When driving the V8 at very high output levels over a longer period of time
(i.e. several seconds and minutes) the average mains current draw can be-
come very high. In such situations, the FuseProtect limiter will reduce the
output signal in order to prevent the external mains breaker from tripping.
But this limiter in turn will not affect the output signal on dynamic music
signal and short current peaks, thus guaranteeing the full available peak
output power.
Due to the very large output power of the
V8 , this limiter has been set to a
maximum average mains input current of approx. 24 A.
This design choice has been made to achieve the best compromise be-
tween mains breaker tripping protection and long term output power ca-
pabilities of the
V8 . This choice allows the V8 to deliver more output power
over a longer time period, which it is easily capapable of.
But in turn this also means that mains breaker tripping still
can occur when
driving the V8 at very high output levels over a longer time period.
If repeated mains breaker tripping is an issue, the V8 offers the possibility
to reduce the average mains current level down to 8 A if needed (in 1 A
steps). Typically a value of 18 A is safe for use with a 16 A C-type mains
breaker.
Please note that the FuseProtect limiter only controls the average mains
input current, not the short term peak input current. This means that with
very dynamic music signals the (short term) input current can still reach
very high levels, which can be very demanding for a mains distribution,
even with this limiter set to low values.
See also chapter 3.3.3.
If active, this limitation is indicated in the display’s Signal Monitor and also
by a red LED behind the dust cover (approx. in the top middle of the dust
cover).
4.7 Main SMPS Protections
4.7.1 Overcurrent Protection
Main SMPS (Switched Mode Power Supply) transformer current of your V8
amplifier is continuously monitored. If over current occurs, the main SMPS
immediately stops working. Should there be an internal failure, this feature
prevents other parts being damaged.
4.7.2 Overload Protection
In case of extremely high output levels with heavily clipped output signals
and low loudspeaker impedances < 3 Ω, this additional protection will re-
duce the amplifier stage output current limitation very quickly. If activated,
this indicates that the amplifier is running close to it’s absolute maximum
power capacity. In normal operation (no clipping or only slight clipping)
this protection should never be activated.
If active, this protection is indicated by a white LED behind the dust cover
(on the top left side of the dust cover).
NOTE: Please reduce the input level if you see this LED flashing.
4.7.3 Thermal Protection
The temperature of the main SMPS transformer of your V8 amplifier is per-
manently monitored. If the temperature exceeds 85 °C, the main SMPS
is switched off. The amplifier’s display will indicate a main SMPS error in
this case.
4.8 Fans
The fans mounted in your V8 amplifier operate permanently, but as long as
the temperature remains below 40 °C, they run at their slowest speed and
can hardly be heard. The highest detected temperature from either chan-
nel controls the speed of the fans. Above 40 °C the speed is increased until
it reaches its maximum value.
4 OPERA
TION