8
Russound MCA-88X Installation Manual
INSTALLATION OVERVIEW
Ventilation Requirements
Important:
The MCA-88X should be situated so that its location or position
does not interfere with its proper ventilation. Do not block vents above or to
the sides of the unit, as it requires ventilation for proper operation. Do not
expose to excessive dust, and do not allow dust to build up on the unit and
block vent holes. Do not place the MCA-88X above or below a heat-generating
component such as an audio amplifier.
Be sure to leave at least 2 inches of space to the sides of the unit with open air
flow above. A single-space rack mount vent or about 1.75 inches must be kept
clear above and below the unit.
Installation
The MCA-88X controller can be rack mounted or placed on a shelf in an
equipment rack. The controller occupies two rack spaces with the feet
removed.
The controller can be installed in an equipment rack using the included
rack-mount ears and hardware to attach the ears to the controller chassis.
Up to six controllers can be connected for up to 48 zones on the system.
Electrical Power
The MCA-88X operates at 100-120VAC ~60 Hz or 220-240VAC ~50 Hz. Voltage
is selected by the voltage switch on the rear panel and incorporates the
appropriate detachable power cord. It is recommended that the MCA-88X and
the source equipment be plugged into a dedicated 20-amp circuit. A power
line conditioner can reduce interference problems caused by noise found in
some electrical systems.
The power switch for the unit is on the front panel.
Important Considerations
• Disconnect the power cord before making any connections to the
controller.
• Verify that all connections and polarity are correct.
• Keep all power cords away from all signal cables to prevent humming from
induced noise.
• Choose reliable signal cables and patch cords.
• Label all wires with the room location at both ends of the wire.
• Avoid running speaker wires or signal cables close to house electrical
wiring for any distance. If you have to run them parallel, make sure to space
the wires at least two feet from the AC line. If you need to cross an AC line it
should be at a 90° angle.
• For multiple controllers, the controller ID must be set with the rotary switch
on the rear panel. Each controller must be set to a unique number before
powering connected controllers.
Do not connect the controller’s main power feed until all other
connections have been made and verified. Live connection or
removal of the keypad wiring or other wiring when the system
is powered can result in erratic operation or system damage.
Double-check terminations during each phase of the installation
to prevent accidental damage. Incorrect wiring is the number one
cause for non-warranty product damage.
