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Whether you are using ADA's cable or a suitable substitute, make certain that all connections
are clean. Any frays or loose strands may short a data line and can cause the system to lockup
or function poorly. Tone out all cable runs to make certain that you have both, continuity and
that none of the wires are shorting into each other. The most common problems result from
sloppy wire termination.
Home Run Wires
Prior to installing any of the equipment into the rack, ADA suggests toning out the keypad, IR,
speaker, and any other cables run from remote rooms to the equipment mainframe. Any short
in the control and IR cables will cause problems when you start installing the system
mainframe. Shorts in the speaker wire will cause the amplifiers safety fuse to blow. Connect-
ing a speaker pair such that one speaker positive connection is to a negative amplifier connector
will make the speaker pair sound poor.
Keypad & IRs Tips
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You can remove some of the screw terminal connectors from the WH-3000
and connect them to keypad and IR home runs after you have tested their wiring. Label all of
your home run wires. Do not connect these wires to the WH-3000 at this time. They will be
connected in the final stages of the installation, one at a time to ensure proper system operation.
Speakers Tips
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ADA power amplifiers are provided with removable "banana" jacks. You can
terminate the speaker wire to the "banana" jacks before connecting them to the amplifier. For
convenience, it is important to note that the little tab on one side of the "banana" jack is
imprinted with the word "ground". If you maintain the speaker's proper polarity, this tab will
limit confusion regarding as to which wire is ground.
Rear Access
If you have rear access to the equipment rack, you are in luck. This access will permit you to
wire the system after the components are racked. Furthermore, if there is a problem with any
of your wire terminations, it will be easier to locate and repair the wire when you have rear
access.
No Rear Access
If you do not have rear access to the equipment rack you will need to carefully plan the
equipment layout such that components which take up large rack spaces and have few wires
running to them are located at the bottom of the rack. These components can be left out while
you install, wire, and test the system. Furthermore, you can locate non-rack mount units
behind the lowest components such as WH-3000s, PCT-4s, BI-3000s, ACC-3s, BC-232s, and AC
Power Strips. Since wires will always hang downward (gravity), they will be in reach of these
devices. Components, such as amplifiers, can be located at the bottom of the rack when racks
begin near floor level. Components, such as sources, can be located at the bottom of the rack
when racks begin at counter top levels.
When wiring this type of rack, let the wires hang while you add components from the top of
the rack downward. Make certain that the wires you are using for ADA Bus, line level,
composite video, low voltage, and AC are long enough to maintain connection should the
components need to be removed. By working from the top of the rack downward, you will not
lose wires as you add components.