Page 13
Macro-Tech 5000VZ Power Amplifier
Reference Manual
3 Installation
3.1 Mounting
The
Macro-Tech 5000VZ is designed for standard
19 inch (48.3 cm) rack mounting and “stack” mounting
without a cabinet. For optimum cooling and rack sup-
port, multiple units should be stacked directly on top of
each other.
Important: Always support the back of the unit. Pro-
vide extra support if the unit will be transported.
Fig. 3.2 Top View of a Rack-Mounted Unit
per unit. Additional air flow may be required when driv-
ing low-impedance loads at consistently high output
levels. Refer to Section 7 for detailed information on
thermal dissipation.
When mounting the amplifier in a rack cabinet, the back
wall of the rack should be at least 3 inches (7.6 cm)
away from the back of the amplifier chassis as shown
in Figure 3.2.
Tip:
An easy way to verify adequate cooling is to ob-
serve the ODEP indicators while the amplifier is operat-
ing under worst-case conditions. If the indicators dim,
additional cooling is recommended.
If your rack has a door that could block air flow to the
amplifier’s air intakes, you must provide adequate air
flow by installing a grille in the door or by pressurizing
the air behind the door. Wire grilles are recommended
over perforated panels because they tend to cause
less air restriction. A good choice for pressurizing the
air behind the rack cabinet door is to mount a “squirrel
cage” blower inside the rack (Option 1 below). At the
bottom of the rack, mount the blower so it blows out-
side air into the space between the door and front of
the amplifiers, pressurizing the “chimney” behind the
door. This blower should not blow air into or take air out
of the space behind the amplifiers. For racks without a
door, you can evacuate the rack by mounting the
blower at the top of the rack so that air inside the cabi-
net is drawn out the back (Option 2 below).
Fig. 3.1 Mounting Dimensions
3.2 Cooling
NEVER block the air vents in the front or back of the
amplifier.
Macro-Tech amplifiers do not need to be
mounted with space between them. If you must leave
open spaces in a rack for any reason, close them with
blank panels or recirculation will result. Allow for air flow
of at least 75 cubic feet (2.1 cubic meters) per minute
If the air supply is unusually dusty, you might want to
pre-filter it using commercial furnace filters to prevent
rapid loading of the unit’s own air filters. When needed,
the unit’s filters can be cleaned with mild dish deter-
gent and water (see Section 4.5).
BLOWER
(OPTION 2)
BLOWER
(OPTION 1)
WARM
EXHAUST
FRONT
OF
RACK
DOOR
COOL AIR
INLET
EQUIPMENT
RACK
(SIDE VIEW)
Fig. 3.3 Proper Air Flow in a Rack Cabinet
