Power Requirements
The Acheron Designer combines advanced loudspeaker technology with equally advanced power capabilities. Understanding power distribution, voltage and current requirements, and electrical safety guidelines is critical to the safe operation of the Acheron Designer.
AC Connectors
The Acheron Designer user panel includes 3-pole, PowerCon AC connectors, as shown in the figure below.
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AC Input (Left) and AC Loop Output (Right) Connectors
AC Input Connector (Blue)
The blue AC Input connector supplies power to the Acheron Designer loudspeaker. The connector is rated at 20 amps and uses a PowerCon3 AC mains locking connector that prevents accidental disconnections. A 10-foot AC power cable, rated at 15 amps, is included with each Acheron Designer. If you replace the included AC power cable, make sure to use a cable with the appropriate power plug (on the other end) for the region in which you will operate the unit.
The AC Input connector also supplies power to any additional loudspeakers connected to the Acheron Designer’s gray Loop Output connector. Each Acheron Designer loudspeaker requires approximately 3.24 A rms maximum at 115 V AC and 1.74 A rms maximum at 230 V AC for proper operation.
Caution
When using the included AC power cable, do not loop more than three additional Acheron Designers from the AC Loop Output connector at 115 V (four total for the circuit), and not more than seven at 230 V (eight total for the circuit).
AC Loop Output Connector (Gray)
The gray AC Loop Output connector allows multiple Acheron Designers to be looped and powered from a single power source. Connect the AC Loop Output of the first Acheron Designer to the AC Input of the second unit, and so forth. The AC Loop Output uses a PowerCon3 AC mains locking connector that prevents accidental disconnections.
The maximum number of loudspeakers that can be looped from the Loop Output connector is determined by the voltage of the power source, the current draw of the looped loudspeakers, the circuit breaker rating, and the rating of the AC power cable connected to Acheron Designer.
Note
The Acheron Designer current draw is dynamic and fluctuates as operating levels change. The numbers in the table below assume that operating levels are normal and not such that the loudspeakers are constantly limiting.
Circuit Breaker/ Connector Rating | 115 V AC | 230 V AC | 100 V AC |
|---|---|---|---|
15 amps | 3 looped (4 total) | 7 looped (8 total) | 2 looped (3 total) |
20 amps | 5 looped (6 total) | 10 looped (11 total) | 3 looped (4 total) |
Each Acheron Designer ships with one AC looping connector for making AC looping cables. Assembled AC looping cables are available from Meyer Sound.
Caution
Do not exceed the current capability of the 20-amp Input connector for the Acheron Designer. When looping loudspeakers, consider the total current draw for all loudspeakers on the circuit, including the first loudspeaker.
Wiring for AC Connections
The Acheron Designer requires a grounded outlet. To operate safely and effectively, it is extremely important that the entire system be properly grounded.
When wiring international or special-purpose AC power cables and connectors, use the following wiring scheme:
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AC Cable Wiring Scheme
Connect the blue wire to the black terminal, or the terminal marked with an N.
Connect the brown wire to the red terminal, or the terminal marked with an L.
Connect the yellow and green wire to the green (or green and yellow) terminal, or the terminal marked with an E.
Caution
When creating AC power cables and distribution systems, it is important to preserve AC line polarity and connect the earth ground on both ends of the cable. The Acheron Designer requires a grounded connection. Always use a grounded outlet and plug. It is extremely important that the system be properly grounded to operate safely and properly. Do not ground-lift the AC cable.
AC Power Distribution
All components in an audio system (self-powered loudspeakers, mixing consoles, and processors) must be properly connected to an AC power distribution system to ensure that AC line polarity is preserved and that all grounding points are connected to a single node or common point using the same cable gauge as the neutral and line cables.
Note
Improper grounding of connections between loudspeakers and the rest of the audio system may produce noise or hum, or cause serious damage to the input and output stages of the system’s electronic components.
Caution
Before applying AC power to any Meyer Sound self-powered loudspeaker, make sure that the voltage potential difference between the neutral and earth-ground lines is less than 5 V AC when using single-phase AC wiring.
The figure below illustrates a basic three-phase AC distribution system with the loudspeaker load distributed across the three phases. All loudspeakers are connected to common neutral and earth-ground lines.
AC Power Distribution System
Acheron Designer Voltage Requirements
The Acheron Designer operates safely and continuously when the AC voltage stays within 100–264 V AC at 50 or 60 Hz. The loudspeaker can withstand continuous voltages up to 275 volts and allows any combination of voltage to GND (neutral-line-ground or line-line-ground).
If the voltage drops below 90 V (brownout), the unit uses stored power to continue operating temporarily; the loudspeaker shuts down if the voltage does not rise above the low boundary before the stored power is used.
If the voltage rises above 275 V, the power supply immediately shuts off to prevent damage to the unit.
If the Acheron Designer shuts down due to either low or high voltage, its power supply automatically powers up again after three seconds, so long as the voltage has returned to its normal operating window. If the Acheron Designer does not power up after 10 seconds, remove AC power immediately and contact Meyer Sound Technical Support.
Caution
The power source for the Acheron Designer should always operate within the required voltage range, at least a few volts from the upper and lower ranges. This ensures that AC voltage variations from the service entry — or peak voltage drops due to cable runs — will not cause the loudspeaker’s amplifier to cycle on and off or cause damage to the power supply.
Note
When voltage fluctuates within the Acheron Designer’s operating range, automatic tap selection stabilizes the operating voltage. This tap selection is instantaneous with no audible artifacts.
Tip
Since the Acheron Designer does not require a dedicated neutral line, and it can tolerate elevated voltages from the ground line, it can be connected to line-line terminals in 120 V, 3-phase Wye systems. This results in 208 V AC between lines (nominal) and therefore draws less current than when using 120 V AC (line-neutral). Make sure that the voltage remains within the Acheron Designer’s recommended operating window (100-264 V AC). The ground line must always be used for safety reasons and the line-to-ground voltage should never exceed 264 V AC (typically 120 V AC from line-to-ground).
Powering Up the Acheron Designer
When AC power is applied to the Acheron Designer, its Intelligent AC™ power supply automatically selects the correct operating voltage, allowing it to be used internationally without manually setting voltage switches. In addition, Intelligent AC provides soft-start power up, eliminating high inrush currents; suppresses high-voltage transients up to several kilovolts; filters common mode and differential mode radio frequencies (EMI); and sustains operation temporarily during low-voltage periods.
When powering up the Acheron Designer, the following startup events take place over several seconds.
Audio output is muted.
Voltage is detected and the power supply mode is automatically adjusted as necessary. The power supply ramps up.
During the power up sequence, the three-color On/Status LED flashes all three colors.
After the power up sequence and system check have completed, the ON/Status LED turns solid green, indicating the loudspeaker is ready to reproduce audio.
Caution
If the On/Status LED does not turn green, or the Acheron Designer does not output audio after ten seconds, remove AC power immediately and verify that the voltage is within the required range. If the problem persists, contact Meyer Sound Technical Support.
Acheron Designer Current Requirements
The Acheron Designer current draw is dynamic and fluctuates as operating levels change. Since different cables and circuit breakers heat up at varying rates, it is important to understand the following types of current ratings and how they affect circuit breaker and cable specifications.
Idle Current — The maximum rms current during idle periods.
Maximum Long-Term Continuous Current — The maximum rms current during a period of at least 10 seconds. The Maximum Long-Term Continuous Current is used to calculate temperature increases for cables, to ensure that cable sizes and gauges conform to electrical code standards. The current rating is also used as a rating for slow-reacting thermal breakers.
Burst Current — The maximum rms current during a period of around one second. The Burst Current is used as a rating for magnetic breakers. It is also used for calculating the peak voltage drop in long AC cable runs according to the following formula:
V pk (drop) = I pk x R (cable total)
The Burst Current can also be used to calculate the AC looping capability of Acheron Designer.
Maximum Instantaneous Peak Current — A rating for fast-reacting magnetic breakers.
Inrush Current — The spike of initial current encountered when powering on.
You can use the table below as a guideline for selecting cable gauge and circuit breaker ratings for the system’s operating voltage.
Current Draw | 115 V AC | 230 V AC | 100 V AC |
|---|---|---|---|
Idle Current | 0.23 A rms | 0.19 A rms | 0.24 A rms |
Maximum Long-Term Continuous Current | 1.58 A rms | 0.83 A rms | 1.78 A rms |
Burst Current | 3.1 A rms | 1.4 A rms | 3.6 A rms |
Maximum Instantaneous Peak Current | 12.0 A peak | 8.0 A peak | 12.4 A peak |
Inrush Current | 25 A peak | 54 A peak | 20 A peak |
The minimum electrical service amperage required by an Acheron Designer loudspeaker system is the sum of the Maximum Long-Term Continuous Current for each loudspeaker. An additional 30 percent above the minimum amperage is recommended to prevent peak voltage drops at the service entry.
Note
For best performance, the AC cable voltage drop should not exceed 10 V, or 10 percent at 115 V and 5 percent at 230 V. Make sure that even with AC voltage drops that the AC voltage always remains within the operating windows.
Electrical Safety Guidelines
Pay close attention to these important electrical and safety guidelines.
The Acheron Designer requires a grounded outlet. Always use a grounded outlet and plug.
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Do not use a ground-lifting adapter or cut the AC cable ground pin.
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Do not exceed the current capability of the 20-amp AC Input connector for the loudspeaker. When looping loudspeakers, consider the total current draw for all loudspeakers on the circuit, including the first loudspeaker.
Make sure the AC power cable for the loudspeaker has the appropriate power plug (on the other end) for the area in which you will operate the loudspeaker. In addition, the AC power cable must be rated for the total current draw of all loudspeakers looped from the power source.
Do not operate the unit if its power cable is frayed or broken.
Keep all liquids away from the Acheron Designer to avoid hazards from electrical shock.