INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
Calculating the Impedance Magnification Setting
Use the following instructions and the accompanying charts to
select the correct switch setting for the number and type of
speakers in your system.
CAUTION! Every speaker pair
in the system must be connected
to an impedance-magnifying
volume control and set to the
same magnification.
1. Count the number of pairs of
4-ohm speakers and the number
of pairs of 8-ohm speakers you
are connecting. Count pairs of
6-ohm speakers as 4-ohm pairs.
2. Determine whether the amplifi-
er should see a 4-ohm load or
an 8-ohm load. You should find this information in the
owner’s manual of the amplifier.
3. Read the correct switch position from the charts on page 7.
See Figure 3 if your amplifier can drive a 4-ohm load. See
Figure 4 if your amplifier must have an 8-ohm speaker load.
4. Set the switches on all of the controls to the same position
(1x, 2x, 4x, or 8x).
Limitations in Volume with High Magnification Settings
Using an 8x setting limits the power to each speaker pair to
one-eighth of the amplifier’s output.
In a typical application of IM volume controls, a system has
eight pairs of 8-ohm speakers throughout the house. Each pair
of speakers is connected to an IM volume control with its
switches set for 8x.
With eight pairs of speak-
ers, one-eighth of the
amplifier’s power is
available to any pair.
Therefore, an amplifier
rated at 100W per chan-
nel RMS into 8 ohms will
deliver up to 12.5W to
each of the eight pairs –
whether you play all eight
pairs or just one pair. This
translates into a drop in
the maximum volume capability of about 9dB at the 8x setting.
USING SPEAKER SELECTORS WITH IM VOLUME
CONTROLS
Although IM controls provide volume and on/off at the volume-
control location, they do not give you central control of speak-
ers playing throughout the house. Speaker-selection systems
give you central control, but some speaker selectors have
non-defeatable impedance-protection circuits. Combining IM
controls with such a selector will reduce your maximum
volume substantially. To solve this problem, specify a speaker
selector with a defeatable protection circuit (Niles models
HDL-4, HDL-6, SPS-4, or SPS-6). Then keep the protection cir-
cuit off at all times.
JUNCTION BOXES
WVC 100: The mounting depth of the WVC 100 is 2-9/16".
When installed, the unit extends 2-1/16" behind the sheetrock
wall (assuming 1/2" sheetrock). For installation, use a
standard 18-cubic-inch (or larger) junction box. Suitable junc-
tion boxes are available from your Niles dealer or local electri-
cal-supply company.
WVC 100E: Use the PVC junction box (supplied), mounted
atop a PVC conduit through which the wires will run.
TYPE OF SPEAKER WIRE
We recommend 16-gauge stranded copper speaker wire for
most connections, and 14-gauge wire for runs longer than 80
feet. Don’t use speaker wire larger than 14 gauge, because larg-
er wire may not fit into the connectors. Never use solid-core,
aluminum, or Romex wire with an IM volume control. For
speaker-wire runs within walls, most U.S. states and munici-
palities require a special type of speaker wire with a specific CL
fire rating, such as CL-2 or CL-3. Consult your Niles dealer,
building contractor, or local building-inspection department if
you aren’t sure what kind of wire is best for your application.
MOUNTING LOCATION
WVC 100: Convenient mounting locations include:
• On a porch or patio wall.
• Near doorways.
• Close to a telephone.
• Near other wall-mounted controls.
WVC 100E: Convenient mounting locations include:
• At poolside.
• Near a hot tub.
• Near a barbecue.
• In other locations where a wall-mounted volume control
would be impractical.
W EATHERPROOF S TEREO V OLUME C ONTROLS
W EATHERPROOF S TEREO V OLUME C ONTROLS
43
TOOLS REQUIRED
• 1/8" Standard
Slotted Screwdriver
• 1/4" Standard
Slotted Screwdriver
• Wire Stripper
To Next Page
Loading...
