8
The S500 Protection Circuitry
As noted in the “Guided Tour” section of this manual, the S500 front-panel
Protection LED indicates the activity of the relay speaker connection circuitry.
When the Protection LED is lit, this circuitry is active, and all connected speakers
are muted (provided with 0 volts DC), thus protecting them and preventing any
audible “thump” from occurring.
The following conditions will cause the Protection LED to go on:
• Initial power-up: For approximately five seconds after initial power-up, the
protection circuitry is activated and the speaker output is muted. If everything is
operating normally, you will hear an audible click at the conclusion of this brief
period, as the protection circuitry is deactivated and the S500 begins delivering
signal to connected speakers (at which point you’ll hear a click). It is normal for
the Protection LED to fade gradually after the amplifier is powered off.
• Overheating: A temperature sensing device in the S500 will cause the protec-
tion circuitry to be activated (and the Protection LED to go on) whenever the
operating temperature of the unit rises above a safe level. To guard against this
problem, make sure the S500 receives adequate ventilation on all sides and that
both the front and rear panels are unobstructed.
• Severe overcurrent conditions: This occurs whenever the signal being input to
the S500 rises to a level above 20% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion).
• Shorted speaker cables: This will occur if, due to faulty wiring, the hot and
ground signals being output by the S500 short one another.
• Output impedance drops below 2 ohms: This can occur if the S500 is con-
nected to inappropriate speaker systems (see the “Setting Up and Using Your
S500” section on page 5 in this manual for more information).
• DC voltage detected at speaker output: The most likely cause of this is an
internal failure.
In general, any time the Protection LED lights up (other than during the
approximately five seconds following initial power-up), there is reason to be
concerned. If this occurs, turn the S500 off immediately and carefully check all
wiring and external devices in order to locate and correct the condition that
caused the LED to light up in the first place.
For further assistance, contact your local Samson dealer. If purchased in the
United States, you can call Samson Technical Support (1-800-372-6766)
between 9 AM and 5 PM EST.
WARNING: If the Protection LED fails to go out (and you fail to hear the
accompanying audible click) approximately five seconds after power-up,
turn the S500 off immediately and check all external devices and wiring
for possible shorts or other defects.
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