Tech Notes and Instructions

For AE Techron 2105, 2110 and 2120 Amplifiers

Remote Status and Control using the SIM Interlock I/O Connector

This document assumes competence on the part of the reader in terms of amplifier systems, electronic components, and good electronic safety and working practices.

SIM Interlock I/O 25-pin Connector

AE Techron 2100-series amplifiers come with a SIM-BNC input module that also contains a female, 25-pin D-Sub connector. This connector can be used to provide remote control and monitoring of the amplifier. The connector can also be used for some multiple-amplifier applications.

The information provided here will instruct you in the wiring of several control and status applications including:

  • Run status
  • Overtemperature status
  • Overload status
  • Overvoltage status
  • Reset after Overtemperature or Overload error
  • Remotely Enable amplifier / place in Standby
  • Current monitor
  • Blanking control

The following illustration maps the pins used for these applications:

SIM-Interlock pinouts

Click here for a detailed chart of all DB-25 connector pinouts (pdf format).

Remote Amplifier Status and Reset

Using the SIM-BNC Interlock connector located on the back panel of the amplifier, you can perform remote monitoring of one or more amplifier conditions including Run, Overtemperature, Overload and Overvoltage. If desired, you can also remotely reset the amplfier when forced to Standby condition due to Overtemperature or Overload conditions.

Remote Signal of Over Temperature Condition

Purpose: LED, when lit, signals Over Temperature condition.
Method: Use a 6mA series resistor of 4.02K-ohm for LED or OPTO, tie OverTemp Out (PIN 11) to -24V source (PIN 16). View circuit diagram
Signal Type: DC
Level when Asserted: -24V
Level when Deasserted: 0V
Note: When amp is normal, this pin is pulled to –24V through a 47.5K-ohm resistor; when amp is in OverTemp state, transistor Q37 turns on and sources chassis ground as an output. Do not exceed 20 milliamps.

OverTemp condition will force amp to Standby. The amp will automatically move to Run when temperature cools to operating levels.

Remote Signal of Run Condition

Purpose: LED, when lit, signals Run state.
Method: Use a 6mA series resistor of 4.02K-ohm for LED or OPTO, tie Run (PIN 12) to -24V source (PIN 16). View circuit diagram
Signal Type: DC
Level when Asserted: -24V
Level when Deasserted: 0V
Note: When amp is in Standby mode, this pin is pulled to -24V through a 10-ohm resistor in series with two solid-state relays; when amp is in Run mode, transistor Q34 turns on and sources chassis ground as an output, energizing Mains Relays. VOUT is typically -0.03V dc. Do not apply load to ground as this could enable Relays.

Remote Signal of OverLoad Condition

Purpose: LED, when lit, signals Overload condition.
Method: Use a 6mA series resistor of 4.02 Kohm for LED or OPTO, tie OverLoad Out (PIN 23) to -24V source (PIN 16). View circuit diagram
Signal Type: DC
Level when Asserted: -24V
Level when Deasserted: 0V
Note: When amp is normal, this pin is pulled to -24V through a 47.5K-ohm resistor; when amp is in Overload state, transistor Q36 turns on and sources chassis ground as an output. Do not exceed 20 milliamps.

OverLoad condition will force amp to Standby (default) or to Stop (when Stop Mode on Overload option is enabled). If in Standby, amp will automatically move to Run when overload is remedied. If in Stop, Reset must be triggered via front-panel Reset button or remote Amplifier Reset.

Remote Signal of OverVoltage Condition

Purpose: LED, when lit, signals Overvoltage condition.
Method: Use a 6mA series resistor of 4.02 Kohm for LED or OPTO, tie OverVoltage Out (PIN 24) to -24V source (PIN 16). View circuit diagram
Signal Type: DC
Level when Asserted: -24V
Level when Deasserted: 0V
Note: When amp is normal, this pin is pulled to -24V through a 47.5K-ohm resistor; when amp is in Overvoltage state, transistor Q29 turns on and sources chassis ground as an output. Do not exceed 20 milliamps.

Reset from Standby or Stop

Purpose: Switch, when thrown, returns amp to Ready/Run condition after Overtemperture or Overload conditions.
Method: Use a dry-contact switch, voltage regulator (MC7915), and two 0.01/50V capacitors; wire the circuit as shown (below). Assert 15V for at least 100 ms to clear the error condition. Note: Do not hold low. View circuit diagram
Signal Type: DC
Level when Asserted: -15V
Level when Deasserted: 0V
Note: Tie to PIN 13 (-24V dc) and create a -15V dc source; <2mA required for reset. Connect the -15V dc source to PIN 25 (Reset) through a 1K buffer resistor to reset.

Status and reset

Click for larger view.

Remote Enable / Standby

Using the SIM-BNC Interlock connector located on the back panel of the amplifier, you can remotely Enable the amplifier and/or place the unit in Standby mode.

Remote Enable/Standby Control

Purpose: Use a switch or optocoupler to remotely disable the amplifier and place it in Standby mode. Also, return the amplifier from Standby mode to the Run condition.
Method: Short PIN 4 of amplifier to Digital Ground (PIN 17) using a dry contact switch or optocoupler. In multi-amp applications, a switch can be used for Parallel systems, but an optocoupler must be used for Series systems. Multiple amplifiers (sharing the same Sampled Common power connections) can be simultaneously forced to Standby by daisy-chaining Interlock (PIN 4) across amps. When Interlock (PIN 4) is shorted to Digital Ground (PIN 17), amplifier is placed in Standby mode. When switch is open, amplifier is released to the Run condition.
Signal Type: DC
Level when Asserted: 0 to 8 V
Level when Deasserted: 10 to 15 V
IMPORTANT: The amplifier must be configured for Ready mode at startup (factory default) or the Run button must be pressed at the amplifier front panel at startup. The Remote Enable/Standby circuit will not function if the Startup to Standby Latch has been activated on the amplifier.

Remote Enable/Standby

Remote Monitoring of Run/Standby Status

Using the SIM-BNC Interlock connector located on the back panel of the amplifier, you can monitor the Run/Standby state of the amplifier.

Remote Run/StandbyStatus

Purpose: Use a voltate meter to monitor the status of the amplifier to determine if the amplifier is in a "Run" or "Standby" state.
Method: Connect a voltage meter to monitor the Run/Standby state. Connect across PIN 4 (Interlock) and PIN 10 (Sampled Common). When the voltage meter reads >10V, the amplifier is in the Run state; when the meter reads <10V, the amplifier is in the Standby state.
Signal Type: DC
Level when Asserted: >10V
Level when Deasserted: <10V
IMPORTANT: This circuit has a 100K pull-up resistor. Make sure the monitor function has sufficient impedance to avoid accidentally influencing status.

Remote Enable/Standby

Remote Monitoring of Current Output

Using the SIM-BNC Interlock connector located on the back panel of the amplifier, you can remotely monitor the current output.

Remote Monitoring of Current Output

Purpose: Use a voltage meter to monitor output current.
Method: Connect a voltage meter to monitor the output current being produced by the amplifier. Connect across PIN 6 (I MON+) and PIN 10 (Sampled Common).
Signal Type: DC
Level when Asserted: 7212/7224: 5A/V; 7548/7796: 20A/V
Level when Deasserted: 0V

current monitoring

Remote Monitoring of Current Output-Alternate Method

Purpose: Use a voltage meter to monitor output current when output is not balanced.
Method: Connect a voltage meter to monitor the output current being produced by the amplifier. Connect across PIN 16 (IMON+) and PIN 19 (IMON-).
Signal Type: AC
Level when Asserted: 7212/7224: 2.5A/V; 7548/7796: 10A/V
Level when Deasserted: 0V
CAUTION: To avoid ground loops, isolation from ground must be provided. Use of a differential probe is recommended.

current monitoring

Blanking Control

Using the SIM-BNC Interlock connector located on the back panel of the amplifier, you can activate the amplifier's blanking circuit.

Blanking Circuit Activation

Purpose: Activate the blanking circuit that shuts down the amplifier output stage in less than 10µs.
Method: Build a switchable circuit using an external, isolated 5V power supply that can apply a +5V signal to PIN 8. Connect across PIN 8 (Blanking) and PIN 10 (Sampled Common). .
Signal Type: DC
Level when Asserted: 3 to 5 Vdc
Level when Deasserted: 0 to 1 Vdc

blanking