DBX ZC-3 Wall-Mounted Zone Controllers User Guide
- June 12, 2024
- dbx
Table of Contents
- DBX ZC-3 Wall-Mounted Zone Controllers
- IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
- DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
- Zone Controller Wiring
- Cable Spec: Cat5 Cable – 4-Twisted Pairs of 24AWG wire
- Zone Controller Compatibility Chart
- Specifications
- Dimensions
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- VIDEO – PRODUCT OVERVIEW
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
DBX ZC-3 Wall-Mounted Zone Controllers
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
The symbol shown to the left is an internationally accepted symbol that warns of potential hazards with electrical products. The exclamation point in an equilateral triangle indicates that it is necessary for the user to refer to the owner’s manual.
Do not open the unit. Do not attempt to service the unit yourself. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Opening the chassis for any reason will void the manufacturer’s warranty. Do not get the unit wet. If liquid is spilled on the unit, shut it off immediately and take it to a dealer for service.
The following is indicative of low altitude use; do not use this product above 2000m.
WARNING FOR YOUR PROTECTION READ THE FOLLOWING:
- READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
- KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
- HEED ALL WARNINGS.
- FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
- DO NOT USE THIS APPARATUS NEAR WATER.
- CLEAN ONLY WITH A DRY CLOTH.
- FOR INDOOR USE ONLY.
- DO NOT BLOCK ANY OF THE VENTILATION OPENINGS. INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
- MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.
- DO NOT INSTALL NEAR ANY HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS RADIATORS, HEAT REGISTERS, STOVES, OR
- OTHER APPARATUS (INCLUDING AMPLIFIERS) THAT PRODUCE HEAT.
- ONLY USE ATTACHMENTS/ACCESSORIES SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
- UNPLUG THIS APPARATUS DURING LIGHTNING STORMS OR WHEN UNUSED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
If you want to dispose of this product, do not mix it with general household waste. There is a separate collection system for used electronic products in accordance with legislation that requires proper treatment, recovery, and recycling.
Private households in the 25 member states of the EU, including Switzerland and Norway may return their used electronic products free of charge to designated collection facilities or to a retailer (if you purchase a similar new one). For Countries not mentioned above, please contact your local authorities for the correct method of disposal. By doing so you will ensure that your disposed product undergoes the necessary treatment, recovery, and recycling and thus prevent potential negative effects on the environment and human health.
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
- Manufacturer’s Name: dbx Professional Products
- Manufacturer’s Address: 10653 S. River Front Parkway, Suite 300 South Jordan, Utah 84095, USA
- declares that the product:
- Product name: dbx Zone Controllers Models 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9; FIRE and BOB
- Note: Product name may be suffixed by a combination of the letters EU, M, or V.
- Product option: None
- conforms to the following Product Specifications:
- Safety: IEC 60065 -01+Amd 1
- EMC:
- EN 55022: 2010 (N/A, analog product)
- EN 55013: 1990
- EN 55020: 1991
- FCC Part 15 (N/A, analog product)
- Supplementary Information:
- The product herewith complies with the requirements of the:
- Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU
- EMC Directive 2014/30/EU
- RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU
- WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU
- With regard to Directive 2005/32/EC and EC Regulation 1275/2008 of 17 December 2008, this product is designed, produced, and classified as Professional Audio Equipment and thus is exempt from this Directive.
- C. Rex Reed Director, Engineering Signal Processing 10653 S. River Front Parkway, Suite 300 South Jordan, Utah 84095, USA Date: August 15, 2016
- European Contact:
- Harman International Salisbury House London Wall EC2M 5QQ +44 207 562 9450 or Harman Professional Inc. 10653 S. River Front Parkway, Suite 300 South Jordan, Utah 84095, USA Ph: 801-566-8800 Fax: 801-568-7583
Zone Controller Wiring
The Zone Controllers, (ZC-1, ZC-2, ZC-3, ZC-4, ZC-6, ZC-7, ZC-8, ZC-9 and ZC- Fire) can be wired serially or in parallel. To wire in series, each Zone Controller must have an identification or zone number chosen using the DIP switches on the side of the controller (see diagram A). Each controller must have a unique number chosen — although there may be multiple Zone Controllers controlling a single zone, or a single Zone Controller that controls multiple outputs. The Zone Controllers can then be wired together and connected to the compatible device (e.g., DriveRack® 220i, 260, ZonePRO™, etc.) (see diagram B).
The Zone Controllers may also be wired in parallel with the use of the ZC-BOB. To wire in parallel (home run cabling), each controller must have a unique identification or number chosen using the DIP switches on the rear of the panel (see diagram A). To wire in parallel, each controller must be wired into a port of the ZC-BOB with a connecting wire going to the controlled device (see diagram C). Diagram D shows the typical wiring for ZC-4 Euroblock connections in which the installer needs to use SPDT (single-pole, double- throw) switches with one side being connected to 5 volts (+VREF) and the other side to ground (GND). Diagram E shows the proper way to interface the ZC-Fire to the fire alarm system. Use only the relay/switch closure or the 5-24V DC inputs. Do not use both inputs at the same time. For information regarding ZC setup, please see the respective manual for the device that you are setting up.
Diagram A
Diagram B
Diagram C
Diagram D
ZC-4 Binary Appnotes
SW4| SW3| SW2| SW1| Hex| Setting
0| 0| 0| 0| 0| 0
0| 0| 0| 1| 1| 1
0| 0| 1| 0| 2| 2
0| 0| 1| 1| 3| 3
0| 1| 0| 0| 4| 4
0| 1| 0| 1| 5| 5
0| 1| 1| 0| 6| 6
0| 1| 1| 1| 7| 7
1| 0| 0| 0| 8| 8
1| 0| 0| 1| 9| 9
1| 0| 1| 0| A| 10
1| 0| 1| 1| B| 11
1| 1| 0| 0| C| 12
1| 1| 0| 1| D| 13
1| 1| 1| 0| E| 14
1| 1| 1| 1| F| 15
Switches SW1-SW4 correspond to switch inputs 1-4 on the ZC-4’s EuroBlock connector. Each switch connected to the ZC-4 must be a Single-Pole Double- Throw (SPDT). One pole of each switch should be connected to the ground reference on the ZC-4’s EuroBlock connector while the other pole should be connected to the +V reference. Because there are four switch inputs, there are 16 possible switch combinations. In the chart above, a “0” corresponds to a switch connected to the ground reference; a “1” corresponds to the switch being connected to the +V reference. None of the poles should be left hanging but should either be connected to +V or ground.
Diagram E
Zone Controller Maximum Cable Length
Note – The following cable lengths were achieved using Cat5 Enhanced cable exhibiting a maximum D.C. resistance of 29 Ohms per 1,000 feet. When connecting Zone Controllers in series, the following cable length restrictions apply:
- As shown in Diagram F, and (3) Zone Controllers may be wired in series as long as the total cable length does not exceed 600 feet.
- Any (6) Zone Controllers may be wired in series as long as the total cable length does not exceed 300 feet. Refer to Diagram G.
- Cable runs of up to 1,000 feet may be achieved using “Home Run” wiring. An example of this is shown in Diagram H. A dbx Zone Controller Break Out Box (dbx ZC-BOB) is used to parallel several cable runs. It should be noted that a 1,000-foot cable with a single Zone Controller may be connected directly to the controlled device.
Note – Daisy chaining Zone Controllers to a ZC-BOB (connecting them serially) is not supported or recommended.
Diagram F
Diagram G
Diagram H
Cable Spec: Cat5 Cable – 4-Twisted Pairs of 24AWG wire
Zone Controller Compatibility Chart
Safety Warning
The installation of the Zone Controllers MUST be accomplished with the use of cable which is rated VW-1 or higher. Common NEC designations which meet this rating include: CMP, CMR, CMG, CM and CMX.
Specifications
- Connections:
- ZC-1, ZC-2, ZC-3, ZC-6, ZC-7, ZC-8 and ZC-9
- Connectors: (2) RJ-45 ZC-4
- Connectors: (2) RJ-45, (1) 6-Pin Phoenix
- ZC-BOB Connectors: (7) RJ-45
- ZC-Fire Connectors: (2) RJ-45, (2) 2-Pin Phoenix
- Wiring: Maximum cable length depends on number of Zone Controllers and wiring schematic.
- Series Wiring: Maximum cable length varies with number of Zone Controllers. For example, three Zone Controllers: 600 ft., six Zone Controllers: 300 ft.
- Parallel Wiring: Using a ZC-BOB: Up to six Zone Controllers: 1000 ft.
- Cable: CAT5 or CAT5E with <28.6 Ohm/M (Ohm/1000 ft.) nominal DCR and rated VW-1 or higher.
- Safety Agency Approvals: UL 60065-07, IEC 60065, EN 55013
- Shipping Weight: .7 lb.
Dimensions
- ZC-1, ZC-2, ZC-3, ZC-6, ZC-7
- ZC-8 and ZC-9
- ZC-4, ZC-BOB and ZC-Fire
- ZC-1, ZC-2, ZC-3, ZC-6, ZC-7, ZC-8 and ZC-9 EU Models
- Phone: 801-566-8800
- Website: dbxpro.com
- Support: dbxpro.com/en-US/support
ZC Series User Guide
PN: 5081469-A dbx Professional Products is a registered trademark of HARMAN © 2016 HARMAN All rights reserved
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a DBX ZC-3 Wall-Mounted Zone Controller?
The DBX ZC-3 is a wall-mounted zone controller designed to provide remote control over audio distribution systems.
What are the key features of the DBX ZC-3?
The DBX ZC-3 features volume control, source selection, and mute functionality for specific zones in an audio system.
How many zones can the DBX ZC-3 control?
The DBX ZC-3 can control up to three different zones in an audio distribution system.
Is the DBX ZC-3 compatible with DBX audio processors?
Yes, the DBX ZC-3 is designed to work seamlessly with DBX audio processors and amplifiers.
How is the DBX ZC-3 powered?
The DBX ZC-3 is powered over a standard CAT5 cable through a compatible DBX audio processor or hub.
Can the DBX ZC-3 be flush-mounted in a wall?
Yes, the DBX ZC-3 comes with a flush-mount wall plate for installation.
What type of connector does the DBX ZC-3 use for communication?
The DBX ZC-3 uses an RJ-45 connector for communication with DBX audio processors.
Is the DBX ZC-3 compatible with other audio brands?
The DBX ZC-3 is primarily designed for use with DBX audio processors and may not be compatible with other brands.
Can multiple DBX ZC-3 controllers be used in a single audio system?
Yes, multiple DBX ZC-3 controllers can be installed in different zones of the same audio system.
Does the DBX ZC-3 support remote wall-mounted displays?
Yes, the DBX ZC-3 is compatible with DBX ZC-RS Remote Source Selectors for remote source indication.
Are there any programming options for customizing the DBX ZC-3's behavior?
Yes, the DBX ZC-3 can be customized and programmed to suit specific audio system requirements.
Can the DBX ZC-3 be used in both residential and commercial audio setups?
Yes, the DBX ZC-3 is suitable for both residential and commercial audio distribution applications.
Is the DBX ZC-3 easy to install?
Yes, the DBX ZC-3 is designed for straightforward installation in walls or podiums.
Does the DBX ZC-3 have backlighting for use in low-light environments?
Yes, the DBX ZC-3 features a blue backlight for enhanced visibility in dimly lit areas.
VIDEO – PRODUCT OVERVIEW
DOWNLOAD THE PDF LINK: DBX ZC-3 Wall-Mounted Zone Controllers User Guide