BOGEN ANS501 Ambient Noise Sensor Instruction Manual

Ambient Noise Sensor
Model ANS501
Installation and Use Manual

Notice
Every effort was made to ensure that the information in this guide was complete and accurate at the time of printing.
However, information is subject to change.
Important Safety Information
WARNING: To Reduce The Risk of Fire Or Electric Shock, Do Not Expose This Apparatus To Rain Or Moisture.
Always follow these basic safety precautions when installing and using the unit:

1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6.  Clean only with a dry cloth.
7.  DO NOT block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturerʼs instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
10. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
11. 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.

Domestic and International
Listings UL and CSA Listed

IMPORTANT

CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION: TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

| The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the productʼs enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
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| The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

Description

The Bogen Model ANS501 Ambient Noise Sensor is designed to electronically adjust the level of a page announcement or background music in an area of a building where ambient noise levels are continuously changing. It ensures that page announcements or background music are intelligible even during periods of high ambient noise levels.
The ANS501 monitors the ambient noise level through the use of an ANS500M sensor microphone module. Each sensor microphone module includes an adjustable mounting base for precise positioning.
One microphone and one power supply are included with the ANS501. Additional microphones may be purchased separately. The control unit is capable of supporting up to four (4) microphones wired in parallel. Wire runs between the control unit and microphones consist of two-conductor cables and can reach 2,000 feet (with 20AWG wire) with no appreciable loss of signal strength.

Package Contents
1 – ANS501
1 – ANS500M Sensor Microphone
1 – Power Supply
1 – Instruction Manual

Features

• Maximum boost control
• Activity threshold control
• Ambient MIC input threshold control
• Balanced input/output
• Stereo unbalanced AUX inputs (summed mono)
• Compact sensor microphone (one included)
• Remote defeat connections
• Bi-color status indicator LED

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•  Gain ramp speed control
• Relative gain control
• Run/Set mode switch
• Unbalanced input/output
• AUX input level control
• AUX input bypasses gain control function
• Connect up to 4 sensor microphones for large area coverage
• Power indicator LED

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Panel Descriptions

1. Aux Input – Mono summing, stereo, unbalanced RCA inputs on the side panel.
2. AUX Level Control – Controls the AUX input level feed directly to the output.
3. Unbalanced Input – High-impedance unbalanced RCA input on the side panel.
4. Balanced Input – High-impedance electronically balanced input (pluggable screw terminal).
5. Sensor MIC Input – Input connections for ANS500M sensor microphone(s) (pluggable screw terminal).
6. Defeat Input – The effects of the ANS501 will be defeated when these terminals are shorted together (plug-gable screw terminal).
7. Balanced Output – Low-impedance electronically balanced output (pluggable screw terminal).
8. Unbalanced Output – Low-impedance unbalanced RCA output on the side panel.
9. Maximum Boost – Sets the maximum signal gain for the ANS501.
10. Ramp Speed – Sets the speed by which signal gain is increased/decreased once the ambient noise level is above/below the threshold.
11. Power Connection – Barrel-type power input connector on the side panel.
12. Power LED – Green LED illuminates when power is present.
13. Status LED – Bi-color LED illuminates when different thresholds are triggered to assist in setup.
14. Ambient Threshold Control – Sets the ambient noise threshold level.
15. Activity Threshold – Sets reference level of typical audio program material applied to the unit.
16. Mode Switch – Facilitates setup of the module settings.
17. Relative Gain Control – Sets the difference between the ambient noise level and page level that the ANS501 will attempt to maintain.

Sensor Microphone Connections

Sensor Microphone Wiring

• The ANS501 requires the connection of at least one sensor microphone for operation. To allow for better ambient noise sensing of large areas, up to 4 sensor microphones can be connected to a single ANS501.
• All microphones are wired in parallel matching the polarity markings on the sensor mic with the marking of the two MIC terminals on the ANS501.
• Wire runs between the control unit and microphones consist of two-conductor cables and can reach 2,000 feet (with 20AWG wire) with no appreciable loss of signal strength.

Wiring Details
ANS501 & Microphones

Wiring Multiple Microphones
Physical connections can be made using either Home Runs back to the ANS501 from each sensor mic or by daisy-chaining sensor mics, depending on the installation.
The maximum total wire length from any sensor mic to the ANS501 must be kept below 2000 ft.

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Operation

Front Panel Controls

AUX Level Control
| Controls the AUX input level, which is bussed directly to the output. Aux signal bypasses gain riding.
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Relative Gain Control
| Sets the relative amount of gain maintained above the ambient level. The range is 1 dB to 24 dB of gain.
Ramp Speed Control| Sets the speed by which gain is increased/decreased to the signal once the ambient noise level is above/below the threshold, from less than 1 dB/s (slow) to greater than 20 dB/s (fast).
Maximum Boost Control| Sets the maximum amount of gain. The range is 1 dB to 22 dB of gain.
Threshold Controls| The activity threshold is set just above the typical operating level of the program material applied to the gain processing stage of the ANS501. The ambient threshold adjusts the ambient noise input threshold from 64 dBspl to 112 dBspl.

Front Panel Switches and Indicators

Mode Switch| The Mode switch can be set to “Run” (for normal operation) or “Set”(for set up).
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Status LED| Bi-color LED illuminates when different thresholds are triggered to assist in setup.
Green indicates “+” gain. Amber indicates “-” gain.
Power LED| Green LED that illuminates when power is present.

Operation, cont.

Connections

Balanced Input| High-impedance, electronically balanced, pluggable screw terminal input. Signal gain responds to ambient noise changes.
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Unbalanced Input| High-impedance unbalanced RCA input. Signal gain responds to ambient noise changes.
Sensor MIC| Connections to ANS500M sensor microphone(s) are made here. The input is a pluggable screw terminal input.
Defeat Input| The effects of the ANS501 will be defeated when these terminals are shorted together.
The input is a pluggable screw terminal input.
Balanced Output| Low-impedance electronically balanced, pluggable screw terminal output. Signal gain responds to ambient noise changes.
Unbalanced Output| Low-impedance unbalanced RCA output. Signal gain responds to ambient noise changes.
AUX Input| Mono summing, stereo, unbalanced RCA inputs. This input bypasses the gain adjustment process of ANS501 and is fed directly to the output, via the AUX level control.

Module Setup

All inputs (balanced and unbalanced) into the ANS501, with the exception of the Aux input, will be affected by the automatic gain adjustments of the ANS501.
In audio systems that provide continuous background music, it may be desirable to have the background music stay at a fixed level but have all other source inputs (like a paging microphone) change level in response to the ambient noise level in an area. Background music is typically provided to make a venue seem less empty during slow periods or to help mask conversation during quiet times. It is often undesirable to have the background music level increase as ambient noise increases since it only adds to the overall noise in the area. The ANS501 provides an Aux input that bypasses the gain
adjustment process so that it does not change with ambient noise levels.

Bypass Mode
Background music bypasses the gain adjustment process. Refer to page 11 for illustration.
Start with all POTS turned fully clockwise (except AUX LEVEL, which should be fully counterclockwise).

| 1. Connect the background music source to the ANS501ʼs RCA Aux IN jacks.
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| 2. Set the background music to the desired operating level using the AUX LEVEL control.
| 3. Set MODE Switch to “SET” mode.
| 4. Set RELATIVE GAIN to the desired amount of signal gain you would like the balanced/unbalanced input to ride over the ambient level.
| 5. Set MAX BOOST to limit the maximum amount of signal gain for the whole system.
| 6. Adjust AMBIENT THRESHOLD until the STATUS LED starts flashing amber, then adjust ACTIVITY THRESHOLD until amber stops flashing.
| 7a. Using the chart and diagram on page 13, set the AMBIENT THRESHOLD to the dB SPL level where automatic increases to the system volume would be desired, then set the MODE Switch to the ʻRunʼ position. – or –
| 7b. If the live ambient noise level (while making these adjustments) is at the desired trip point, set the MODE Switch to the ʻRunʼ position, and then adjust the AMBIENT THRESHOLD control to a point where the STATUS LED flashes green.
| 8. Adjust RAMP SPEED to desired settings.
| 9. Test the systemʼs response to noise and, if necessary, set the ACTIVITY THRESHOLD control higher if the maximum signal level is not achieved. Tweaking adjustments to MAX BOOST, RELATIVE GAIN, and RAMP SPEED controls may also be necessary.

Module Setup, cont.

Normal Mode
All sources are affected by the gain adjustment process. The background music source will need to be routed through the main mixer inputs, which will be affected by the gain adjustment process. Refer to page 12 for illustration.
Start with all POTS turned fully clockwise (AUX IN is not used in this mode).

| 1. Set MODE Switch to “SET” mode.
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| 2. Set RELATIVE GAIN to the desired amount of signal gain you would like the balanced/unbalanced input to ride over the ambient level.
| 3. Set MAX BOOST to limit the maximum amount of signal gain for the whole system.
| 4. Adjust AMBIENT THRESHOLD until the STATUS LED starts flashing amber, then adjust ACTIVITY  THRESHOLD until amber stops flashing.
| 5a. Using the chart and diagram on page 13, set the AMBIENT THRESHOLD to the dB SPL level where automatic increases to the system volume would be desired, then set the MODE Switch to ʻRunʼ. – or –
| 5b. If the live ambient noise level (while making these adjustments) is at the desired trip point, set the MODE Switch to the ʻRunʼ position, and then adjust the AMBIENT THRESHOLD control to a point where the STATUS LED flashes green.
| 6. Adjust RAMP SPEED to desired settings.
| 7. Test the systemʼs response to noise and, if necessary, set the ACTIVITY THRESHOLD control higher if the maximum signal level is not achieved. Tweaking adjustments to MAX BOOST, RELATIVE GAIN, and RAMP SPEED controls may also be necessary.
|
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Normal Mode Illustration

Ambient Level Settings

Use this table to estimate the general dB SPL level of the areaʼs ambient noise if actual measurements are not available.

Typical Ambient Noise Level

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Typical Environments

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Very High Noise| 85-95 dB| Speech Almost Impossible| Construction Site
Machine Shop
Noisy Manufacturing
Printing Shop
High Noise| 75-85 dB| Speech is Difficult| Assembly Line
Supermarket
Transportation Waiting Room
Shipping/Warehouse
Medium Noise| 65-75 dB| Must Raise Voice to be Heard| Noisy Office
Restaurant
Department Store
Bank / Public Area
Low Noise| 55-65 dB| Speech is Easy| Doctor’s Office
Hotel Lobby
Hospital
Quiet Office

Specifications

Block Diagram

LIMITED WARRANTY; EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES

The Bogen ANS501 Ambient Noise Sensor is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for two (2) years from the date of sale to the original purchaser. Any part of the product covered by this warranty that, with normal instal­lation and use, becomes defective (as confirmed by Bogen upon inspection) during the applicable warranty period, will be repaired or replaced by Bogen, at Bogen’s option, provided the product is shipped insured and prepaid to Bogen Factory Service Department, 4570 Shelby Air Drive, Suite 11, Memphis, TN 38118 USA. Repaired or replacement product will be returned to you freight prepaid. This warranty does not extend to any of our products that have been subjected to abuse, misuse, improper storage, neglect, accident, improper installation, or have been modified or repaired or altered in any manner whatsoever, or where the serial number or date code has been removed or defaced.

THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY IS BOGEN’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY AND THE PURCHASER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. BOGEN MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED AND EXCLUDED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT ALLOWABLE BY LAW. Bogen’s liability aris­ing out of the manufacture, sale, or supplying of products or their use or disposition, whether based upon warranty, contract, tort, or otherwise, shall be limited to the price of the product. IN NO EVENT SHALL BOGEN BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA, OR LOSS OF USE DAMAGES) ARISING OUT OF THE MANUFACTURE, SALE, OR SUPPLYING OF PRODUCTS, EVEN IF BOGEN HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR LOSSES. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from State to State.

Products that are out of warranty will also be repaired by the Bogen Factory Service Department — the same address as above or call 201-934-8500. The parts and labor involved in these repairs are warranted for 90 days when repaired by the Bogen Factory Service Department. All shipping charges in addition to parts and labor charges will be at the owner’s expense. All returns require a Return Authorization number. For the most efficient warranty or repair service, please include a description of the failure.

COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
www.bogen.com
© 2003 Bogen Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
54-2096-01C 1503
11/2014

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