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It may seem like a trivial task, but wiring up audio rack cabinets can be done in a manner to maximize the performance of the system. Here are some tips to keep in mind for minimizing noise and crosstalk..
1. Bundle all AC Power Inlet cables together and keep the bundle(s) as far away from low - level coaxial cable as possible.
2. The power amplifier(s) should be mounted as low in the rack as possible.
3. Power Amplifier Output cables should be kept together in bundles and away from all other signal cables and low level signal devices.
4. Line and Mic level cables should be of the balanced configuration whenever possible and bundled. They should be kept as far away from AC Power and Power Amplifier Output cables as possible.
5. When low level signal cables must cross power cables or Power Amplifier Output cables, they should be crossed at 90 degrees. Never bundle AC Power, Power, and/or signal cables together. Keep signal cables as far away from AC Power inlet cables as well as Power Amplifier Output cables.
6. Never use the rack itself as a circuit "common" as this will likely create ground loops and therefore hum or system oscillation.
7. Twist Power Amplifier output cables together to minimize "H" field induction of said Power Amp fields from interfering with other electronics in the rack.
8. Use a single point grounding scheme within the rack and locate said point near the power inlet. Signal cables should not share grounding with any other components in the system other than the component being driven by said coaxial cable.
9. Minimize cable run lengths.
10. Avoid running signal coaxial cables parallel with AC Power and / or Power Amplifier output cables.
11. Avoid running signal coaxial cables close to large power transformers as found in high-power power amplifiers.
12. On very large systems in which the loudspeaker arrays are self-powered, the signal processing rack should be run from an isolation power transformer to minimize hum and cross talk.
13. Alternatively, a large venue powered speaker array can be isolated from the grounding system of the signal processing rack via the use of a !:1 audio signal transformer which will break the ground loop that may be created between the speaker array power amplifiers and the signal processing rack.
14. Be sure that the total CFM (Cubic Feet / Minute) needed by the power amplifiers are being met to avoid premature thermal shutdowns.
15. Be sure that the mains feeding the power amplifiers have adequate total ampacity to avoid shutdowns.
Craig
1. Bundle all AC Power Inlet cables together and keep the bundle(s) as far away from low - level coaxial cable as possible.
2. The power amplifier(s) should be mounted as low in the rack as possible.
3. Power Amplifier Output cables should be kept together in bundles and away from all other signal cables and low level signal devices.
4. Line and Mic level cables should be of the balanced configuration whenever possible and bundled. They should be kept as far away from AC Power and Power Amplifier Output cables as possible.
5. When low level signal cables must cross power cables or Power Amplifier Output cables, they should be crossed at 90 degrees. Never bundle AC Power, Power, and/or signal cables together. Keep signal cables as far away from AC Power inlet cables as well as Power Amplifier Output cables.
6. Never use the rack itself as a circuit "common" as this will likely create ground loops and therefore hum or system oscillation.
7. Twist Power Amplifier output cables together to minimize "H" field induction of said Power Amp fields from interfering with other electronics in the rack.
8. Use a single point grounding scheme within the rack and locate said point near the power inlet. Signal cables should not share grounding with any other components in the system other than the component being driven by said coaxial cable.
9. Minimize cable run lengths.
10. Avoid running signal coaxial cables parallel with AC Power and / or Power Amplifier output cables.
11. Avoid running signal coaxial cables close to large power transformers as found in high-power power amplifiers.
12. On very large systems in which the loudspeaker arrays are self-powered, the signal processing rack should be run from an isolation power transformer to minimize hum and cross talk.
13. Alternatively, a large venue powered speaker array can be isolated from the grounding system of the signal processing rack via the use of a !:1 audio signal transformer which will break the ground loop that may be created between the speaker array power amplifiers and the signal processing rack.
14. Be sure that the total CFM (Cubic Feet / Minute) needed by the power amplifiers are being met to avoid premature thermal shutdowns.
15. Be sure that the mains feeding the power amplifiers have adequate total ampacity to avoid shutdowns.
Craig