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SYSTEM/AUDIO-VISUAL SPEAKER
PLACEMENT AND WIRING GUIDELINES
Bob Hertling
Supervising Communications Engineer
RCDD, OSP
RI Telecommunications Systems Contractor License
#4848
PARSONS
1
Overview
WHAT THIS PRESENTATION IS
A general discussion of basic concepts and key
concerns related to system design and
installation.
2
Topics of Discussion
A. Importance of correct
spacing/location
B. Basic speaker characteristics
C. Acoustic considerations
D. Determining coverage areas
E. Speaker layouts
F. Electrical considerations
3
A. Importance of Correct
Spacing/Location
7
B. Basic Speaker Characteristics
(cont.)
Typical coaxial cone speaker components:
5. Spider connects the diaphragm to the frame and to the pole piece
for stability while still allowing movement required to produce
sound.
8
B. Basic Speaker Characteristics
(cont.)
Typical coaxial cone speaker
9
B. Basic Speaker Characteristics
(cont.)
Typical horn speaker components:
10
B. Basic Speaker Characteristics
(cont.)
Typical horn speaker components (continued):
5. Spider connects the diaphragm to the frame and the horn and to
the pole piece for stability while still allowing movement required to
produce sound.
11
B. Basic Speaker Characteristics
(cont.)
Typical Horn Speaker
12
B. Basic Speaker Characteristics
(cont.)
The following acoustical parameters are important
considerations in speaker selection and
spacing/location:
13
B. Basic Speaker Characteristics
(cont.)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SPL:
14
B. Basic Speaker Characteristics
(cont.)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SPL (continued):
d. SPL represents sound energy intensity commonly
referred to as loudness.
e. An increase of 10 dB SPL is perceived by a typical
listener as doubling the volume of the sound.
f. SPL is an acoustical/mechanical measurement, NOT
an electrical measurement !
15
B. Basic Speaker Characteristics
(cont.)
3. Dispersion angle measured in degrees.
16
B. Basic Speaker Characteristics
(cont.)
4. Frequency Response range of audio
frequencies which the speaker can faithfully
reproduce.
17
B. Basic Speaker Characteristics
(cont.)
18
B. Basic Speaker Characteristics
(cont.)
19
C. Acoustic Considerations
Acoustic considerations for speaker
spacing/location include:
21
D. Determining Coverage Areas
1. Obtain space measurements and prepare plan and
elevation views.
22
D. Determining Coverage Areas
(cont.)
5. Calculate the base coverage area for an individual speaker based on the
manufacturers specifications.
1 watt input
1 meter SPEAKER
97 dB SPL
ELEVATION VIEW
PLAN VIEW 23
D. Determining Coverage Areas
(cont.)
6. Once the speakers base coverage area has been determined, the next
step is to include the following measurements into the calculations to
determine the location specific coverage area:
a. 12-foot ceiling height from the floor and 5-foot listener ear height.
b. If the reference input electrical power for the initial SPL calculation
is doubled, the SPL will increase by 3 dB. (e.g. base coverage area
SPL at 1 meter is 97 dB at 1 watt, at 1 meter the SPL will be 100 dB
at 2 watts.)
c. For this example, the measured ambient noise at within the area to
be covered ranges from 55 to 60 dB SPL.
d. The SPL at listener ear height should be 15-20 dB above the ambient
noise level.
25
D. Determining Coverage Areas
(cont.)
9. Calculate the location specific coverage area for an individual speaker
using data from items 1-3.
1 watt input
2 meters SPEAKER
(6.6 ft)
91 dB SPL
ELEVATION VIEW
PLAN VIEW 26
D. Determining Coverage Areas
(cont.)
10. Review the calculations:
27
D. Determining Coverage Areas
(cont.)
c. If no, there are additional steps which must be
taken before proceeding with the layout:
28
D. Determining Coverage Areas
(cont.)
29
E. Speaker Layouts
1. Square
2. Hexagonal
30
E. Speaker Layouts (cont.)
1. Square pattern
31
E. Speaker Layouts (cont.)
2. Hexagonal pattern
32
E. Speaker Layouts (cont.)
33
E. Speaker Layouts (cont.)
1. Edge-to-edge
2. Minimum overlap
3. Edge-to-center
34
E. Speaker Layouts (cont.)
1. Edge-to-Edge Spacing
SPEAKER SPEAKER
35
E. Speaker Layouts (cont.)
The spacing distance is equal to 2r (r = radius of the
coverage area).
36
E. Speaker Layouts (cont.)
2. Minimum Overlap Spacing
SPEAKER SPEAKER
37
E. Speaker Layouts (cont.)
38
E. Speaker Layouts (cont.)
39
E. Speaker Layouts (cont.)
3. Edge-to-Center Spacing
SPEAKER SPEAKER
40
E. Speaker Layouts (cont.)
The spacing distance is equal to r.
Requires additional quantity of speakers than
both the minimum overlap and edge-to edge
spacing methodologies.
It utilizes the highest speaker density commonly
used for PA/Paging systems.
It is the best methodology for areas with poor
acoustics or significant background noise.
41
F. Electrical Considerations
Once the speaker spacing and location issues have
been addressed in the design, the next step is
determining the electrical requirements and
constraints.
1. For systems using a VoIP/Ethernet-based
distribution methodology, these factors can
include:
Horizontal cabling length limits (100 meters/295
feet) per the TIA standards.
Powering availability (Power over Ethernet limits
and/or availability of local 120VAC power).
42
F. Electrical Considerations (cont.)
2. For systems using a constant voltage
distribution methodology, these factors can
include:
Total audio power requirements.
Amplifier loading.
43
F. Electrical Considerations (cont.)
44
F. Electrical Considerations (cont.)
45
F. Electrical Considerations (cont.)
d. Matching transformers can be purchased with
taps as low as watt up to values as high as 15
watts and with various levels in between.
46
F. Electrical Considerations (cont.)
47
F. Electrical Considerations (cont.)
Audio Circuit Configuration
a. Determine the number of circuits required to
connect the speakers to the amplifiers.
48
F. Electrical Considerations (cont.)
(2) Assign speakers to each circuit. This is best
done by utilizing one-line and/or riser diagrams
with each speaker uniquely identified to its
location on the plan and elevation drawings.
49
F. Electrical Considerations (cont.)
Audio Circuit Sizing
Amplifier Loading
52
F. Electrical Considerations (cont.)
CODE AND AHJ CONSIDERATIONS
1. In all cases, system wiring must comply with all
applicable codes and standards !
53
F. Electrical Considerations (cont.)
CODE AND AHJ CONSIDERATIONS (CONT.)
Question
Are these NEC Articles relevant to your
system implementation, regardless of
whether it utilizes a VoIP/Ethernet
architecture or a constant voltage
distribution methodology ?
Answer
IT DEPENDS ON THE AHJs INTERPRETATION !!
54
F. Electrical Considerations (cont.)
CODE AND AHJ CONSIDERATIONS (CONT.)
Reasons
The NEC currently does not differentiate between the two types of
systems.
Article 640 does allow the use of Class 2 or Class 3 power-limited wiring as
defined in Article 725, provided the amplifier assemblies are listed and
marked for use with Class 2 or Class 3 power-limited wiring This is typical
for amplifier assemblies having output power no greater than 100 watts,
in order to meet the supplied power limits defined in Article 725.
Article 725 specifically does NOT allow audio circuits using Class 2 or Class
3 power-limited wiring to occupy the same cable or raceway as other Class
2 or Class 3 power-limited circuits.
55
F. Electrical Considerations (cont.)
CODE AND AHJ CONSIDERATIONS (CONT.)
Reasons (cont.)
Many AHJs also prohibit audio circuits using Class 2 or
Class 3 power-limited wiring from occupying the same
cable or raceway with Communications circuits as defined
in Article 800.
Result
These systems may be required to utilize cabling and
pathways that are partially or totally independent of other
ICT cabling and infrastructure within a premise !
56
Useful References and Organizations
Sound System Engineering by Don and Carolyn Davis, 1984, Howard W.
Sams
InfoComm
www.infocomm.org
57
Questions ?
Contact Information:
Phone:
401 - 439 0335 (cell)
E-Mail:
bhertling@bicsi.org
Robert.Hertling@parsons.com
THANK YOU !
58