Pro-Music-News Installed Sound

Lab.gruppen's energy-efficient E Series amplifiers for installations

At PLASA 2011 in London, Lab.gruppen launch an innovative 1U power amplifier range developed specifically for the installation market. Lab.gruppen’s compact and efficient E Series of power amplifiers offers traditional Lab.gruppen performance to a market highly concerned with spiralling global energy prices and environmental pressures. The E Series provides ample power reserves with low power consumption, reducing the total cost of ownership below that of conventional designs. E Series utilizes much of the unique design philosophy and energy-efficient concepts debuted in the Swedish company’s flagship PLM 20000Q touring amplifier, but here deployed in a 1U, install-centric platform.
The E Series comprises three two-channel power amplifiers, all incorporating Lab.gruppen’s IDEEA (IntelliDrive Energy Efficient Amplifier) technologies. All are housed in 1U cabinets, weigh less than 5 kg (11 pounds), and feature universal power supplies for operation anywhere in the world. Nominal output power ratings per channel (at 4 ohms or 70 V) are 600 W, 400 W, and 200 W for, respectively, the E 12:2, E 8:2, and E 4:2. However, significantly higher per-channel outputs are possible with asymmetrical loading and proper setting of Lab.gruppen’s proprietary Rail Sensing Limiter (RSL).
Certified as Energy Star 2.1 compliant, E Series power amplifiers are efficient both in terms of net operating efficiency and typical current draw. In this respect, the power-to-current-draw ratio for burst signals with 1/8th average power is 400 W output for 1 A of line current at 120 V mains. Reduced power consumption in both operational and non-operational cycles results in lower long-term cost of ownership. Control via third-party systems is enabled via GPIO, and build quality is robust in the Lab.gruppen tradition.
“E Series offers the Lab.gruppen hallmarks of reliability, performance and ease of use at a much more accessible price point for the install market,” said Klas Dalbjorn, Product Research Manager for Lab.gruppen. “The energy efficient performance made possible by our new IDEEA technologies means that overall cost of ownership, including lifetime energy consumption, is considerably lower than other products aimed at this market, providing contractors with real, bottom line benefits to their customers and client base.”
E Series incorporates a number of brand new technological developments from Lab.gruppen, including Rail Sensing Limiter (RSL), a two position switch to allow selection of either Hi-Z (100 V all models) or Lo-Z (40 V – 69.3 V model dependent) as output thresholds. The RSL switch circuit senses rail voltage and optimizes output for instantaneous load conditions. It also allows for continued operation with fluctuating mains down to below 60 V AC. RSL setting also configures outputs for asymmetric loading. This is designed to make E Series extremely flexible for systems designers, allowing a single 1U device to fulfil multiple roles in a system.
A High Headroom Universal Power Supply allows for a higher storage capacity,preventing excessive draw on the mains inlet during repeated peak bursts and maintaining extra headroom on the rails for longer sustained maximum power output. The Patented Class D Output Stage is inherently bridged using proprietary topology, allowing up to double rated output on one channel when no load is connected to the other channel.
E Series is Energy Star 2.1 compliant, the first ‘professional-grade’ amplifier capable of these output levels to be so certified. This is an important advantage for installations where energy efficiency standards are critical, such as government and local authority tenders. Each model features an automatic power scheme, which means it turns on with signal present and goes into standby mode automatically after 20 minutes of no signal. GPIO facilitates power on/off state via third-party control systems.
E Series' features also include Inputs and outputs on detachable Phoenix-type screw terminals and 35 Hz high-pass filter, switchable per channel.
Lab.gruppen E Series
The E Series amplifiers were also highlighted at ISE 2012 in Amsterdam and at Prolight+Sound Show 2012 in Frankfurt, Germany.
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