Niles Audio Switch MVC100 User Manual

I N S T A L L A T I O N G U I D E  
HIGH-POWER MUTING STEREO VOLUME CONTROL  
 
MVC
100
MVC
100R  
INTRODUCTION  
The MVC 100 is a high power, muting stereo speaker volume control that connects between the speaker-level output of an  
amplifier, speaker selector, or a Niles VCS HUB4 distribution hub and a pair of speakers.  
A perfect application for the MVC 100 is adjusting the volume of, or muting and unmuting remotely located speakers.  
The MVC 100 adjusts the volume of speakers connected to it by attenuating the amplifier signal. To assure minimal  
dissipation of internal power with  
virtually no power wasted as heat, Niles volume controls use autoformers instead of L-pads as the volume-  
controlling element.  
The MVC 100 is an impedance-magnifying (IM) volume control. Unlike other brands, it has additional autoformer windings  
that magnify the impedance of connected speakers, while allowing all 12 steps to adjust the volume of the sound. Switches  
on the PC board select these windings.  
With the volume control providing impedance protection for your amplifier, you can create systems with no additional  
impedance-matching devices between the volume control and the amplifier.  
In a typical application of IM controls, a system has eight pairs of 8-ohm speakers throughout the house and in outdoor loca-  
tions. Connect each pair of speakers to an MVC 100/R volume control with its switch in the 8x position, eliminating the need  
for an external impedance-matching device to protect the amplifier. Even when playing all eight speaker pairs at once, the  
amplifier runs at normal operating temperatures.  
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FEATURES AND BENEFITS  
The MVC 100 offers a number of improvements over other volume controls:  
Interchangeable Decora-style inserts for fast, easy color change. Inserts and knobs (sold separately) are available  
in a variety of colors.  
A universal impedance-magnifying design enables the MVC 100 to act as both a stereo and an impedance mag-  
nifying volume control. You can magnify the speakers’ impedance by a factor of two, four, or eight.  
Unlike other impedance-matching volume-control products, Niles IM volume controls maintain a 12-position  
adjustment regardless of how much impedance magnification you use, with total attenuation >48dB.  
Pop-free switching between all steps.  
Precision autoformers provide superior sonic performance, exceeding the audio quality of non-impedance magni-  
fying volume controls.  
Isolated left and right-channel grounds ensure safety with any amplifier.  
May be used with 4-, 6-, or 8-ohm speaker systems.  
Automuting fuction enabled by 12VDC.  
Programmable to turn on with muting engaged or disabled.  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
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FEATURES AND BENEFITS (CONTINUED)  
Ideal for home and commercial sound installations.  
UL rated to comply with all local building codes.  
Available colors: almond, black, bone, brown, and white.  
Installation requires only a screwdriver and wire stripper.  
Mounting depth of only 2-9/16". Fits into standard 18-cubic-inch one-gang junction boxes.  
Power handling: 100W/channel RMS.  
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz ±2dB.  
Ten years parts and labor warranty.  
NOTE: SOME SPEAKERS HAVE SELECTABLE IMPEDANCE. BEFORE YOU PROCEED, PLEASE CONFIRM THAT ANY  
SELECTABLE-IMPEDANCE SPEAKERS IN YOUR SYSTEM ARE PROPERLY SET FOR THE SYSTEM YOU ARE INSTALLING.  
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS  
CALCULATING THE IMPEDANCE MAGNIFICATION SETTING  
Use the following instructions and the accompanying charts to select the correct switch setting for the number and type of  
speakers in your system.  
CAUTION! EVERY SPEAKER PAIR IN THE SYSTEM MUST BE CONNECTED TO AN IMPEDANCE-MAGNIFYING VOLUME  
CONTROL AND SET TO THE SAME MAGNIFICATION.  
1. Count the number of pairs of 4-ohm speakers and the number of pairs of 8-ohm speakers you are connectin Count  
pairs of 6-ohm speakers as 4-ohm pairs.  
2. Determine whether the amplifier should see a 4-ohm load or an 8-ohm load. This information is typically found in  
the owner’s manual of the amplifier.  
3. Read the correct switch position from the charts on page 7. See Figure 4 if your amplifier can drive a 4-ohm load.  
See Figure 5 if your amplifier must have an 8-ohm speaker load.  
4. Set the switches on all of the controls to the same position (1x, 2x, 4x, or 8x). See Figure 7.INSTALLATION  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
 
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS (CONTINUED)  
LIMITATIONS IN VOLUME WITH HIGH MAGNIFICATION SETTINGS  
Using an 8x setting limits the power to each speaker pair to one-eighth of the amplifier’s output.  
In a typical application of IM volume controls, a system has eight pairs of 8-ohm speakers throughout the house and in  
adjacent outdoor locations. Each pair of speakers is connected to an IM volume control with its switches set for 8x.  
With eight pairs of speakers, one-eighth of the amplifier’s power is available to any pair. Therefore, an amplifier rated at  
100W per channel RMS into 8 ohms will deliver up to 12.5W to each of the eight pairs – whether you play all eight pairs or  
just one pair. This translates into a drop in the maximum volume capability of about 9dB at the 8x setting.  
TOOLS REQUIRED  
1/8" Standard Slotted Screwdriver  
1/4" Standard Slotted Screwdriver  
Wire Stripper  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS (CONTINUED)  
USING SPEAKER SELECTORS WITH IM VOLUME CONTROLS  
Although IM controls provide volume and on/off at the volume-control location, they do not give you central control of speak-  
ers playing throughout the house.  
Speaker-selection systems give you central control, but some speaker selectors have non-defeatable impedance-protection  
circuits. Combining IM controls with such a selector will reduce your maximum volume substantially. To solve this problem,  
specify a speaker selector with a defeatable protection circuit (Niles models HPS4, HPS6, SS-4, or SS-6). Keep the protection  
circuit off at all times.  
JUNCTION BOXES  
The mounting depth of the MVC 100 is 2-9/16". When installed, the unit extends 2-1/16" behind the sheetrock wall  
(assuming 1/2" sheetrock). For installation, use a standard 18-cubic-inch (or larger) junction box. Suitable junction boxes  
are available from your Niles dealer or local electrical-supply company.  
TYPE OF SPEAKER WIRE  
We recommend 16-gauge stranded copper speaker wire for most connections, and 14-gauge wire for runs longer than 80  
feet. Don’t use speaker wire larger than 14 gauge, because larger wire may not fit into the connectors. Never use solid-core,  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
 
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS (CONTINUED)  
TYPE OF SPEAKER WIRE (CONTINUED)  
aluminum, or Romex wire with an IM volume control. For speaker-wire runs within walls, most U.S. states and municipalities  
require a special type of speaker wire with a specific CL fire rating, such as CL-2 or CL-3. Consult your Niles dealer, building  
contractor, or local building-inspection department if you aren’t sure what kind of wire is best for your application.  
TECH TIP  
Wire size is expressed by its AWG (American Wire Gauge)  
number – the lower the number, the larger the wire. For  
example, 12 AWG is physically larger than 14 AWG.  
MOUNTING LOCATIONS  
Some states or municipalities allow installation of devices such as Niles speaker volume controls in the same junction box  
as 110V devices, with a low-voltage partition between the devices. We do not recommend this, because speaker wires can  
act as an antenna for electrical noise. Locating speaker wires too close to a light switch or dimmer may cause the speakers  
to emit a popping or buzzing sound. If you must locate the volume control near electrical devices, install it in a separate  
metal junction box, ground the box to the electrical-system ground, and route the speaker wires several feet away from the  
electrical wiring.  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS (CONTINUED)  
CONVENIENT MOUNTING LOCATIONS INCLUDE:  
Near doorways.  
Near a desk.  
At your bedside.  
Close to a telephone.  
Near other wall-mounted controls.  
DECORA® FACEPLATES  
The MVC 100 is designed to use standard and Decora-style faceplate mounting hardware. You can combine multiple Decora-  
style modules (if all are low-voltage controls) within one Decora faceplate (up to six-gang) with color-matched plate screws.  
Decora plates and screws are available from your Niles dealer.  
CHANGING THE COLOR OF THE KNOB AND THE DECORA INSERT  
The Decora-style insert and knob on the MVC 100 is removable, allowing fast and easy color changes as needed. Inserts and  
knobs are available in a variety of colors. To change the color of your unit:  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
 
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS (CONTINUED)  
CHANGING THE COLOR OF THE KNOB AND THE DECORA INSERT (CONTINUED)  
1. Obtain the appropriate knob and Decora-style insert in the desired color from your Niles dealer.  
2. Pull the knob off the shaft. See Figure 1  
3. Next, locate the two plastic mounting tabs at the top rear of the Decora-style insert. Using two fingers,  
simultaneously press both tabs down (towards the center of the insert) and forward (away from you) until the  
insert pops free from its mounting slots.  
4. Locate the new Decora-style insert. Hold the  
volume control facing you. Insert the two bottom  
tabs into the bottom slots first, then the two tabs  
on the top (see Figure 2). Press carefully on the  
front of the insert to snap it into place.  
Figure 1  
Figure 2  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS (CONTINUED)  
CHANGING THE COLOR OF THE KNOB AND THE DECORA INSERT (CONTINUED)  
5. Locate the new knob. Align its flat side to the flat side of the shaft, and push the knob onto the shaft. Holding the  
unit as shown in Figure 1, check the alignment of the knob by turning it through all positions.  
PREPARING FOR INSTALLATION  
NOTE: THE WMVC 100 AND WMV 100E REQUIRE 12VDC POWER TO OPERATE THE MUTING FUNCTION OF THE VOLUME  
CONTROL. THEREFORE, TWO CONDUCTOR POWER WIRE MUST BE RUN TO EACH VOLUME CONTROL LOCATION ALONG  
WITH FOUR CONDUCTOR SPEAKER WIRE.  
Before you install the MVC 100 into an existing wall, consider the possibility of hidden obstructions inside the wall, such as  
wood and metal studs; electrical, telephone, or other wiring; plumbing; conduit; and old wall safes.  
1. Install the junction box in the usual manner.  
2. Run all necessary wiring to the volume control. Label the wires for future reference.  
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INSTALLATION  
1. Locate the 4 pin speaker connector plugs (and remove them if they are plugged in).  
2. Strip 1/4" of insulation from the end of each wire. Tightly twist the end of each wire until no frayed ends remain.  
3. Use a small flathead screwdriver or your thumbnail to raise the locking tabs, exposing the holes on the removable  
connector plug.  
4. Insert each wire into the appropriate hole on the removable connector plug, and snap the locking tab down.  
NOTE: MAINTAIN PROPER PHASING. CONNECT THE POSITIVE TERMINALS ON THE VOLUME CONTROL TO THE POSITIVE  
TERMINALS ON THE AMPLIFIER AND SPEAKERS, AND CONNECT THE NEGATIVE TERMINALS ON THE VOLUME CONTROL  
TO THE NEGATIVE TERMINALS ON THE AMPLIFIER AND SPEAKERS. SEE FIGURE 3. TO HELP YOU AVOID IMPROPER  
PHASING, THE CONNECTOR PLUG IS KEYED. INSERT THE SMOOTH SIDE OF THE CONNECTOR PLUG INTO THE SMOOTH  
SIDE OF THE SOCKET. DON’T FORCE THE SCALLOPED SIDE OF THE CONNECTOR PLUG INTO THE SMOOTH SIDE OF THE  
SOCKET. SEE FIGURE 6.  
5. Locate the 2 pin voltage connector (see Figure 8). Strip 1/4" of insulation from the end of each wire. Tightly  
twist the end of each wire until no frayed ends remain and insert each wire into the appropriate hole on the  
connector. Use a small flathead screwdriver to tighten the screws in place. Maintain correct polarity when  
making connections.  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
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INSTALLATION (CONTINUED)  
Receiver  
12VDC  
MVC HUB4  
Speakers  
Figure 3. Wiring Diagram  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
 
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INSTALLATION (CONTINUED)  
AMPLIFIER’S MINIMUM SPEAKER LOAD IS 4 OHMS  
8 OHM Speaker Pairs  
AMPLIFIER’SMINIMUM SPEAKER  
LOAD IS8OHMS  
8 OHM Speaker Pairs  
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16  
0
1
2x  
4x  
4x  
1x  
2x  
4x  
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1x  
2x  
2x  
4 OHM  
Speaker  
4x  
Pairs23  
8x  
8x  
8x  
4 OHM  
Speaker  
Pairs  
4
Figure 4  
Figure 5  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
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INSTALLATION (CONTINUED)  
Figure 6  
Figure 7  
Figure 8  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
 
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INSTALLATION (CONTINUED)  
6. Set the Impedance Magnification Switch (See Figure 7) as determined by the IM charts (Figures 4 and 5).  
7. Plug the connectors into the volume control as shown in Figure 6. The inputs of the IM volume control are the  
connector pins labeled AMPLIFIER. The outputs are the connector pins labeled SPEAKERS.  
NOTE: IF YOU REVERSE THESE CONNECTIONS, THE VOLUME CONTROL WON’T  
FUNCTION PROPERLY.  
8. Connect the 2 conductor power-supply wiring between the volume control  
(See Figure 8) and the receiver’s switched outlet or a Niles MVC HUB4  
speaker/ power hub (See Figure 3).  
9. Secure the volume control to the junction box. Insert the 1-1/4" device screws  
into the oblong screw holes on the top and bottom of the volume control.  
The oblong shape of the screw holes helps you place the volume control in  
a vertical position. Align the screws with the threaded holes in the junction  
box. Tighten the screws using a Phillips screwdriver. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. If  
necessary, loosen these screws several turns so the volume control fits flush  
with the faceplate.  
Figure 9. Loosening the screws  
for a Flush fit  
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OPERATION  
1. Make sure the amplifier or receiver power is OFF and set the volume to minimum.  
2. Set the volume on the volume control to maximum (fully clockwise).  
3. If you are using a Niles speaker-selection system, locate the ON/OFF button that corresponds to the speaker pair  
you wish to play. Set it to the ON position. Make sure the defeatable protection circuit is not enabled. See USING  
SPEAKER SELECTORS WITH IM VOLUME CONTROLS, on page 6.  
4. Turn ON the amplifier or receiver and select a source, such as the tuner or CD player.  
5. Observe the MVC100 Mute button: Red: MUTE ON, Green: ACTIVE. If Mute button is Red, activate the speakers by  
briefly pressing the Mute button changing its color to Green.  
6. Slowly turn up the amplifier or receiver volume and set it to a comfortable – not maximum – listening level. Don’t  
overdrive or “clip” your amplifier. If the sound becomes muddy or distorted, you have reached the limit of your  
amplifier’s volume capability. Reduce the volume at once to avoid damaging your speakers.  
7. Use the volume control to adjust the volume of the speakers to the desired listening level. If all the speaker pairs  
in your system are equipped with Niles volume controls, you can set the amplifier or receiver volume at one posi-  
tion and use the Niles controls exclusively.  
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)  
 
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OPERATION (CONTINUED)  
8. To turn OFF the speakers, turn the knob on the volume control fully counter-clockwise, or press the Mute button.  
The Mute button will change from Green to Red, indicating the local speakers are Muted.  
PROGRAMMING MUTING VOLUME CONTROLS  
You can program individual Niles Muting Volume Controls, allowing certain locations (such as the guest bedroom and porch)  
to remain muted when system activation turns on other locations (such as the kitchen and family room).  
Place the volume control in the desired turn-on state (muted or unmuted) by pressing the mute button.Then press and hold  
the mute button for 10 seconds. An LED blinks to indicate that programming has occurred.  
Niles Muting Volume Controls come from the factory pre-programmed in the automatic mute mode.  
MAINTENANCE  
Niles volume controls do not require any regular maintenance other than occasional cleaning. Use a damp soft cloth and  
simply wipe the knob and wallplate clean. Do not use an abrasive cleanser as this might scratch the surface of the wallplate.  
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.
SPECIFICATIONS  
Audio Power Handling  
100W/channel RMS.  
Unit Dimensions  
1-5/8" wide x 2-5/8" high  
200W/channel peak music power.  
Faceplate Dimensions  
Faceplate: 2-3/4" wide x 4-1/2" high  
Mounting  
In-wall, fits into most 18-cubic-inch single-gang  
junction boxes at least 2-3/4" deep.  
Depth Behind Faceplate  
2-9/16".  
Wiring Requirements  
14-16 gauge, two individual runs of two-  
conductor speaker wire, or one run of  
four-conductor speaker wire.  
IR Wiring Requirements  
Individual home-run of category 5 cable.  
18  
 
CONTENTS  
MVC100R  
MVC 100  
MVC100IR volume control X1  
MVC 100 Volume Control  
Snap-on Decora color insert X1  
Blank Decora wallplate X1  
Knob X1  
Snap-on Decora color insert  
Knob  
Device mounting screws X2  
Removable speaker connector X2  
Device mounting screws X2  
Faceplate screws X2  
Removable speaker connector X2  
19  
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI  
 
(a) Electrical Box  
(b) Speaker Wire  
(c) MVC100IR Volume Control (supplied)  
(d) Snap-on Color Insert (supplied)  
(e) Knob (supplied)  
(f) Device Screws (2 supplied)  
(g) Decora Wallplate (supplied)  
(h) Faceplate Screws (2 supplied)  
a
d
b
e
c
f
g
h
Figure 10  
20  
 
NOTES  
____________________________________________________________________________________________  
____________________________________________________________________________________________  
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NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI  
 
®
B
L E N D I N G  
H
I G H  
F
I D E L I T Y  
A
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R C H I T E C T U R E  
N i l e s A u d i o C o r p o r a t i o n  
1 2 3 3 1 S . W . 1 3 0 S t r e e t M i a m i , F l o r i d a 3 3 1 8 6  
D e s i g n e d a n d E n g i n e e r e d i n U S A  
M a d e i n C h i n a  
©2005 Niles Audio Corporation. All rights reserved. Niles, the Niles logos, Blending High Fidelity and Architecture  
and IntelliControl are registered trademarks of Niles Audio Corporation. MicroFlasher is a trademark of  
Niles Audio Corporation. Decora is a registered trademark of Leviton. All other trademarks are the property  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All CMhianna.uals SDeSa0r0c3h17AC nd Download.  
of their respective owners. Printed in  
07/05  

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