Leviton 48211 Decora Chopin Digital Volume Control — Installation Instructions

Installation and operating instructions for the Leviton Composer Series Decora® Chopin™ Digital Volume Control (models 48211-IVK, 48211-WVK, 48211-AVK, 48211-AVC, 48211-WVC, 48211-IVC) — a whole-house audio volume control system for Decora-style wall units connected to a central Hub.

Description

The Decora® Chopin™ Volume Control attenuates stereo speaker signals in 17 steps and features a Decora design style. The Digital Volume Control System consists of at least one (and up to three) Wall Mount Decora Volume Control Unit(s) and a Volume Control Hub. The Hub is usually mounted in the Leviton Structured Media™ Center (SMC) enclosure or on a wall.

Safety Warnings

• To be installed and/or used in accordance with appropriate electrical codes and regulations.
• If you are not sure about any part of these instructions, consult a qualified electrician.
• Do not install this product in an electrical junction box with 110VAC or higher unless an approved barrier separates the high and low voltage sections.
• To avoid fire, shock, or death, do not connect power to this product until it is fully installed. When in doubt, turn off the power at the circuit breaker or fuse and test that the power is turned off.
• Never install telephone or data wiring during lightning storms.
• Never install telephone or data jacks in wet locations unless the jack is specifically designed for use in wet locations.
• Never touch un-insulated telephone, data wires, or terminals unless the telephone line has been disconnected at the network interface.
• To prevent electrical shock, each opening must be filled with a module.

Wiring

Connection from the Volume Control Unit(s) to the Hub is made with a single CAT 5/5e wire using all 8 conductors, usually run inside a wall. Use standard CAT 5/5e wiring practices with correct wire pairs and polarity. Only digital control signals — not stereo signals — are routed to the Volume Control Unit.

Note: If more than one Volume Control Unit is connected to a single Hub (multiple units controlling the same speakers), the 8-wire connections must be wired in parallel. Leviton suggests using the 1x9 Bridged Telephone Module (PN# 47689-B).

Standard 4-Pair Wiring Color Codes (T568A)

Speaker Wiring

1. From each Hub, run a fire-rated two-conductor speaker wire to each speaker in the appropriate room. Leviton suggests running a four-conductor speaker wire from the Hub in the SMC to the closest appropriate speaker, then a short two-conductor speaker wire to the other speaker. Every speaker must have a home-run speaker wire pair.
2. From each Hub, run one Category 5/5e cable to each Volume Control Wall Unit in that zone. If more than one pair of speakers is connected to a single Hub, wire the speakers in series or parallel inside the SMC — choose whichever configuration gets closest to 4 or 8 ohms. Do not let the final impedance drop below 4 ohms.
3. Run a single fire-rated four-conductor and a fire-rated two-conductor (or three fire-rated two-conductors), 14–18 gauge speaker wires from the amplifier location to the SMC.

Installation

1. The Volume Control Unit may be mounted in any single-gang, low-voltage mounting ring, or an electrical box deep enough to accommodate the device and associated wiring. Note: electrical boxes containing 110VAC or higher must be equipped with an approved barrier that separates high and low voltage sections.
2. Crimp an 8-pin modular plug onto the Category 5/5e cable following T568A practices and plug it into the Volume Control wall unit.
3. Finish the installation with a Decora Wallplate (user-provided), color-matched to other electrical devices in the room.

Connection to Stereo Equipment

Leviton suggests using fire-rated 14–18 gauge wire for the speakers. Connect the stereo amplifier or receiver outputs (left and right) to the Hub connector labeled "TO AMP," being very careful to observe correct polarity. The Hub has independent floating grounds for safe use with bridged amplifiers and is rated for 120 watts per channel max. Four-ohm amplifiers can power up to eight Hubs; eight-ohm rated amplifiers or receivers can power up to four Hubs.

1. Wire the amplifier speaker terminals parallel to the Hub's "TO AMP" terminals. Leviton suggests using a Leviton 1x6 Passive Audio Module (PN# 48211-6A).
2. Wire the Hub connectors labeled "SPEAKER" directly to the speakers in the controlled room, strictly observing polarity. Use either the amplifier's Speaker A or Speaker B outputs, but not both.

Power Requirements

The Hub requires a 12VDC power supply. The Hub controller also supplies power to the wall units. A minimum of 75 mA is needed for each Hub; a minimum 800 mA power supply is recommended overall.

1. If possible, connect the 12VDC power supply into the switched outlet on the rear of the amplifier or receiver — this resets the Digital Volume Control to its installer-selectable "boot up" every time the receiver or amplifier is turned on.
2. Cut off and discard the 12VDC plug.
3. Strip the wire and connect it to the Hub terminal labeled +12V and G (white-striped wire is positive; ground is the negative terminal). When connecting more than one Hub to a single receiver, use the Leviton DC Power Distribution Module (PN# 48212-DCS).

Installer-Selectable "Boot Up" Behavior

The Digital Volume Control allows the installer to select how the volume control boots up when it first receives 12VDC power.

• To activate this feature: power must be supplied by an outlet controlled by the amplifier/receiver (most consumer amplifiers have a rear "Switched" outlet controlled by the front power/standby switch). Plug the 12VDC power supply into this "Switched" AC outlet. By default, the volume control boots up muted; when the keypad button is pressed, it starts at a quiet position (#6 of 17).
• To defeat the start-up mute: remove the right-side shunt labeled "Start Muted" — the volume control will boot up un-muted.
• To defeat the start-up at #6: remove the left-side shunt labeled "#12-#6" — the unit can start in a louder position (#12), with boot-up mute defeated or muted.
• Note: to restore boot-up defaults, replace the appropriate shunts.

Operation

The Digital Volume Control is very easy to use and has no user-replaceable parts. It has a total of 17 available volume settings that affect one room only.

• To increase volume in this zone: push the rocker button up; holding it up continuously increases the volume until maximized.
• To lower volume in this zone: push the rocker button down; holding it down continuously lowers the volume until it mutes.
• The side LED indicators show the volume level selected; the lower LED shows when power is on.
• To mute: from any volume setting, firmly press the center of the rocker switch. The volume indicator LED will blink when muted.
• To restore the previous volume setting: briefly press the up or down rocker.
• Note: if the stereo is on and the Digital Volume Control has lost power, it will default to a loud (position #12) setting.

Manufacturer Contact

Leviton Voice & Data Division
2222 - 222nd Street SE, Bothell, WA 98021, USA
Phone: (425) 485-4288 • Fax: (425) 483-5270
www.levitonvoicedata.com