Chapter 13-Audio Video & Paging System

Overhead Paging Systems:

Overhead paging, sometimes referred to as a PA system, allows users the ability to broadcast
voice messages or audio programming across a network of loudspeakers that are typically
mounted on walls or in the ceiling. In many systems, loudspeakers and horns may be
accessed individually, in logical groups (i.e., zones), or all at once (i.e., all call). This type
of system may have the capability to provide background music, time tones, night ringing,
alerting tones, one-way, and/or talkback paging to any or all zones in the system. A PA system
can be accessed through a telephone system or may have a dedicated microphone or console.

NOTE: This section discusses telecommunications applications of overhead paging.

Q: What is the type of Paging system.

Ans: Two main technologies employed in paging systems are:

• Centrally amplified systems.
• Distributed amplified systems.

With both systems, the voice page may be accessed by a microphone or a telephone. The
voice signal is amplified and broadcast over the loudspeakers and/or horns.

Centrally Amplified System

The centrally amplified system is so named because the line level signal received from a
telephone system or the low level signal from a microphone is first amplified and then fed at a
higher level through various types of cable to loudspeakers and horns.

Two types of amplifiers and loudspeakers that can be used in a centrally amplified system are:
• Constant current.
• Constant voltage.

The constant current systems are more common in smaller installations and require more
consideration in design because the loudspeakers need to be balanced, based on load rating,
typically 4 or 8 ohms.

Systems requiring more than a few loudspeakers are typically better served with a constant
voltage design, which provides a voltage of up to 140 V (i.e., typically 25, 70, or 100),
eliminating the need to calculate and balance loads.

In both constant current and constant voltage systems, the cable is usually 18 American wire
gauge (AWG) [1 mm (0.039 in)] or larger, and may be shielded to prevent emissions
(e.g., alien crosstalk) of the higher voltage level signals into other lower voltage level voice
and data systems.

Distributed Amplifier System

Distributed amplifier systems typically connect to the telephone system using a control unit
located at the headend equipment. The control unit sends a lower voltage level voice signal,
along with a dc voltage (i.e., typically 24 V) through two-pair twisted-pair cable to the
loudspeakers. Each loudspeaker or horn contains a separate amplifier circuit and volume
control where the voice signal is amplified.
Chapter 13-Audio Video & Paging System

When deciding on which type of technology to use, there are several considerations,
which include:
• Cost.
• Cable type.
• Future expandability.
• Interface requirements.
• Source requirements.
• AV room or rack space availability.
• Facility type.

Loudspeaker Selection and Placement

The reproduced direct sound should be as low as possible. Direct sound is sound that travels
directly from a loudspeaker to the listener. Rooms with hard surfaces (e.g., marble or concrete
floors, painted plaster walls, high ceilings) can cause reverberant sound that is reflected from
a surface (e.g., wall, floor) to the listener. A high level of reverberated sound could cause
the direct sound to be unintelligible.

Q: What is the value of SPL.

Ans: A properly designed overhead paging system will provide an SPL for the voice page that is at least 6
dB, but no more than 20 dB above the ambient noise level.

Note: If the 6 dB level is not followed, the voice pages:

• May be lost in the ambient noise of the room.
• Will be unintelligible.

If the 20 dB ambient noise level is not followed, the paging will be far too loud in areas closest
to the loudspeakers and horns.

Q: How many Loudspeaker Distribution Patterns:

Ans: The two most common loudspeaker distribution patterns used by designers are the hexagonal
and the square (see Figures 13.37 and 13.38). The hexagonal is the preferred pattern because
it provides the most uniform coverage.
Chapter 13-Audio Video & Paging System

Q: Where required Ceiling Loudspeakers:

Ans: In areas with less than 70 dB noise level, the distance between ceiling loudspeakers in a row
should be approximately twice the ceiling height.

In areas with a noise level greater than 70 dB, the distance between loudspeakers should be
decreased.

Q: Where required Wall-Mounted Loudspeakers:

Ans: In some installations, ceiling-mounted loudspeakers are impractical because of premises

structures that prevent the loudspeakers from being properly mounted. In these installations,
using wall-mounted loudspeakers may be necessary.

Installation Height:

For appropriate sound coverage, wall-mounted loudspeakers should be mounted

≈2.4 m (8 ft) to ≈3.7 m (12 ft) above the floor. Wall-mounted loudspeakers should not be directed
toward each other.

Q: Where required Hallway Loudspeakers and Height:

Ans: For heavy traffic hallways, use ceiling-mounted loudspeakers placed along the center
of the hallway≈ 2.4 m (8 ft) intervals whenever possible. Place the first loudspeaker
≈2.4 m (8 ft) from the end of the hall and work toward the other end. Place a ceiling
loudspeaker at hall junctions. In a normal traffic hallway, place loudspeakers at intervals
equal to twice the ceiling height.

Where ceiling loudspeakers cannot be used, use wall-mounted bidirectional loudspeakers

placed at intervals of ≈8 m (26 ft) on alternating sides of the hallway. Place the first
bidirectional loudspeaker ≈6.1 m (20 ft) from the end of the hall and work toward the other end.
Chapter 13-Audio Video & Paging System

Q: Where required Horn Loudspeakers:

Ans: Horn loudspeakers (i.e., horns) have a directional projection pattern and are appropriate
for use in environments with more than 70 dB of noise. The loudspeakers may be installed
indoors or outdoors or where larger areas must be covered by each loudspeaker. Horns
commonly have a higher power rating than ceiling-mounted loudspeakers.

The area that can be covered by a horn depends on:

• Ambient noise level (i.e., consistent or varying noise level).
• Mounting height. • Angle of projection. • Obstructions or racks.

Height: One 15 W horn mounted ≈5 m (16.5 ft) above the floor and adjusted to a 60-degree angle of
projection will cover the areas shown in Table 13.7 under the given noise levels.

Note: Loudspeaker Phasing

When more than one loudspeaker is used in an area, it is important that the loudspeakers are
phased correctly to reduce cancellations. Phasing refers to whether the diaphragms of two or
more loudspeakers are moving inward or outward at the same times. Loudspeakers are in phase
when their diaphragms are moving inward or outward at the same time; loudspeakers
are out-of-phase when their diaphragms are not moving inward or outward at the same time.
Out-of-phase loudspeakers reduce the overall sound volume and quality in an area.

Constant Voltage System Design

Generally, there are two systems typically used. The most common is called a 70 V system
because the maximum voltage out of the amplifier at full power is 70 V. The other system is
called a 25 V system for the same reason. Some countries use 100 V and 140 V systems.
In a 70 V distribution system, a 5 W signal can be transmitted over ≈1520 m (4987 ft) on
20 AWG [≈0.81 mm (0.032 in)] with a power loss of only 10 percent. In a 25 V system, the
5 W signal can be applied over more than ≈183 m (600 ft) of 20 AWG [≈0.81 mm (0.032 in)]
with a 10 percent power loss.

NOTE: This chart is based on a line loss of 10 percent. Line lengths for a 5 percent loss can be detected by
multiplying the 10 percent length by 0.5. The line lengths double for a 20 percent loss. A 70 V line
can be run eight times farther than a 25 V line for the same loss.
Chapter 13-Audio Video & Paging System

Note: Voltage step-down transformers are used at each loudspeaker to convert the 25 V or 70 V
signal to a much lower voltage. These transformers are called impedance-matching
transformers. These transformers provide various taps that allow the power to each
loudspeaker to be individually adjusted during installation. The tap values may range from
1/8 W to 20 W for most paging applications, up to 200 W for some loudspeakers.

Note: The most common types of coaxial cable used in intrabuilding CATV systems are Series-6,
Series-11, and ≈12.7 mm (0.5 in) hardline and are 75 ohm. There are two basic topologies used in
private CATV distribution systems. Most systems are actually designed with a combination of these
basic topologies:

• Home run
• Trunk and tap

Device Loss
Splitter
A two-way signal splitter divides a signal evenly while maintaining a 75 ohm impedance.
This results in an approximate signal loss of 3 dB (e.g., half the power). For design purposes
and because of mechanical properties, temperature, and frequency, manufacturers specify as
much as 3.5 dB. Four-way and eight-way splitters will have higher signal loss.

Directional Coupler
A directional coupler is a splitter with uneven outputs. By allowing more signal loss over
75 ohms on one leg (e.g., tap leg), less loss is maintained on the through leg. The more loss
allowed on the tap leg will maximize the signal on the through leg (e.g., a directional coupler
with an 8 dB value will have approximately 8 dB of loss on one leg, but only 1.2 dB of loss
on the through leg. A 12 dB coupler will have 12 dB of loss on the tap leg, and 0.8 dB on the
through leg.).