PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM

I.U. WANNIARACHCHI
Speaker Coverage Angle : The coverage angle is defined as the included
angle at which the sound level is 6dB down from the on-axis sound level.
Speak patterns : The speaker patterns can be divided into two
patterns. These are square pattern and hexagonal pattern.

Speak density: The speaker density layouts are,

i. edge to edge,
ii. minimum overlap and
iii. Maximum overlap.
Higher speaker density provides higher SPL capability, overcomes ambient
noise better and reduces the differences in sound level from location to
location within the space. Lower densities result in fewer and lower system
cost, but provide lower SPL capability and greater variations in level within
the space.

Additional sound pressure level due to layout pattern and density

The speaker density affects the amount of variation of the sound pressure
level within the listening plane. The tighter the spacing, the more consistent
the sound will be from place to place within the space.
Calculation of speaker coverage area
The coverage area of the speaker
can be calculated using the
effective coverage angle and height
above listener. Some speaker
manufacturers are mention the
polar coverage angle that angle
cannot be directly use to calculate
the speaker coverage area.

Coverage area = πD2/4

Sound Pressure Level Scale
Example 1 : Select the no of speakers and required amplifier capacity for a
area of 30 x 40 ft with ceiling height of 8ft. Use square pattern with
minimum overlap. The minimum sound level to be maintained is 88dB.

Use TOA F-121CM speaker and consider the listener height as 4ft.
Example 2 : Select the no of speakers and required amplifier capacity for an
outdoor area of 100 x 200 ft . The minimum sound level to be maintained is
96dB. Assume that the speakers are going to be mounted on pole with height
of 14ft and downward tilt of 100.

Use TOA SC-615T speaker and consider the listener height as 4ft.
What Cables and Connectors Are Used with PA Systems?

XLR Connectors : These connectors are frequently used in

professional applications, which demand reliability. They are
compatible with the balanced. They are generally used with
PA systems for microphones, power amplifiers, speakers, etc.
Phone Connectors:
Phone connectors are used only in the unbalanced method. They are used
with instruments such as electric guitars and keyboards, as well as with
power amplifiers and speakers.

Balanced transmission: strong against noise

Unbalanced transmission: weak against
noise

Balanced transmission deals with signals with positive and negative phases, and
uses three transmission wires: hot, cold and ground. In this case, a cable in
which two wires are shielded (covered) by one other mesh wire is used.
Unbalanced transmission deals with signals with a positive phase only and uses
two transmission wires: hot and ground. In this case, a cable in which one wire
is shielded (covered) by one other mesh wire is used.
RCA pin connectors: These
connectors are generally used with
Audio Visual equipment and are
solely for use with unbalanced
transmission. They are color-coded
by signal type. The white connector
is used to send left (L) audio channel
signals, while the red connector is
used to send right (R) audio channel
signals.
Cables used with passive speakers:
This connector has a lock
attached and is for
used with professional
equipment. It is used
solely to connect
power amplifiers and
passive speakers. After
inserting a cable, turn
it to the right to lock
it.
Stripped speaker cables : These
speaker cables are for general use. They
are usually color-coded to indicate the
positive and negative wires. Connecting
the wires in reverse will cause a reverse
polarity, so be sure to connect the
amplifier and passive speakers so that
their positive and negative sides match
up.
Selection of cable for speaker wiring
Power Supply to the Public Address System: an adequately rated
mains power supply, substantially free from electrical interference, should
be provided in accordance with the designer’s requirement. The supply
should not shared with other equipment such as motor loads.

Secondary Power Supply: if the building is to be evacuated following a

primary power failure, a secondary power shall be provided. This shall be
capable of operating the system in the emergency mode for a period
equal to twice the evacuation time determined by the appropriate
authority. The secondary power supply shall be capable of powering the
system for a minimum of 30 mins.
Designing of PA System

 Site survey and studying of the architectural and structural

drawings.
 Identifying the areas to be covered by PA system and zoning of the
system.
 Client’s requirements, such as interfacing with other trades.
 Determination of required SPL and speaker types. Designing the
system.
 Preparing of tender documents i.e. Technical Specifications, Bill of
Quantities, drawings, etc.
 Installation supervision and commissioning.
Contents of Technical Specifications:

 Introduction to the System

 Scope of the project
 Contractors responsibility and interfacing with other trades
 codes and standards
 Technical details of speakers, amplifiers, zone selectors, mixers, etc.
 Cable management and wiring
 Testing and Commissioning
 Submittals (with the Bid and after completion) – operational manuals,
as- built drawings,
 Warranty
Bill of Quantities

 Preliminaries
 Equipment rack, system components
 Cable Management System
 Cables and wiring
 Testing and Commissioning
 Submission of as-built drawings
Zone Selector
Speaker Taps
Back side connections of Power Amplifier
Equalizer : An audio equalizer is an electronic device or type of
software that increases and decreases the power of sound
waves. The point of sound equalization is to obtain an audio
balance where each piece of a musical composition, such as
drum beats, guitar riffs and vocals, can be distinctly heard and
sound good as a unit. An audio equalizer can be a single piece of
equipment, a component in an audio mixer or a computerized
piece of software. Audio equalizers are found in cars and home
stereo systems, and are also used by sound engineers.
Feed Back Suppressor : A feedback suppressor detects
audio feedback and suppresses it typically by inserting a notch
filter (Band stop filter) into the signal path of the system.
Speaker Phasing : As the voltage on speakers changes from plus to minus,
the speaker cone moves from pushing out to pulling in. if a speaker is pushing
out and an adjacent speaker is pulling in, some of the pressure caused by the
speaker pushing out will be absorbed by the speaker pulling in. these two
speakers are out of phase. In paging system all speakers should be in phase.
White Noise :

White noise is a static sound that has equal energy on every frequency.
Every frequency from 20Hz to 20kHz is equally represented at the same
velocity; this type of frequency scale is called a "linear" scale.

This gives the noise a uniform, static sound that the human ear detects as
somewhat harsh and heavy-handed toward the high frequencies.
However, white noise represents a very unnatural way of presenting
frequency data in terms of how our ears work.

Pink noise :
Pink noise is similar, except that you have to think in terms of octaves.
Pink noise is equal energy per octave, rather than equal energy per
frequency. Pink noise has a -3dB per octave slope, which makes the
spectrum look completely flat on a logarithmic scale. Pink noise, to the
human ear, sounds much more natural -- and the human ear is able to
discern frequencies in the low, mid, and high ranges.

Pink noise is very useful for tuning audio equipment and calibrating studio
monitors, microphones, and speakers.