Introduction
T
hank you for choosing Harman Kardon
®
! T
he ABH 4 Expansion Hub that
you have purchased will enable you to extend the capabilities of an A-BUS
®
-
b
ased multiroom system to four or more rooms , with a Harman Kardon
A-BUS/READY receiver as the control point. In applications in which you wish to
add A-BUS connectivity to a receiver , preamplifier or surround processor that is
not A-BUS/READY , a few simple connections to a multiroom or tape output will
enable you to add the power and simplicity of A-BUS to your home .
W
e strongly recommend that you carefully read this instruction sheet before
installing your new ABH 4. It contains important infor mation that will guide you
step by step through the correct and safe installation of the unit. If you do not
have experience installing in-wall electrical and telecommunications components ,
you are advised to consult with a qualified low-voltage contractor or custom
i
nstaller .
If you have any questions about this product, its installation or its operation,
please contact your retailer or custom installer . He or she is your best source of
product information.
Designed for simple installation by a custom installer or advanced do-it-yourself
h
obbyist, the ABH 4 will add to your listening pleasure by distributing sound
throughout your home with the level of performance and product design
elegance for which Harman Kardon has been famous for more than fifty years .
F
eatures
• Simple connection to any A-BUS/ READY Harman Kardon receiver
• Easy interface with existing audio/video receivers , preamplifiers or processors
t
o add A-BUS capability for multiroom systems with only a single Category 5
cable run to each remote module
• Designed for easy mounting on wire back-boards , or for shelf placement
I
MPORT ANT SAFETY AND INST ALLA TION INFORMA TION!
Wire Separations
Remote control wiring systems must be installed to minimize the possibility of
accidental contact with hazardous power and lighting wiring
.
Never place remote
control wiring near bare power wires or lightning rods , antennas , transformers ,
steam or hot water pipes , or heating ducts . Never place remote control wire in
any conduit, box, channel, duct or other enclosure containing power or lighting
circuits of any type . Always provide adequate separation of remote control wiring
and other electrical wiring according to code . When in doubt about separation
distances , the “Rule of Sixes” can be used. This rule requires 6 feet of separation
between remote control wiring and open high-voltage wiring , lightning grounding
wire or grounding rods . It requires 6 inches of separation from all other high-
voltage wiring , unless in conduit.
Cutting and Drilling
Always observe trade safety rules for concealed wiring. Be extremely careful not
to cut through or drill into concealed wiring or pipes . Make a small inspection
opening before cutting or drilling .
Additional Installation Information
C
ommon wire-splicing techniques may cause the wire to break, resulting
in poor circuit integrity . This can cause interference and result in poor system
p
erformance .
Dust or dirt can cause special problems on wiring contacts . Be sure all contacts
are clean and that all parts are installed correctly to protect them from dust
a
nd dirt.
Y our new Harman Kardon ABH 4 A-BUS Expansion Hub has been custom-
d
esigned for use with A-BUS products . Do not connect the RJ-45 jacks to
any other device .
Make sure to follow all instructions when preparing wiring for use with the ABH 4
E
xpansion Hub and associated equipment. Failure to do so may result in a
potential safety hazard, including possible danger to persons and/or equipment.
If you will be running RJ-45 cable through a ventilation plenum, remember to
use plenum-rated cable to comply with NEC and other safety requirements .
Failure to do so may result in a potential fire or safety hazard.
I
f you have any doubt about your ability to work with electrical and telecommuni-
cations wiring , you are advised to hire a professional licensed electrician or
custom installer to install this product.
I
nstallation Planning
When installed, the ABH 4 may be placed flat on a shelf or mounted to a wire
back-board using standard wood screws and the keyhole notches on the outer
edge of the ABH 4. The unit’ s power supply must be placed on a shelf and
should not be attached to a back-board. When planning an installation, remem-
b
er to allow sufficient clearance for all wires and connectors that will be attached
to the ABH 4 so that severe angle bends of connecting cables are avoided.
The wiring used to connect the ABH 4 to the A-BUS/READY receiver and A-BUS
modules in remote rooms may be Category 5 or 5e wiring. Be certain that any
specific safety rating requirements for riser or plenum wiring are taken into
a
ccount, if needed. The speaker wiring should also be in-wall-rated as required,
and may not exceed 14 A WG . T o simplify wiring , you may wish to use two pairs
of (4x14) CL-3-rated in-wall wiring and run a single cable from the ABH 4 to
both locations . One pair will be used to connect the first speaker and the other
will continue to the second speaker .
What Is Included
Y our ABH 4 should be packed with the following items . If any of the below are
missing , please contact Harman Kardon customer ser vice .
• ABH 4 Expansion Hub • Power Supply
• AC Power Cord • RJ-45 Connection Jumper Cable
• Drill a pilot hole and install an anchor or retaining socket sufficient to accom-
modate a #10 pan-head Phillips-type wood screw that is at least 1 inch long
at each side , under the circular part of the tracing . If you have any questions or
d
oubt about the ability of the wall surface to properly support the weight of the
ABH 4, consult a properly trained installer before proceeding.
• When the anchor is installed, place a screw through the slot on either side
of the ABH 4 and then tighten the screw into the anchor until it is almost
completely secured.
•
Slip the ABH 4 so that it slides down the keyhole notch of the slot and then
tighten it securely to the wall.
Connections to an A-BUS/
READY
Receiver
S
tep One: Connect the ABH 4 to the Receiver
Using the RJ-45 jumper cable supplied with the ABH 4, connect one end to the
Expansion In Jack ¢ on the ABH 4 and the other end to the A-BUS/READY
j
ack on the rear panel of your Harman Kardon receiver .
Step T wo: Connect the A-BUS Modules
Connect the RJ-45 jacks on the Cat. 5 cabling that runs to the remote room
modules to the A-BUS Outputs • on the ABH 4. Make certain that the con-
nector is wired in accordance with the standard TIA 568A color -coding . Connect
t
he A-BUS modules in the remote rooms to the Cat. 5 cable in accordance with
the instructions for the module .
Step Three: Connect the AC P ower Supply
C
onnect the AC Power Supply furnished with the ABH 4 to the
P
ower Input
™. Plug the AC power cord into the socket on the P ower Supply . Do not
c
onnect the power cord to an AC outlet at this time .
Optional Step Four: Multiple ABH 4 Connections
If you are using more than one ABH 4 in a system, connect the Expansion Out
J
ack
∞ t
o the
E
xpansion In Jack
¢ o
n another ABH 4, using the RJ-45
jumper cable supplied with the second ABH 4. Then, follow steps two and three ,
as shown above .
INST ALLA TION AND CONNECTION
I
mportant Safety Note:
Before beginning the installation process , make certain that all electronics
p
roducts in the system are turned off and disconnected from their A/V power
connection. This avoids the possibility of accidental activation that could possibly
damage the equipment or cause personal injury . Do not turn on the equipment
u
ntil instructed.
The ABH 4 may be used in two modes of operation. The installation process will
v
ary according to which option you select.
• When used in conjunction with an A-BUS/READY Harman Kardon receiver ,
the ABH 4 provides the power that enables up to four remote rooms to be
e
quipped with A-BUS modules such as the Harman Kardon AB 1, with more
room installations possible through the use of additional ABH 4 hubs .
• The ABH 4 may also be used with any receiver , preamplifier or surround
processor that that has a “tape” or “multiroom” output to send the selected
source to A-BUS modules installed in remote rooms . Alter natively , a T uner or
C
D player may be connected to the ABH 4 to create a one-source multiroom
audio system.
Mounting the ABH 4 (optional)
B
efore making any connections to the ABH 4, read the instructions below and
carefully plan the placement of any wiring that may be required. The ABH 4 may
be mounted on a wall using the screw slots provided on the sides of the unit, or
it may simply be placed on any flat surface .
• T o mount the ABH 4 to a wall, first place the unit against the surface to which
i
t will be mounted, and make certain that there is sufficient clearance at all
sides for any cables that will be attached and that they are able to reach their
destination.
• Although the ABH 4 is relatively light, make certain that the wall surface is able
to support the ABH 4.
•
While holding the ABH 4 to the wall, trace the outline of the slots on the
“wings”
at the left and right side of the
ABH to the wall.
T ypographical Conventions
T
o help you use this manual, the following typographical conventions are used to
identify the various parts of the product.
¡ (
number in a circle) Indicates a connection point on the side edges of
the ABH 4.
å (letter in a circle) Indicates an LED indicator on the top face of the ABH 4.
T
op-Edge Connections
¡ Status Input: When the ABH 4 is used in the stand-alone mode with a
non-A-BUS/READY source or receiver , an optional 12-volt DC power source
m
ay be attached to this jack to keep the A-BUS system active .
™ Power Input: Connect the small mini plug at the end of the ABH 4 power
supply to this jack.
£ A
udio Inputs:
W
hen the ABH 4 is used in the stand-alone mode to create
an A-BUS system using a receiver that is not A-BUS/READY , connect the right
a
nd left audio outputs from the feed source to these input jacks . The source may
be a single product such as a tuner or CD player , or it may be the T ape outputs
or Multiroom outputs of a receiver . Note that these inputs are connected to Music
Sense circuitry that will automatically tur n on all A-BUS modules connected to t he
ABH 4 when an audio signal is present, and tur n them off 30 seconds after the
a
udio signal stops .
¢ Expansion In Jack: This jack connects to the device that is providing
the A-BUS system source that feeds the A-BUS modules used with this
ABH 4. In most applications , the connection will be to the A-BUS output on a
Harman Kardon A-BUS/READY receiver , although the input may also come from
t
he
E
xpansion Out Jack
∞ o
f another ABH 4 when multiple hubs are in use .
In all cases , the connection should be made using a standard TIA 568A RJ-45
jumper cable .
∞ Expansion Out Jack: If you are using more than one ABH 4 in your sys-
tem to add additional rooms , connect one end of a jumper cable with RJ-45
c
onnectors to this jack. Connect the other end of the jumper cable to the
Expansion In Jack ¢ on the next ABH 4.
Bottom-Edge Connections
§ Local IR Input T erminals: When the ABH 4 is used with a source product
other than an A-BUS/READY receiver , these ter minals allow you to connect a
compatible , optional IR receiver/sensor to receive infrared remote commands for
the control of source components in a room where there is no A-BUS module .
IR commands received by the sensor will be retransmitted to the
IR Emitter
Jacks ¶ for use with optional IR emitters . Follow the instructions packed with
the IR receiver/sensor for the proper connections to the terminals here . T o con-
nect wires from the sensor , unscrew the retaining screw on the appropriate ter-
minal until wire clamp retracts into the bottom of the terminal block. Insert the
wires following the instructions in Step Seven on the other side of this sheet, and
tighten the screw until the clamp secures the wire so that it does not fall out.
¶ IR Emitter Jacks: These jacks route the IR signals that are received either
by the remote sensor in an
A-BUS module such as Har
man Kardon’
s AB 1 or
from an optional IR receiver connected to the Local IR Input
T
erminals
§ to
optional
remote IR emitters . These emitters should be placed over the IR receiver
in the source components to be controlled in accordance with their manufacturer
’
s
instructions .
This enables a remote control where an A-BUS module is installed
to control source components such as a CD or DVD player .
• A-BUS Outputs: These jacks are the communications link between the
remote
A-BUS modules and the ABH 4, carr ying audio signals and power to the
A-BUS modules , and IR commands from the A-BUS modules to the ABH 4 and
products connected to it. Connect a cable from each remote A-BUS module to
these outputs using standard RJ-45 connectors with cabling wired in compliance
with the TIA 568A standard.
LED Indicators
å Status Indicator: This LED will light when the ABH 4 is activated. In most
cases , it will light when a Harman Kardon A-BUS/READY receiver connected to
the ABH 4 is turned on. When the ABH 4 is used with non-A-BUS/READY prod-
ucts , the Status Indicator will light when an audio signal is present at the Audio
Inputs £ or when a DC power source is connected to the Sta tus Input ¡.
The Status Indicator will go out 30 seconds after the power or audio source is
removed.
∫ P
o
wer Indica
tor:
This LED will light to indicate that the
ABH 4 is con-
nected to a power source that enables the remote modules and the infrared
relay system to operate
. This power source may be either a connection to an
A-BUS/READY product, the ABH 4’s power supply or through a connection to
another ABH 4. Note that the ABH 4’ s external power supply must be connected
in order for it to power multiple remote modules .
ç IR Indica
tor:
This LED will flash to confir
m that an IR signal is being passed
through the ABH 4. This signal may originate from a remote A-BUS module or
from an optional remote sensor attached to the Local IR Input T erminals §.
Optional AB 1
A-BUS
modules
connected
by Cat. 5 cabling
When using an A-BUS/
READY pr oduct,
use the supplied RJ -4 5 j umper cable
to connect the A-BUS j ack on the
recei ve r to the “Expansion In ” jac k
on the ABH 4 .
DVD playe r o r othe r sou rce component with
connection to compatible IR input j ack
Sour ce component
with optional IR emitte r
placed ov er IR sensor
ABH 4
pow er supply
240240
31
FL 8385
P
ower Phones Phones Level
PL AY/PAUSE
1
23
4 5
DIS KS KIP
STOP
SEARCH SKIP
››
Í Í
‹‹ ›› ‹‹
ABH 4 OM (Large) 3/24/05 4:50 PM Page 1