Every once in a while an opportunity appears in the AV industry which didn’t exist a year ago – and we look around and say “that product now meets this new need.” This is exactly the case with regards to the LynTec RPC Series Circuit Breaker Panels. Their controllable, networkable motorized circuit breaker panel meets many of the electrical power monitoring & control required for an energy efficient installation. The LynTec RPC circuit breaker panels include web enabled control and monitoring making remote access easy.
Take for example any medium – large scale AV system where multiple AC circuits are required.
Typical AV dedicated circuits would include: 
- Projection Screens
- Video Projectors (or large Flat Panels)
- AV Equipment Cabinets (multiple circuits)
- AV Consoles
- Control Rooms
Now it’s simple - specify (or tell the M/E/P Consultant you need) a LynTec RPC panel and you want all AV circuits to originate at this dedicated panel.
This makes managing all AV power circuits simple. It also provides a dedicated circuit breaker panel, located within the AV control room (so the breakers are readily accessible) which can be isolated from other building circuits to avoid noise and interference from motors, compressors etc.
The Electrical Solution
LynTec builds electrical circuit breaker panels specifically for installed AV, Pro Audio and Lighting systems. Their panels use Square D motorized circuit breaker panels and manufacture electronics and software that provide the on/off control.
How is this beneficial? Every electrical device is required by code to be protected by a branch circuit breaker, so every device is already connected to a breaker panel. If you use switch-able motorized circuit breakers in your design, you can now turn any device on or off inside of the same panel you are already REQUIRED to have. With LynTec panels you can monitor and control your circuits across the network. This means you don’t have to add rack or wall mounted relay systems, or have to lay extra control wiring to the device (saving both time and materials).
For AV and Pro Audio systems, you can set up automated turn on / off sequences. Most importantly, you can turn off powered speakers. This is especially critical for powered speakers which have typically posed an energy dilemma as they are usually a great distance from the racks and are consequently left on in standby mode indefinitely. Using LynTec panels you can easily turn powered speakers off and take them out of standby mode at the breaker panel.
Other Energy Management Advantages
Virtually all A/V power circuits can originate from the dedicated circuit breaker panel. A dedicated panel has several advantages:
- Current monitoring and alarming is considered more important in designs moving forward. You can’t tell if you’re saving energy if you can’t measure it or report on it! Current monitoring and breaker status monitoring can provided directly at the LynTec panel. This relieves the need for separate boxes or wiring saving materials and installation costs. This feature also sends an email message alert if current draw exceeds set parameters warning you of potential electrical problems.
- Automated or sensor driven control can also be provided via the LynTec panel. The digital I/O ports allow circuits or groups of circuits to switch via sensors. This provides the ability to turn AV systems on/off through occupancy, vacancy or optical sensors assuring that systems do not remain turned on when not needed.
- Electrical surge elimination can also be added to the panel protecting any device on the circuit, not just a single outlet or device. This is provided via a partnership LynTec has with SurgeX. Lyntec can build SurgeX surge elimination modules into the panel for as many or as few circuits as requested.
About LynTec
LynTec (Kansas City, MS) began making remote controlled circuit breakers panels in 1992. Originally their equipment was created to turn large installed audio systems on and off sequentially. This protected the system from operator error and was seen as a huge end-user benefit as it made a complicated system extremely easy to turn on with a touch of a single button.
In 2005, they expanded their product line to include circuit breaker panels for lighting dimmer systems. This product line provides the ability to turn individual lighting circuits on and off and in 2007 LynTec came to market with a fully DMX controlled system.
In 2009, the market demanded more and they came out with their line of circuit breaker panels that are networkable. These systems can be controlled over the network via TCP/IP, RS-232, DMX or even simple relay contact closures.
Since then, they have steadily added the newest set of features mentioned in this article (current monitoring, surge elimination and sensor driven compatibility). Lyntec panels have now moved into the energy management category, providing the capability to monitor your electrical system and completely shut off energy usage whenever and wherever required.
To find out more, visit their web site at www.lyntec.com
Or check out the videos on YouTube: http://www.lyntec.com/support/how-to-videos/
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Christopher Maione, CTS-D, DSCE, is president of Christopher Maione Associates, a firm specializing in all aspects of AV business, technologies, emerging trends and marketing strategy. An industry guru and resource, Maione strongly supports the strengthening of the AV industry by continually setting benchmarks for improving the quality of the products and services AV manufacturers and professionals deliver. With his global experience in AV / IT and architecture, he is an often sought after speaker for industry events and a frequent contributor to various industry trade publications. Serving as an Infocomm Adjunct Faculty member since as well as on several standards committees, he continues to promote the betterment of the AV industry through his extensive involvement. Reach him at: cmaione@chrismaione.com |
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