AX3800 MK II FAQ: Common Questions on Amplifier Changeover & Redundancy
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
AX3800 MK II Common Questions Answered
Amplifier redundancy is an essential requirement in many Public Address (PA) and Voice Alarm (EVAC) systems, ensuring uninterrupted operation when an amplifier failure occurs. Amperes AX3800 MK II Amplifier Changeover unit is designed to automatically transfer speaker loads from a faulty amplifier channel to a standby amplifier, minimizing downtime and maintaining system availability.
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about AX3800 MK II.
Is a Speaker Zone Selector required when using AX3800 MK II?
No. The amplifier output from the AX3800 MK II can be connected directly to the speaker line.
A Speaker Zone Selector is optional and is only required when there is a need to switch individual speaker zones ON or OFF independently.
How many amplifier channels can a single AX3800 MK II support?
Each AX3800 MK II supports up to 8 amplifier channels.
For systems with more than 8 channels, multiple AX3800 MK II units can be used. For example, a system with 3 amplifiers providing 4 channels each (12 channels in total) would require 2 units of AX3800 MK II.
What is the maximum load supported by the Standby Amplifier input?
The standby amplifier input supports up to 1000W at 100V line, equivalent to a maximum current of 10A.
The standby amplifier is designed to take over one failed amplifier channel at a time, helping to prevent overload during operation.
What happens if two amplifier channels fail at the same time?
The AX3800 MK II allows only one channel to be transferred to the standby amplifier at any given time.
If multiple faults occur simultaneously, the channel with the higher priority will be given preference. Typically, Channel 1 has the highest priority, followed by the remaining channels in sequence.
For applications requiring multiple standby amplifiers or simultaneous backup coverage, additional AX3800 MK II units can be deployed.
Why is amplifier redundancy important?
In critical applications such as airports, hospitals, commercial buildings, transportation hubs, and voice EVAC systems, uninterrupted audio operation is essential.
Amperes AX3800 MK II continuously monitors amplifier status and automatically transfers the speaker load to a standby amplifier when a fault is detected, helping maintain audio coverage without manual intervention.
Need Further Assistance?
Every PA system has unique redundancy requirements depending on the number of amplifier channels, standby amplifier configuration, and speaker load distribution.
If you require assistance in selecting the equipments for your project, kindly contact us at info@ampereselectronics.com for further inquiries.
