Niles MS-1 Troubleshooting guide
MS-1
INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDE
MODEL
MS-1
MICROSENSOR™MINIATURE INFRARED SENSOR
MS-1
Introduction
The MS-1 is a miniature IR sensor designed for use with the
Niles Infrared Repeating systems.
Installed in a remote room location, the MS-1 receives the IR
commands transmitted from your existing hand-held
remotes in that room. The commands are carried via a small
2-conductor shielded cable to your A/V equipment in anoth-
er room, and instantly "repeated".
The MS-1 is compatible with all current Niles infrared
systems. It may be used along with, or as an alternative to,
the Niles IRR4D+, IRR4S+, SCW-UIR, MS-2, TIR1+ and MS360
IR sensors.
The MS-1 is just one part of the three building blocks neces-
sary to complete a Niles IR repeating system:
●Main System Unit—IntelliControl™, RVL-6, IRP2+, IRP6+,
IRZ6+.
●IR Sensors—Models IRR4D+, IRR4S+, SCW-UIR,
TIR1+, MS-1, MS-2 and CMS-3.
●IR Flashers—Models IRC-1and IRC-2.
An expansion unit, Model XRP6+, is available for IR repeater
systems requiring control in more than six rooms.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Features and
Benefits 2
Installation
Considerations 3
Installation 9
Operation 11
Trouble-
shooting 12
Specifications 14
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MS-1
MicroSensor
TM
Miniature
IR Sensor
Features and Benefits
The MS-1 offers a number of improvements over other
miniature IR sensors.
●Small size of only 1/2" diameter by 2-5/16" long—fits
almost anywhere.
●Universal system—compatible with virtually all brands of
A/V equipment and remote controls.
●Excellent IR receiving range—you get 18 to 30 feet of
remote control range (depending upon the strength of
your handheld remote).
●100% factory tested for pickup range and angle.
●Green "flash-back" L.E.D. visually confirms remote control
operation.
●Simple 3-wire hookup—10 feet of IR cable included.
●Printed circuit board design uses surface mount technology
(SMT), assuring high reliability.
●Ideal for both home and commercial installations.
●Bezel colors: Each MS-1 includes a black and white bezel.
●Two year parts and labor warranty.
●Proudly made in the USA.
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IMPORTANT
Refer installation
to a professional
custom installer if
you are unfamiliar
with any of the
following
procedures.
Installation Considerations
Type of Cable
The MS-1 connects to the Niles Infrared Systems with an
individual home run of 2-conductor shielded cable.
Recommended cables are Niles data grade IR cable, West
Penn D291, Belden 8761, Carol C2516 or equivalent, made
of two 22 gauge (or larger) conductors surrounded by a foil
shield and a bare drain (ground) wire.
DO NOT USE UNSHIELDED CABLE WITH THE MS-1.
MS-1 Mounting Location
The MS-1 is ideal for use in applications when tabletop, ceil-
ing, or wall-mounting is undesirable. Its small size and unob-
trusive appearance makes it ideal for installation in obscure,
hidden locations, in cabinet facings, or in the “sensor knock-
out built into Niles in-wall loudspeakers. Installing the MS-1
close to the primary location of the user will ensure best per-
formance.
The MS-1 is designed to flush-mount almost anywhere.
Convenient mounting locations for the MS-1 are:
●In a cabinet door
●In a wall, or wall-plate
●Behind a speaker grille*
* Some types of speaker grilles will reduce the IR pickup range of the
MS-1. If unsure, test the pickup range before permanently installing
the MS-1 behind the speaker grille.
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TOOLS
REQUIRED
• 1/8" Standard
Slotted
Screwdriver
• Adjustable
wrench or pliers
• Wire Stripper
Receiving Range and Pickup Angle
The receiving range of the MS-1 will vary according to the IR
output strength of the remote control being used. Remote
strength varies among brands depending on the number
and size of batteries used, and how many IR emitters the
remote has. For example, remotes that operate on two small
AAA batteries and have only one IR emitter are generally not
as strong as remotes that use the larger AA size batteries and
have two emitters. Tests with various manufacturers' remote
controls have shown that the operating range can vary from
a minimum of 18 feet to a maximum of about 30 feet.
Infrared signals travel essentially line-of-sight. They will not
pass through or around solid objects. Do not rely on an IR
signal being able to "bounce" off a wall or object to the MS-1.
The IR pickup angle of the MS-1 is 60ooff-axis (horizontal
and vertical) at 18 feet. For more information see (Figure 3)
MS-1 Operating Range on Page 11.
Avoiding Optical Interference
As with any type of IR sensor, avoid locating the MS-1 where
it will be exposed to direct sunlight. The sun emits an enor-
mous amount of IR energy, many times stronger than that of
a hand-held remote. Keep in mind that the less sunlight the
MS-1 receives, the better the range of the remotes.
DO NOT mount the MS-1 outdoors. During daylight hours,
you will experience poor range and/or interference.
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Avoiding Electrical Interference
Avoid locating the MS-1 near any potential sources of electri-
cal or optical noise, such as light dimmers, florescent lighting
fixtures, low-voltage lights, and neon lights.
If you are installing the MS-1 near a television, keep it at least
6" away from the top, bottom or sides of the TV to avoid
interference. Avoid running the MS-1's cable on the top of
the TV, or near the back cabinet of the TV. This will help
reduce the possibility of interference.
DO NOT INSTALL THE MS-1 INTO ELECTRICAL BOXES WITH
110 VOLT DEVICES.
Some states or municipalities allow devices such as the MS-1
to be installed into the same electrical box as 110 volt
devices, provided a "low-voltage partition" is used between
the devices. We do not recommend this. The cable connect-
ed to the MS-1 can act as an "antenna" for electrical noise.
Locating the MS-1 cable too close to a light dimmer or
switch may interfere with the MS-1. If you must locate the
MS-1 near electrical devices, install it in a separate metal elec-
trical box, ground the box to the electrical system ground,
and route the MS-1 cable several feet away from all electrical
wiring.
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"TECH TIP"
Do not install the
MS-1 next to a light
dimmer, or where it
will be exposed to
direct sunlight.
Avoiding Optical Feedback
If installing the MS-1 in the same room as an IR flasher, it is
possible for the flasher's IR output to be picked-up by the
MS-1. This effect, known as an optical feedback loop, can
cause erratic operation. Optical feedback is similar to acousti-
cal feedback: the howling or whistling sound heard in a P.A.
system when the microphone is too close to the speaker. To
avoid optical feedback:
1. Lower the output power of the flasher(s) using the variable
flasher level control(s) on the Niles Main System Units.
2. Re-position the flasher(s) and/or the sensor.
3. Use Niles IRC-2 flashers and cover them with the supplied
IR blockers.
Changing the Color of the MS-1
The bezel surrounding the lens on the MS-1 is removable,
allowing fast and easy color changes as needed. A black and
white bezel are included with your MS-1. If you desire, you
may paint the MS-1 bezel yourself—to blend it seamlessly
into your decor.
If you need to change the color of the MS-1:
1. Hold the MS-1 as shown in (Figure 1)on next page.
Unscrew the bezel by turning it counter-clockwise. Note
that the MS-1's lens is held in place by the bezel—be
careful not to lose it.
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2. Hold the MS-1 so that the front of it is facing you, mak-
ing sure that the lens is in place. Screw the new bezel onto
the MS-1 by turning it clockwise.
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Figure1
Removing the Bezel
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(a) Hex Nut (supplied)
(b) Washer (supplied)
(c) Mounting Surface
(d) IR Cable (10 feet supplied)
(e) MS-1 Miniature IR Sensor (supplied)
(f) MS-1 Lens Bezel (supplied)
a
b
d
e
f
c
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Installation
If you are installing the MS-1 into an existing wall, take time
to consider any possible obstructions which may be hidden
inside the wall, such as wood and metal studs; electrical, tele-
phone or other types of wiring; plumbing; conduit; old wall
safes; etc.
1. Determine a mounting location for the MS-1. Select a
location where you will have access to the rear of the MS-1
after it is installed. This will allow you to securely tighten the
MS-1 to the mounting surface using the supplied hardware.
2. Drill a 1/2" hole where the MS-1 will be mounted.
3. Run the MS-1's IR cable. Label the cable for future refer-
ence. The MS-1 is supplied with 10' of pre-stripped IR cable.
The IR cable may be shortened or lengthened as needed. If
you want to make the MS-1's cable shorter, use a pair of wire
cutters to cut the cable to the desired length. The IR cable
may be lengthened by splicing it to a recommended IR cable
(See Installation Considerations—Type of Cable). You may
splice the MS-1 cable to another cable by soldering or crimp-
ing the connections.
4. Connect the MS-1 cable to the Main System Unit. Strip
1/4" of insulation from the end of each wire. Tightly twist the
end of each wire until there are no frayed ends. Insert the end
of each wire into the appropriate hole on the Main System
Unit's connector block; secure the wiring to the connector by
tightening the small connector screws. Double-check all con-
nections. See (Figure 2).
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