Niles WS120 User manual
WALL-MOUNT IR SENSOR
WS12 0
INSTALLATION GUIDE
II
CONGRATULATIONS!
Thank you for choosing the WS120 Wall-Mount Infrared Remote Sensor from Niles. With
proper installation and operation, you should enjoy years of trouble-free use.
Niles manufactures the industry’s most complete line of custom installation components and
accessories for audio/video systems. To see the complete Niles product assortment, visit us on the
internet at: www.nilesaudio.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Contents 1
Features and Benefits 2
Installation Considerations 3
Installation 9
Operation 10
Troubleshooting 11
Specifications 14
Limited Warranty 16
1
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 1-305-238-4373
INTROdUCTION
The Niles WS120 is a wall-mount, Decora®style IR sensor designed for use with the Niles infrared
extender systems.
Installed in a remote room location, the WS120 receives the IR commands transmitted from your
existing hand-held remotes in that room. The commands are carried via a CAT-5 cable to your A/V
equipment in another room, and instantly “repeated”.
The WS120 is compatible with all current Niles infrared systems. It may be used along with,
or as an alternative to, the Niles TS120, MS120, MS220, and CS120 sensors or the Niles
MultiZone Keypad.
The WS120 is just one part of the three building blocks necessary to complete a Niles IR
repeating system:
• IR Main System Unit—Models MSU140, MSU250, MSU480 and MSU440Z.
• IR Sensors/Keypads—Models WS120, TS120, MS120, MS220, CS120, and the IntelliPad®.
• IR Flashers—Models MF1, MF2, MF1VF, MF2VF and the IRB1.
An IR sensor expansion hub, Model IRH610, is available to provide additional sensor inputs to
your system.
CONTENTS
• WS120 Sensor
• Decora Insert
• Decora faceplate
• Removable Connector
• Device Mounting Screws (2)
• Faceplate Spaces (2)
2
FEATURES ANd BENEFITS
The WS120 offers a number of improvements over other wall-mount IR sensors.
• Wideband High-Fidelity Design enables operation with virtually any brand of equipment
• Patent Pending Universal Noise Suppression Design enables operation in virtually any environ-
ment: near plasma and LCD displays, compact uorescent lights, and indirect sunlight
• Excellent IR receiving range— you get 20’ to 35’ of remote control range (depending upon the
strength of your handheld remote)
• Small size of only 2-3/4” wide by 4-1/2” high by 1-1/4” deep — ts in a one-gang box
• Printed circuit board design uses surface mount technology (SMT), assuring high reliability
• Ideal for both home and commercial installations
• Two year parts and labor limited warranty
3
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 1-305-238-4373
INSTALLATION CONSIdERATIONS
The WS120 is a Decora-style module and is designed to use standard Decora-style cover plates
and mounting hardware. Decora cover plates (up to 6-gang) with color-matched plate screws are
available from your Niles dealer.
TOOLS REQUIREd
• 1/8” Standard Slotted Screwdriver
• 1/4” Standard Slotted Screwdriver
• Wire Stripper
TypE OF CABLE
The WS120 connects to the Niles infrared main systems unit or IRH610 sensor expansion hub
with an individual home run of CAT-5 cable. When running wires inside walls, most states and
municipalities in the U.S. specify that you must use a special type of wire. Usually, the requirement
is that the wire has a specific “CL” fire rating, such as “CL-2” or “CL-3”. Consult your Niles dealer,
building contractor, or local building and inspection department if unsure about which type of wire is
best for your application.
WS120 MOUNTING LOCATION
Locating the WS120 in the center of a room usually results in the most even IR receiving coverage,
especially if the room is square shaped. Rooms that are L-shaped or long and narrow require
more careful consideration. With these types of rooms, installing the WS120 closest to the primary
location of the user will ensure the best performance.
4
INSTALLATION CONSIdERATIONS (continued)
RECEIvING RANGE ANd pICkUp ANGLE
The receiving range of the WS120 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 20’ to a maximum of about 35’.
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 WS120. The IR pickup
angle of the WS120 is 30° off-axis (horizontal and vertical) at 25’.
JUNCTION BOxES
The mounting depth of the WS120 is 1-1/4”. When installed, the unit extends 3/4” behind the
sheetrock wall (assuming 1/2” sheetrock). Suitable electrical boxes are available from your Niles
dealer or local electrical supply company.
dO NOT INSTALL ThE WS120 INTO ELECTRICAL BOxES WITh 110 vOLT dEvICES.
Some states or municipalities allow devices such as the WS120 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 connected to the WS120 can act as an “antenna” for
electrical noise. Locating the WS120 cable too close to a light dimmer or switch may interfere with
5
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 1-305-238-4373
INSTALLATION CONSIdERATIONS (continued)
the WS120. If you must locate the WS120 near electrical devices, install it in a separate metal
electrical box, ground the box to the electrical system ground, and route the WS120 cable several
feet away from all electrical wiring.
AvOIdING INTERFERENCE
The WS120 is designed to work in most applications including plasma and LCD displays and in ar-
eas where CFL lighting and indirect sunlight are present. You should avoid locating the WS120 near
potential sources of electrical or optical noise, such as light dimmers or low-voltage lights. Avoid
locating the WS120 near any potential sources of electrical or optical noise, such as light dimmers,
low-voltage lights, and neon lights.
AvOIdING OpTICAL FEEdBACk
If installing the WS120 in the same room as an IR flasher, it is possible for the flasher’s IR output
to be picked-up by the WS120. This effect, known as an optical feedback loop, can cause erratic
operation. Optical feedback is similar to acoustical 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. Re-position the asher(s) and/or the sensor.
2. Use Niles MF1 or MF2 ashers and cover them with the supplied IR blockers.
6
INSTALLATION CONSIdERATIONS (continued)
Niles IR
Flasher
MSU250
WS120 IR Sensor
Stereo Receiver
12V DC power supply
(supplied with the MSU250
Main System Unit) plugged
into an unswitched AC
outlet powers the system
12V DC Power Supply
(Not Supplied) plugged
into the Switched Outlet
Niles Stock# FG01035
Power, IR Data, and Power
Status Signal via CAT-5 cable
Figure 1 Wiring Diagram (Typical installation with an
MSU250 Main System Unit)
7
NILES AUDIO CORPORATION – 1-800-BUY-HIFI – 1-305-238-4373
(a) Electrical Box
(b) CAT-5 cable
(c) WS120 IR Receiver (supplied)
(d) Snap-on Color Insert (supplied)
(e) Device Screws (2 supplied)
(f) Decora Faceplate (supplied)
(g) Faceplate Screws (2 supplied)
b
d
c
e
e
f
g
g
a
Figure 2
WS120 Parts Guide
INSTALLATION CONSIdERATIONS (continued)
8
Figure 4 This color code is based on the industry standard T568A coding for the RJ45 connector.
When connecting the WS120 to the Niles MultiZone Keypad that have IR-Sensor connection
observe this pin configuration.
INSTALLATION CONSIdERATIONS (continued)
USING ThE WS120 WITh NILES MULTIZONE kEypAdS
The WS120 is fully compatible with the Niles MultiZone Keypad that have an IR-Sensor
connection, follow the wiring instructions in Figure 4. For specific information see your Niles
MultiZone Keypad manual.
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