Rack Mount Gear FAQ

1. What is the frequency of my USM16-MC USM16-BP.
2. How do I know if my amp will work outside of the United States? 120V / 240V?
3. With all the power amp classifications, there may be terms you are unfamiliar with, so this document contains a brief description of Carvin's professional power amplifier designs and terminology.
4. How should I box my amp to send it in for repair?
5. What is the AC Cord wire gauge I should use with my amp?
6. Does Carvin offer a trade in for the wireless that will not work after June, 2010 because of the frequency used?
7. What is the Thiele?
8. Can a Carvin Tech Modify my amps if I send them in?
9. What is Moisture and Corrosion, and why is that bad?
10. What do I do if I get Dust or Sand inside my gear?
11. What do I do if my amp gets struck by Lightning?
12. When I tap the top of my amp the signal goes in and out, what do I do?

1. What is the frequency of my USM16-MC USM16-BP.
Click this link for a list of all 16 Channels and their corresponding frequencies.

USM16-MC/BP
Added: 3-22-2010 Revised: 3-22-2010 back to top

2. How do I know if my amp will work outside of the United States? 120V / 240V?
All Carvin amps have a label that will tell you if it will work in other countries, you just have to know what to look for. If the label read 90-240 50-60Hz it will work everywhere. If on the other hand it only says 120VAC 60H it will only work on a few select countries, The United States, Japan, Brazil, we use 120V AC 60Hz, other countries like China, Russia, Germany, UK, Most Africa Continent, France, Spain, use 240V 50Hz.
Added: 9-11-2008 Revised: 10-17-2008 back to top

3. With all the power amp classifications, there may be terms you are unfamiliar with, so this document contains a brief description of Carvin's professional power amplifier designs and terminology.

Click this link for a Description of the most common terms.
Carvin Professional Power Amp Design.PDF
Added: 1-26-2010 Revised: 1-27-2010 Generic FAQ back to top

4. How should I box my amp to send it in for repair?
The amp should be boxed up in its original packaging. If that is not possible, then box it up as best you can. Make sure to leave a protective cushion between the amp and the box. During shipping the amp will be exposed to rough handling. If improperly boxed, the unit will be damaged. Carvin is not responsible for shipping damage due to improper boxing. Remember to fill out your RMA form.
Added: 10-21-2008 Revised: 11-10-2008 Generic FAQ back to top

5. What is the AC Cord wire gauge I should use with my amp?
Click on link,

AC Cord Wire Gauge.PDF
AC Cord Wire Gauge Rev B.PDF
Added: 10-7-2008 Revised: 3-19-2010 Generic FAQ back to top

6. Does Carvin offer a trade in for the wireless that will not work after June, 2010 because of the frequency used?
Carvin offers a 100 Dollar credit towards a replacement system, which are in the 638-698Mhz range(NEW), older is (700-800Mhz). You don't have to send in your old wireless. The credit applies to any owner not just the original owner. A serial number must be provided. Valid until Jan, 2013. Please call Carvin Sales at 800-854-2235
Added: 2-8-2010 Revised: 2-8-2010 Generic FAQ back to top

7. What is the Thiele?
The Thiele specifications are a set of parameters used to describe the audio characteristics of a speaker driver.
Added: 8-26-2009 Generic FAQ back to top

8. Can a Carvin Tech Modify my amps if I send them in?
No. Carvin Technicians are not permitted to MOD (modify) any amplifier. It is against company policy. Carvin does not repair modified amplifiers. If a modification is found during a repair, then the component values will be returned to factory specs (if it is not rejected).
Added: 9-11-2008 Revised: 11-10-2008 Generic FAQ back to top

9. What is Moisture and Corrosion, and why is that bad?
Moisture is the presence of water in trace amounts. It can cause rot in wood and corrosion in metals, both of which are the main materials in your amplifier and cabinet. When moisture goes inside the amp it can corrode the input and output jacks (causing intermittent crackling, popping, and volume loss), damage the cables inside the amp, and short traces on the circuit boards. If corrosion is present on any of the jacks, the best thing to do is to replace them. For light corrosion, applying contact cleaner to the jacks will help.
Added: 9-11-2008 Revised: 11-10-2008 Generic FAQ back to top

10. What do I do if I get Dust or Sand inside my gear?
Dust and/or sand should never go inside the amp. If any debris goes inside try to clean it out as best you can. Dust and sand can block the fan and vents, causing the amp to overheat, and they can also short components inside. Any debris inside the chassis will also absorb moisture and cause corrosion to form on chassis and circuitry.
Added: 9-11-2008 Revised: 11-10-2008 Generic FAQ back to top

11. What do I do if my amp gets struck by Lightning?
Lightning can cause extreme and intermittent failures to all electrical equipment. Most of these issues are very difficult to repair and usually return after time. In the case of a direct hit, the amp will likely not work well ever again. If there was a black out for a few seconds and the amp does not power back ON, check the fuse. For a replacement fuse click on "Fuse and Bias Values" in the FAQ Categories menu.
Added: 9-11-2008 Revised: 11-10-2008 Generic FAQ back to top

12. When I tap the top of my amp the signal goes in and out, what do I do?
This is a characteristic of something inside the amp being loose. In most cases it is a loose connector, but it can also be dirty or corroded contacts, a bad ribbon cable, or broken solder joints. To check this, take the amp out of the enclosure and verify that all harnesses and connectors are installed correctly. Disconnect and reconnect the ribbon cables. Power on your amp and verify that it is working properly. If the problem persists, you may have to replace a connector and do further troubleshooting. A cable can work its way out from the vibration of a speaker. For a replacement cable click on "Parts".
Added: 9-11-2008 Revised: 11-10-2008 Generic FAQ back to top