Circuit knowledge

Automatic Switch For Audio Power Amplifier. Circuit of an automatic switch for audio power amplifier stage is presented here. The circuit uses stereo preamplifier output to detect the presence of audio to switch the audio power amplifier on only when audio is present.

The circuit thus helps curtail power wastage. IC1 is used as an inverting adder. The input signals from left and right channels are combined to form a common signal for IC2, which is used as an open loop comparator. IC3 (NE556) is a dual timer. Its second section, i.e., IC3(b), is configured as monostable multivibrator. Output of IC3(b) is used to switch the power amplifier on or off through a Darlington pair formed by transistors T1 and T2. IC3(a) is used to trigger the monostable multivibrator whenever an input signal is sensed.

Under ‘no signal’ condition, pin 3 of IC2 is negative with respect to its pin 2. Hence the output of IC2 is low and as a result output of IC3(a) is high. Since there is no trigger at pin 8 of IC3(b), the output of IC3(b) will be low and the amplifier will be off. When an input singal is applied to IC1, IC2 converts the inverted sum of the input signals into a rectangular waveform by comparing it with a constant voltage which can be controlled by varying potentiometer VR1. When the output of IC2 is high, output pin 5 of IC3 goes low, thus triggering the monostable multivibrator. As soon as the audio input to IC1 stops, pin 5 of IC3 goes high and pin 1 of IC3 discharges through capacitor C3, thus resetting the monostable multivibrator.

Hence, as long as input signals are applied, the amplifier remains ‘on.’ When the input signals are removed, i.e., when signal level is zero, the amplifier switches off after the mono flip-flop delay period determined by the values of resistor R8 and capacitor C3. If no input signals are sensed within this time, the amplifier turns off—else it remains on. Power supply for the circuit can be obtained from the power supply of the amplifier. Hence, the circuit can be permanently fitted in the amplifier box itself. The main switch of the amplifier should be always kept on. Resistors R1 and R2 are used to divide single voltage supply into two equal parts.