HMEC 460 Instructions for use
Contents Safety instructions ...................................................................................................................... 3 The HMEC 460 headset ............................................................................................................... 5 Delivery includes .......................................................................................................................... 7 Overview of operating elements .....................................................
Care and maintenance .............................................................................................................. 23 Cleaning the headset ............................................................................................................................... 23 Replacing the wind shield ....................................................................................................................... 23 Replacing the earpads ......................................................
Safety instructions y y y y y Please read these instructions carefully and completely before using the headset. Make these instructions easily accessible to all users at all times. Always include these instructions when passing the headset on to third parties. During flight operation, do not use the headset for telephone calls. With the NoiseGard active noise compensation switched on, typical aircraft sounds (for example, those from engines, propellers, warning alarms, etc.) may sound different to you.
y Protect the headset from humidity. Only use a slightly damp cloth to clean the headset. For information on how to clean the headset, contact your Sennheiser agent. Intended use of the headset Intended use includes: y having read and understood these instructions, especially the chapter “Safety instructions”. y using the headset in helicopters, propeller and turboprop aircraft and within the operating conditions and limitations described in these instructions.
The HMEC 460 headset The HMEC 460 is a pilot headset with closed ear protector headphones and NoiseGard active noise compensation for use in helicopters, propeller and turboprop aircraft.
y y y y y y y y y y 6 Adaption to the aircraft intercom system via mono/stereo switch Separate volume control for left and right channel Boom switch for microphone boom left/right position With the NoiseGard active noise compensation switched off, the headset can be used as a conventional headset “Audio-In” signals from the 3.5 mm jack socket mute automatically in the presence of intercom and/or RT traffic 2.5 mm jack socket for connecting a mobile telephone 3.
Delivery includes 1 HMEC 460 headset 1 audio cable (1.4 m) with 2 x 2.5 mm stereo jack for compatible mobile telephones 1 audio cable (1.4 m) with 2 x 3.
Overview of operating elements Headset Headband padding Earpads Quick-fixing device Headband Microphone Operating control 5.25 mm jack plug (PJ-068 equivalent) XLR-3 plug ¼” (6.35 mm) jack plug 8 2.5 mm jack socket 3.
Connecting cable 1 5.25 mm jack plug (PJ-068 equivalent) for connecting the microphone 1 ¼” (6.35 mm) jack plug for connecting the headphones 1 XLR-3 plug for connecting the power supply for the NoiseGard electronics Preparing the headset for use Connecting the headphones and the microphone To connect the headset to the intercom: 왘 Connect the jack plugs and to the corresponding jack sockets of your intercom.
Powering the NoiseGard active noise compensation There are three options for powering the NoiseGard active noise compensation: 1. Connection to the on-board DC power supply system (12–35 VDC) 2. Connection to the cigarette ligther socket (12–35 VDC) via an adapter cable (optional accessory) 3. Power supply via two AA batteries (not included) inserted in the operating control The supply voltage for the NoiseGard system is processed by the in-line electronics in the connecting cable.
Connecting the headset to the on-board DC power supply system To power the NoiseGard electronics, you can connect the headset to the on-board DC power supply system (12–35 VDC). 왘 Have a 3-pole XLR socket (optional accessories) be mounted by a technician qualified to perform this type of installation. 왘 Connect the XLR-3 plug to the 3-pole XLR socket.
To connect the headset via an adapter cable: 왘 Connect the XLR-3 plug of the headset to the XLR-3 socket of the adapter cable. 왘 Connect the plug or right-angled jack plug of the adapter cable to the cigarette lighter socket. Powering the NoiseGard electronics via two (rechargeable) batteries 왘 Open the cover of the battery compartment on the operating control. 왘 Insert two 1.5 V AA alkaline-manganese batteries (IEC LR 6) or two 1.2 V AA NiMH rechargeable batteries. Observe correct polarity.
Activating the “auto shut-off” function The battery-saving “auto shut-off” function automatically switches the NoiseGard electronics off when the headset is disconnected from the intercom or when the aircraft avionics are switched off. The headset is delivered ex-works with the “auto shut-off” function deactivated. To activate the “auto shut-off” function: 왘 Open the cover of the battery compartment on the operating control. 왘 Set the switch to the position “ASO”.
DANGER! Danger of accident due to reduced attention! Making telephone calls or operating the mobile telephone limits your attention and may cause accidents. 왘 During flight operation, do not use the headset for telephone calls! Note: The latest information on cell phone compatibility can be downloaded from the HMEC 460 product page at www.sennheiser.com. 왘 Connect the audio cable to the 2.5 mm jack socket on the operating control and to the corresponding 2.5 mm jack socket on your mobile telephone.
Connecting an additional audio player The operating control has a 3.5 mm jack socket , allowing you to connect an additional audio player. The required audio cable fitted with two 3.5 mm jack plugs is included. DANGER! Danger of accident due to reduced attention! Listening to music or operating an audio device limits your attention and may cause accidents.
Adjusting the headset Adjusting the headband For good noise attenuation and best possible comfort, the headband has to be adjusted to properly fit your head: Note: Make sure not to squeeze any connecting cable when adjusting the headband. Squeezing can damage the connecting cables. 왘 Wear the headset so that the headband runs over the top of your head.
Rotating the microphone boom The microphone boom can be worn on either side of the mouth. 왘 Loosen the quick-fixing device . 쐋 왘 Rotate the microphone boom by 180°. 왘 Tighten the quick-fixing device . Changing the left and right stereo channel The operating control is fitted with a boom switch . The position “R” or “L” of the boom switch corresponds to the position of the microphone on the left or right side of the mouth.
Positioning the microphone towards the corner of the mouth The microphone boom is flexible, so you can position it individually. 왘 Bend the microphone boom so that the microphone is placed at the corner of the mouth. Maintain a distance of approx. 2 cm between microphone and mouth.
Using the headset Switching between mono and stereo mode The operating control is fitted with a mono/stereo switch, which allows you to switch between mono and stereo mode to suit the aircraft radio / audio panel / intercom installation. If the audio panel, intercom system or radio installation in your aircraft is mono: 왘 Set the mono/stereo switch on the operating control to position “ ” (mono). The RT and or intercom will be heard in both ears.
– Setting the mono/stereo switch to “ ” (mono) when the aircraft panel is wired as a stereo system will result in you hearing only the left channel of audio from the panel in both sides of the headset. Depending on how the panel is configured you may not hear some sounds from the panel in this case. Refer to the aircraft operating handbook or a qualified avionics engineer.
Switching NoiseGard on/off 왘 Set the NoiseGard ON/OFF switch ON: to the desired position: “ON” or “OFF”. NoiseGard is switched on. The LED lights up, indicating the battery status (see page 12) or power supply via the on-board DC power supply system. OFF: NoiseGard is switched off. The LED goes off. With the NoiseGard active noise compensation switched off, the headset can be used as a conventional headset. Attaching the cable clip The headphone cable can be fixed by means of the cable clip.
Folding up the headphones For easy and space-saving transportation, the earcups can be folded up and tucked between the headband. To fold up the headphones: 왘 Grasp both earcups. 왘 Fold up the earcups and tuck them between the headband. To unfold the headphones: 왘 Grasp both earcups. 왘 Pull the earcups down and away from the headband.
Care and maintenance Cleaning the headset CAUTION! Danger of short-circuit due to the ingress of water! Water entering the housing of the headset can cause a short-circuit and damage the electronics. 왘 Only use a soft, slightly damp cloth to clean the headset. Do not use any solvents or cleansing agents. 왘 Use a soft, slightly damp cloth to clean the headset from time to time. 왘 If the headset is very dirty, use a cloth dampened with mild, soapy water.
Replacing the earpads To replace a damaged earpad, proceed as follows: 왘 Hold the headset on the outside of the earcup and on the headband . 왘 Grasp the edge of the earpad behind the earcup as shown and peel it up and away from the earcup. 왘 Slide the new earpad onto the earcup. Repeat for the other earcup. Replacing the headband padding To replace a damaged headband padding, proceed as follows: 왘 Open the snaps on the headband padding and remove it.
If a problem occurs... Problem No active noise compensation Possible cause Possible solution The NoiseGard electronics are switched off. Set the NoiseGard ON/OFF switch to “ON”. The batteries/ rechargeable batteries are low. Check to see if the LED is lit yellow. If the LED is lit red, replace the batteries/rechargeable batteries. The XLR-3 plug is not connected to the power source. Connect the XLR-3 plug to the power source. The aircraft fuse is defective. Replace the aircraft fuse.
Problem Possible cause Possible solution Active noise compensation but very low volume communication The volume is set too low. Increase the volume of your headset. Active noise compensation but reduced intelligibility The microphone jack plug is not connected correctly. Communications in one ear only You are receiving a mono Set the mono/stereo switch to “ ” source but the headset is (mono). set to stereo operation. The headphone jack plug Connect the headphone jack plug.
Accessories/spare parts Product name Product description Cat. No.
Valuable information on NoiseGard The NoiseGard principle One of the greatest stress factors today is noise. Research has shown that noise affects the nervous system, and can cause tiredness, poor concentration, irritability and tension. Of even greater concern is the permanent damage to hearing that can result from noise at high levels. This problem concerns pilots in particular. Cockpit noise amounts to about 80 dB(A) in jets and to 90 up to 97 dB(A) in turboprops.
NoiseGard active noise compensation is achieved by generating a signal identical in sound pressure level but exactly reversed in phase to the noise signal, the effect being that the out-of-phase signal cancels most of the noise signal. Active noise compensation is accomplished in the following manner: Each earcup includes a microphone, a feedback control circuit, and a transducer to reproduce both the communication and the noise cancelling signal.
Specifications Headphones Transducer principle Ear coupling Frequency response Nominal impedance active/passive Attenuation (active/passive) Contact pressure dynamic circumaural, closed 20–20,000 Hz 400/300 Ω, mono 600/600 Ω, stereo > 25–40 dB approx. 8 N Microphone incl. preamplifier Transducer principle Frequency response Max. sound pressure level Min.
General data Connecting cable Weight without cable Power supply for NoiseGard Fuse Connectors Controls Temperature range Operating time 1.5 m, single-sided 370 g 12–35 VDC 1.5 A fuse 5.25 mm jack plug (PJ-068 equivalent) for microphone, ¼” (6.35 mm) jack plug for headphones, XLR-3 plug for NoiseGard mono/stereo switch on/off switch for NoiseGard LED for operation and battery status indicator volume control for headphones operation: -15 °C to +55 °C storage: -55 °C to +55 °C approx. 30 hours with two 1.
Connector assignment XLR-3 plug 1 Power supply for NoiseGard (12–35 VDC+) 2 Ground 3 Not assigned! 5.25 mm jack plug (PJ-068 equivalent) 1 Not assigned! 2 Microphone High 3 Microphone Low ¼” (6.
Manufacturer Declarations Warranty The original Sennheiser product you have purchased is covered by a warranty of 10 years. The warranty period begins on the date of purchase of brand new, unused products by the first end user. Please retain your sales receipt (or your warranty certificate) as proof of purchase. Unless you submit proof of purchase, which will be verified by your local Sennheiser service partner, you will be obliged to pay for any repairs that are carried out.
y any modification of Sennheiser products effected by you or a third party, unless Sennheiser has given its prior written consent to the nature and extent of the modification y faults due to force majeure y faults of which the purchaser was already aware at the time of purchase All warranty claims become void if the product is tampered with by unauthorised persons or repair shops.
Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG Am Labor 1 30900 Wedemark, Germany Phone +49 (5130) 600 0 Fax +49 (5130) 600 300 www.sennheiser.com Printed in Germany Publ.
