Why does the amplifier go into protection mode?

The answer is that something is going wrong in our Car Audio system, and the amplifier goes into standby mode, to protect not only itself, but all the components of the system, to warn us that we must immediately carry out a rigorous check. , something that at Genius Audio, we know very well. 

What objective does the protect function serve?

Our amplifiers are designed to enter protection mode, so that the Car Audio systems do not suffer unnecessary damage, which can be avoided by simply checking the different components of the Car Audio system and carrying out the corresponding repairs, replacements or correctives, to continue enjoying the desired sound. 

Regarding why the amplifier protects itself, the truth is that it has a control with which you can verify how the different sections of your Car Audio system are performing, working as a circuit for protection, in case any of the components does not comply with the parameters or values required for proper operation. 

When a change that could potentially cause damage to a Car Audio system is detected, the amplifier's protection mode is activated, giving the order for the equipment to turn off, entering the stand-by phase.

Depending on the devices you have installed on your Car Audio system, you may have either one protection circuit in the power stage, or several protection circuits divided into different functions. We will always have one in the amplifier, because it is the device that consumes the greatest amount of energy from the power source and that will also be where the audio output problems arise. 

How to activate or deactivate protection mode?  

It all comes down to checking the different electrical connections that may be the cause of why the amplifier is shielding, as you may have multiple large differences in impedance or power supply. Therefore, the main step is to disconnect the amplification from the power source. It is as if we were resetting the entire equipment, but there are other steps that must be taken into consideration to find the cause why the amplifier made the decision to go into protection mode. 

If we see the word 'protect' on the display screen of an amplifier, this means that the receiver (amplifier) will turn off automatically after a few seconds, since it is being protected, but why is the amplifier being protected?. The reasons may be: 

• A problem with the electrical charge, either due to overvoltage or the appearance of a power failure. The first thing we should try is to disconnect the power connection from the power, wait half an hour and reconnect it, to see how it behaves and if the fault has been corrected.
• It is also a good idea to check if the amplifier is being ventilated properly and that the air passages have not been blocked. If this is the case, remove what is blocking the air inlets, since this causes overheating. 
• Another aspect we must take a look at is the connection of the speakers, tweeters and subwoofer by disconnecting the cables and making sure they are well coiled and connected at both ends. 

Steps to activate or deactivate protection mode

The first thing that should be connected is the front speaker. Secondly, we plug in the power cable and turn on the receiver. We increase the volume and let it run for half an hour, so that it reaches its average performance. Next, the other components should be connected, one by one, to test them until we find which one causes the protection mode. 

• Another problem that may arise is that the speaker, tweeter or subwoofer cables are worn out, or come into contact with another terminal, so they must be replaced and corrected as well as the connection setup to resolve the problem. 
• Lower the volume level and check the impedance. In case one of the speakers, tweeters or subwoofer shows an impedance lower than the normal range, which is indicated in the rear section, next to the speaker connections, leave it disconnected, because evidently this is the section of the Car Audio system that is causing the amplifier to go into protection mode.

This is why low impedance speakers have to be replaced with ones that have the correct impedance, since this will not only produce many distortions in the sound, but the speaker may be irreparably damaged, in addition to being the cause of the amplifier is protected, activating the circuit that will turn it off. 

If after carrying out these checks, the word 'protect' disappears from the amplifier, the problem will have been solved, but if not, our recommendation is to go to an authorized Genius service center, so that an expert can find the problem and its solution. 

Conclusions

 There are many causes that can be the basis for why the amplifier is protected, but all of them are related to fluctuations in the power supply or the impedance levels of the speakers, tweeters or subwoofers that make up our car audio system. 

The amplifier's protection mode is the circuit that is activated to prevent our equipment from suffering significant damage, and as we have explained in this post, there are a number of checks that you must carry out to verify if the problem is corrected. If not, going to a Genius dealer is the best solution, because they will provide you with the necessary technical advice and recommend the best solution.

You can also be interested in:

What is a subwoofer?

Car Audio for Beginners: Everything you need to know

What are tweeters and how to get the most out of them