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Table of contents

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 2

EMC/EMI & CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY 2

PACKAGE CONTENT 4

STRUCTURE 4

PRESET SELECTION 5

BANK SELECTION 5

SILENT TUNING (MUTE) 5

LOOPS DIRECT SWITCHING MODE 6

PRESET PROGRAMMING 6

LOOP (LOOP1 TO LOOP4) AND VOLUME PROGRAMMING 6

AMP SETTINGS PROGRAMMING 6

MIDI PROGRAM NO. PROGRAMMING 7

PRESET’S COPYING 7

SETTINGS 7

LOOP BUTTON SETTINGS 7

SWITCH BUTTON SETTINGS 8

MIDI CHANNEL SETTING 8

SECOND MIDI DEVICE CONTROL 9

EFFECTS TO LOOP1 TO LOOP4 LOOPS CONNECTING 9

AMP’S CONTROL CONNECTING 10

WAH-PAD CONNECTING 11

SECOND GSC CONNECTING 11

DISPLAYING FIRMWARE VERSION 12

SIGNAL’S PATH DIAGRAM 12

TECHNICAL PARAMETERS 12

MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART 13

BEFORE CALLING A SERVICE 13

DIAGRAM OF DEVICES CONNECTABLE TO THE GSC 14

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Important safety instructions

1. Read these instructions and follow them.2. Prevent this device against moisture or spilling liquid inside.3. Clean only with dry cloth.4. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves,

or other apparatus producing a lot of heat5. Protect the power supply cord from being walked on or pinched.6. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.7. Unplug this device during lighting storms or when unused for long periods of time.8. Do no open device or its power supply casing.9. The power supply adapter should be installed in the socket outlet and disconnection

of the adapter should be easily accessible.10. To completely disconnect from AC mains disconnect the power supply adapter from

the AC receptacle.

EMC/EMI & Certificate of conformityEMC/EMIThis device has been designed and manufactured to conform with directives and standards in the

field of safety operations and electromagnetic interference.This device uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in

accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However inspite of performing below standards there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particularinstallation. If this device does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception which can bedetermined by turning the device on and off, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference byone or more of the following operations:

● Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.● Increase the separation between the device and receiver.● Connect the device into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver

is connected.● Contact with the manufacturer (see: Before calling a service).● Consult the dealer for help.

Certificate of ConformityELZAB S.A., ul. Kruczkowskiego 39, 41-813 Zabrze, Poland,hereby declares on own responsibility that the following product:

GSC – Guitar System Controllerthat is covered by this certificate and marked with CE 07 label conforms with following standards:PN-EN 60065:2004 Safety requirements for mains operated electronic and related

apparatus for household and similar general usePN-EN 55103-1:1998 Product family standard for audio, video, audio-visual and

entertainment lighting control apparatus for professional use.Part 1: Emission.

PN-EN 55103-2:1998 Product family standard for audio, video, audio-visual andentertainment lighting control apparatus for professional use.Part 2: Immunity.

With reference to regulations in following directives:73/23/EEC, 2004/108/EEC

Issued in Zabrze, May 2007Jerzy Biernat

President of the ELZAB S.A. Board of Directors

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Dear Customer,Congratulations for choosing our Guitar System Controller!Thanks to functionality not offered by other similar products and high quality of manufacturing and

sound parameters it will enable you quick and without distortions switching effects, pre-amps and amps aswell as MIDI devices.

So simple switching previously programmed settings of all these devices and parameters createsnew opportunity for you to fully take advantage of the equipment collected by you.

Guitar System Controller (GSC) is the programmable switching device of effects’ loops (looper),the amp’s switcher by footswitch input and the MIDI devices’ controller in one. By pressing just a singlefootswitch it enables:

- to activate selected effects (connected to LOOP1 up to LOOP4) and to select the full or lowereddefined by analog knob volume,

- to set the amp channel (or the pre-amp one),- to set by Program Change command the MIDI device’s program No. of work (e.g. an effects’

processor).

There are five presets (numbered from 1 to 5) in the each of 6 banks (numbered from A to F). TheGSC is equipped with the function of programming presets and the copy function of already existingpresets. The copy function enables quick “organising” presets in banks to avoid switching between banksduring the particular song is played.To avoid the incidental changing of the presets’ settings the GSC is equipped with the memory access lock.The GSC is equipped with the “Settings” function which allows to select the mode of working (e.g.controlling of external devices) and this function enables to set the parameters connected with MIDItransmission.

Basic characteristics:

- high impedance input (identical with a tube amp characteristics) based on FET transistor,- independent guitar’s TUNER output with the silent tuning function,- four loops for connecting single effect pedals (stomp boxes) or serially connected stomp boxes

with skipping (relay bypassing) switched off effects,- four outputs 9V DC supplying effect pedals (totally max. 160 mA with overloading indication),- volume change module (full or lowered defined by the analog knob) to apply in the

solo/background playing mode,- 2 outputs (2 lines each, latching type) for amp's switching by footswitch input,- MIDI output setting the program No. of e.g. an effects’ processor (giving possibility to control

independently two MIDI units by one of their THRU outputs),- 5 footswitches to select presets,- 1 footswitch with a definable function (choice: loops direct switching mode, switching to the

previous bank, changing the volume or MUTE),- very silent footswitches (backlighted),- LINK connector for connecting the second GSC device to form a set with double possibilities

(working in two modes: “remote” or “nearby”),- a possibility to connect a wah-wah effect pad (wah-pad) to control the system by placing foot on it,- the main signal output giving possibility to connect parallely several amps using a long cable

(10 meters) without signal quality loss,- external power supply with a long ( 3.5 meters) and flexible cable which eliminates a power

supply presence on the floor and provides increased safety level.

4

Package content

Guitar System Controller unit - Product code 00519GSC power supply adapter - Product code 01597 - for Europa market, or

Product code 01598 - for US marketTwo 9V 40 cm cables - Product code 00805Two 9V 80 cm cables - Product code 00806User’s Manual

Structure

1 - Preset footswitches from 1 to 5

2 - OUT 9V DC output’s overloading indicator (effect’s power supply)

3 - Voltage failure indicator (voltage below 11V or above 15V)

4 - Activated loops’ (LOOP1 to LOOP4) indicators (lit when a loop is ON)

5 - SW1 to SW4 outputs’ status indicators

6 - Presets indicators

7 - LOOP programming button

8 - Banks indicators

9 - SWITCH programming button

10 - Memory access LOCK indicator

11 - MIDI programming button

12 - DEF footswitch with definable function

13 - Lowered volume control analog knob

14 - Memory access lock switch

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1

2

3 45

67

89

1011

13

14

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1 - MIDI OUT – MIDI output connector

2 - IN – guitar input connector

3 - TUNER – guitar tuner connector

4 - OUT – amp’s signal output connector

5 - LINK – the second GSC (to form a set) and/or the wah-pad connector

6 - SEND – effect’s loop output connector

7 - OUT 9V DC – effect’s power supply connector

8 - RETURN – effect’s loop input connector

9 - OUT SW1&2 – output connector for amp's switching by footswitch input

10 - POWER 12V DC – 12V power supply connector

Preset selectionPress shortly (less then 1 second) the preset footswitch numbered from 1 to 5 (the selectedpreset’s indicator will be lit).

Bank selectionPress and keep (more then 1 second) the preset footswitch numbered from 1 to 5 or the DEFfootswitch (bank indicators: continuos lit means A, B or C bank enabled, blinking means D, E or Fbank enabled).

REMARK:During switching banks adequate preset will be enabled for 1 second and later it will return to thepreviously selected preset. It is recommended to program presets in banks in such a way that allnecessary presets used in a particular song will be located into just one bank or it is recommendedto use DEF footswitch for switching between latest used banks.

Silent tuning (MUTE)Press at the same time preset footswitch No. 1 and No. 2 (all presets’ indicators will start to blink).In case of using DEF footswitch as a silent tuning one (see: LOOP button settings) press DEFfootswitch.To exit from MUTE press the preset footswitch intended to be used.

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34

56

78

910

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In case of using DEF footswitch as a silent tuning one (see: LOOP button settings) press thepreset footswitch intended to be used or press DEF footswitch (return to the previous preset).

Loops direct switching mode

Set DEF footswitch as the loop direct mode switch (see: LOOP button settings).Select adequate preset and press shortly DEF footswitch (preset indicator starts to blink andLOOP indicator starts to light).Following pressing any preset footswitch will effect in consequent enabling and disabling (toggling)loops numbered from 1 to 4 and the volume change.Press DEF footswitch to return from the loops direct switching mode (preset indicator starts to lightand LOOP indicator stops to light).The preset modified in this way will not be saved (next calling of the preset will restore itsparameters set in the memory). It is possible to save such modified preset by unblocking memoryaccess lock and saving parameters by pressing LOOP button; as in the point: Loop (LOOP1 toLOOP4) and volume setting.

Preset programmingA preset is defined by:

1) enabled effects (in LOOP1 to LOOP4) and volume: full or lowered defined by actual position ofVOLUME knob;

2) amp’s setting (channel and/or reverb) controlled by SW1 to SW4 outputs;3) MIDI program No. selected to transmit through MIDI OUT output.

Loop (LOOP1 to LOOP4) and volume programminga) Select the bank and the preset.b) Memory access lock switch to UNLOCK position (LOCK indicator not lit).c) Press LOOP button (LOOP and preset indicators start to blink).d) By presets footswitches set loops (effects) which should be active (if any of LOOP1 to LOOP4

indicators lit mean these effects are activated). Set volume by No. 5 preset footswitch: not litVOLUME indicator means full volume and lit one means volume definable by position of the knob.

e) Press LOOP button to save. Quick blinking of LOOP and selected preset indicators confirmsaving.

In case of necessity of returning without saving settings while the point d) it should be pressedSWITCH or MIDI button (LOOP indicator stops to light and preset indicator stops to blink).

REMARK:In case of not plugging in a connector to a particular effect’s loop RETURN the signal will skip sucha loop despite of activating this loop. It allows to use presets despite of not connecting effects tosuch a loop.

Amp settings programminga) Connect the amp with the GSC (see: Amp’s control connection).

b) Select bank and preset.

c) Memory access lock switch to UNLOCK position (LOCK indicator not lit).

d) Press SWITCH button (SWITCH and preset indicators start to blink).

e) By presets footswitches set the selected amp settings (active channel and/or reverb on/off).SW1 to SW4 indicators signalise amp settings.

f) Press SWITCH button to save. Quick blinking of SWITCH and selected preset indicators confirmsaving.

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In case of necessity of returning without saving settings while the point e) it should be pressedLOOP or MIDI button (SWITCH indicator stops to light and preset indicator stops to blink).

MIDI program No. programminga) Connect MIDI cable between MIDI OUT output connector and MIDI IN input connector of the

controlled device.

b) Switch on controlled device and set the MIDI channel if not activated earlier (see: MIDI channelsetting).

c) Select bank and preset.

d) Memory access lock switch to UNLOCK position (LOCK indicator not lit).

e) Press MIDI button (MIDI and preset indicators will start to blink).

d) The No. 1 preset button decreases the program No. by 10, the No. 2 preset button decreases the program No. by 1,

the No. 3 preset button sets the MIDI program No. to No. 1, the No. 4 preset button increases the program No. by 1, the No. 5 preset button increases the program No. by 10.Accessible program numbers are from 1 to 128 (transmitted values from 0 to 127).

e) Press MIDI button to save. Quick blinking of MIDI and selected preset indicators confirm saving.

In case of necessity of returning without saving settings while the point d) it should be pressedLOOP or SWITCH button (MIDI indicator stops to light and preset indicator stops to blink).

Preset’s copyinga) Select preset to copy.

b) Memory access lock switch to UNLOCK position (LOCK indicator not lit).

c) Press at the same time LOOP and MIDI buttons (LOOP, SWITCH and MIDI indicators will startto blink).

d) Switch bank (if necessary) and choose preset No. where to copy selected preset.

e) Press at the same time LOOP and MIDI buttons to save preset. Successive quick blinking ofLOOP, SWITCH and MIDI indicators confirm saving.

In case of necessity of returning without saving settings while in the point d) should be pressedSWITCH button (LOOP, SWITCH and MIDI indicators stop to blink).

Settings

Settings parameters have been divided between LOOP and SWITCH buttons. The settingparameters of MIDI channel transmission are assigned to the MIDI button. Factory settings in thebelow tables are bolded.

LOOP button settingsa) Memory access lock switch to LOCK position (pressed, LOCK indicator lit).

b) Press and keep LOOP button then memory access lock switch to UNLOCK position (LOCKindicator stops lit). All three banks’ indicators start to blink and the LOOP indicator starts to light.Presets indicators will show the current settings of the LOOP button. The meanings of thesesettings are shown in the below table.

c) Pressing presets footswitches will effect in changing of particular settings.

d) Pressing the LOOP button will effect in saving settings (short, mutual blinking of bank indicatorsconfirm saving).

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In case of necessity of returning without saving settings while in the point c) should be pressedSWITCH or MIDI button.

Indicator No.1 2

DEF (definable) footswitch function:

loops direct switching mode entrance and exitO switching to the previously used bank

O volume control: full/lowered defined by the knobO O silent tuning switch on/switch offO – indicator lit

Indicator No.3 4 5

Indicator not lit inactive Wah-pad Wah-pad switches onLOOP1

Not used

Indicator lit active Wah-pad Wah-pad switches onLOOP2

Not used

SWITCH button settingsThe manner of usage is identical with described above one considering only this difference that

SWITCH button should be pressed at the moment of entering and saving. In case of necessity of returningwithout saving settings while in the point c) should be pressed LOOP or MIDI button.

Indicator No.1 2 3 4 5

Indicatornot lit

MIDI programchangingcommand isalwaystransmittedafter pressingpresetfootswitch

Minimal timedistancebetweenMIDIprogramchangingcommandsis 0.1 second

Controllingof thesecond MIDIdevicedisabled

“Remote” modeof working of thesecond GSC (thesame programexecuted on thesecond unit)through LINKconnection

Not used

Indicator lit MIDI programchangingcommand istransmitted onlyif another thanprevious onetransmitted

Minimal timedistancebetween MIDIprogramchangingcommands is0.5 second

Controlling ofthe secondMIDI deviceenabled

“Nearby” mode ofworking of thesecond GSC (10programs executedfrom A, B, C banks)through LINKconnection

Not used

MIDI channel settingTo enable receiving MIDI commands there should be set the same MIDI channel at the GSC and

at the receiving device or if the receiving device serves multichannel reception (OMNI) it should be set toreception of any channel.

a) Memory access lock switch to LOCK position (pressed, LOCK indicator lit).

b) Press MIDI button and while LOCK indicator blinks, switch memory access lock to UNLOCKposition (LOCK indicator stops to light). All three banks’ indicators start to blink and the MIDIindicator starts lit. Presets indicators will show the current set MIDI channel in the way describedin the below table.

c) The No. 2 preset footswitch decreases the channel No. by 1,the No. 3 preset footswitch sets the channel No. to No. 1,the No. 4 preset footswitch increases the channel No. by 1.

d) Pressing the MIDI button will effect in saving the channel No. (short, simultaneous blinking ofbank indicators confirm saving).

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In case of necessity of returning without saving while in the point c) should be pressed LOOP orSWITCH button.

Indicator No. MIDI channel No.1 2 3 4 5

O* 1O* 2

O 3O 4

O 5O O 6

O O 7O O 8

O O 9O O O 10

O O O 11O O O 12

O O O O 13O O O O 14

O O O O O 15O – indicator lit 16 * – factory settings are: channel No. 1 for the first device and channel No. 2 for thesecond one

Second MIDI device controlThe GSC enables to control two MIDI devices if one of them is equipped with THRU output. The

program No. is assigned separately for each preset and for each device.To connect the second MIDI device:- enable the second MIDI device control at the SWITCH button settings,- set the second MIDI device channel No.; the procedure is identical with the setting of the first

device channel, the only difference is that just after pressing MIDI button in accordance with theprevious point b) the DEF button should be pressed (banks indicators will start to blink slowly),

- set the second MIDI device’s program No. for each preset; the procedure is identical with thesetting of the first MIDI device, the only difference is that just after pressing MIDI button inaccordance with the previous point e) the DEF button should be pressed (MIDI and presetindicators will start to blink slowly).

To control two MIDI devices the receiving devices can not be set for reception from any channel(OMNI).

Effects to LOOP1 to LOOP4 loops connectingAt adequate LOOP1 to LOOP4 loops each effect pedal (stomp box) input (IN) should be connected

to SEND output of the GSC and each its output (OUT) should be connected to RETURN output of GSC.Effects’ mains switches should be permanently switched on.

The stomp boxes can be supplied by 9V cables connected to the GSC.

REMARK:Before connecting please check if voltage and polarisation of stomp box power supply connector is

identical with the GSC OUT 9V DC output.It is possible to connected serially connected effects to a loop with possibility to switch them on

and off by their own main switches. GSC enables to supply power to more effects than OUT 9V DCoutputs providing that stomp boxes are connected to them on short (up to 0.5 m) cables and power supplyoverload indicator (9V OVERLOAD) is not lit. To supply with power more stomp boxes should be bought(or made) proper cable distributing power to more stomp boxes from one output.

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Amp’s control connectingThe GSC enables to set the selected amp settings (active channel and/or reverb on/off) by its

footswitch input (or inputs). SW1 to SW4 outputs work on the latching system principle. Majority of amps iscontrolled in this way. SW1&2 and SW3&4 outputs’ circuit diagram is shown below. SW1 to SW4 litindicators mean short-cutting of the adequate relay’s contacts. Contact a manufacturer or an authorisedservice point to check if the particular amp’s model can be controlled in this way.

OUTSW1&2

or

Sleeve

OUTSW3&4

Ring

Tip

When this way of amp’s control is possible and it is equipped with stereo Jack ¼’ connector (orconnectors) the connection should be done using stereo Jack/Jack cable.

Sleeve

Ring

Tip

When this way of amp’s control is possible and it is equipped with mono Jack ¼’ connector (or connectors)the connection should be done using Y type cable.

Sleeve Sleeve

SleeveSleeve

Ring

Tip Tip

Tip

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Wah-pad connectingThe wah-pad enables automatic (without touching the GSC switches or a wah-wah effect’s switch)

switching on a wah-wah effect by placing a foot on it and switching off a wah-wah effect by removing afoot. The wah-pad should be placed beneath a wah-wah effect and the wah-pad’s connector should beplugged into LINK connector. A wah-wah effect’s input and output should be connected to LOOP1 orLOOP2 connectors. Wah-pad settings are described at “LOOP button settings”.

Depending on the GSC programming, the wah-pad enables to switch on No. 5 preset in each bank(“changing preset” mode) or to switch on at any LOOP1 or LOOP2 preset to which a wah-wah effect isconnected (“adding to preset a wah-wah” mode). Programming of the modes is done by the function “Ampsettings programming” individually for each bank using No. 5 preset footswitch (blinking of VOLUMEindicator means “changing preset” mode and lighting up or down of this indicator means “adding to preseta wah-wah” mode). In case of using “changing preset” mode at No. 5 preset of each bank there should beactivated this loop at this preset to which a wah-wah effect is connected. Such solution enables tosimultaneously control other effects and amp by the wah-pad.In the Loops direct switching mode the wah-pad is activating always LOOP1 or LOOP2 loops(independently from programmed settings).

Second GSC connectingLINK connector enables to connect the second GSC device to form a set with double possibilities.

Connection should be done using regular stereo or mono Jack/Jack cable.Possible modes of working:- “remote”, the first GSC is placed on the floor and the second GSC nearby the amp (not on the

floor) what eliminates possibility to press its footswitches while playing a song- “nearby”, both GSCs are placed on the floor and enable to press their footswitches while

playing a song.Set selected mode of working of both devices (in “Settings” at SWITCH button, indicator No. 4).

Selected bank and preset numbers are transmitted between GSCs through LINK connection. In “nearby”mode can be selected one of 10 presets (the first GSC five presets and next five ones of the second GSC).It is sufficient to use A, B, C banks of the first GSC in this mode (it serves 10 presets in 3 banks).

Below are shown possible connections of two GSCs’ system.

It is recommended to use plastic casing connectors for “remote” mode of working through LINKconnection (to avoid incidental touching an amp or an effect non insulated casings).

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Displaying firmware version

a) Switch off the mains.

b) Memory access lock switch to UNLOCK position.

c) Keeping pressed SWITCH button switch on the mains.

d) While SWITCH button is pressed preset and bank indicators show a firmware version No. (e.g.2A).

Signal’s path diagram

LOOP SECTION

OUT TUNER

BUFFER

GUITARINRETURN

LOOP1SEND RETURN

LOOP2SEND RETURN

LOOP3SEND RETURN

LOOP4SEND

VOLUME MUTE

Technical parameters

Dimensions depth 125 mm (without connectors)width 415 mmheight 55 mm

Weight 1.4 kgInput impedance 1 MOhmBandwidth: 30 Hz to 40 kHz 0.3dBTransmitted signal 8 dBu (6 Vpp)Output impedance 3 kOhmPower supply 12V 400mA

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MIDI implementation chartG LAB Guitar System Controller rev. 2B 04.2007

Function Transmitted Recognised

Basic ChannelDefault 1 XChanged 1-16 XModeDefaultMessages X XAlteredNote Number X XTrue Voice X XVelocityNote ON X XNote OFF X XAfter TouchKeys X XChannels X XPitch Bend X XControl Change XProg Change O XSystem Excl. X XSystem CommonSong Pos X XSong Sel X XTune X XSystem real timeClock X XCommands X XAux MessagesLocal ON/OFF X XAll Notes OFF X XActive Sense X XReset X X

O: YESX: NO

Before calling a serviceAny information which can solve majority of appearing problems are available at manufacturer’s

web site: www.glab.com.pl/FAQ_en.html. This web service is up dated daily.In case of cases not specified yet on this web site please contact the manufacturer’s e-mail address:help@glab.com.pl or phone: +48 32 272 26 23.

• There are no user-serviceable parts inside.• Any maintenance must be performed by qualified personnel.• Before repair the power supply adapter should be disconnected from the mains.• It is forbidden to make any change or modifications not expressly approved in this manual.

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Diagram of devices connectable to the GSC

Dia

gram

of d

evic

es c

onne

ctab

le to

the

GSC

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DO NOT PLACE THIS PRODUCT INTO THE WASTE CONTAINER !

This device is marked with a cross-lined waste container symbol according to2002/96/EU Directive on Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment.Such marking informs that after usage equipment can not be trashed together withother household waste.

An user obligation is to return wasted equipment to a party collecting wastedelectric and electronic equipment. Parties collecting such equipment organise a system, including localcollection points, shops and other units, allowing to return such equipment. This Directive assures an userfree of charge utilisation of such delivered equipment.This device is made of materials which can be recycled or utilised after becoming out of use. Properhandling of wasted electric and electronic equipment reduce demand for row materials and contribute inavoiding harmful consequences for environment and health of people caused by dangerous componentsand not proper storing and utilising of such equipment.