Noise meters
Here you will find noise meters that meet
industrial standards. These portable noise meters
allows for rapid control of a situation to be taken
but also for test measurements over entire shifts,
and there are different noise
meters for distinct
frequencies. These noise meters to measure general
noise or background noise are gaining importance across all
areas, in particular on the spot measurements in
offices and in the street. Measuring noise is an
integral part of measuring environmental conditions,
most particularly in the private sector. Noise
meters are
often noise problems between neighbors or when a
restaurant or bar is produces lots of noise after
22:00 at a time when regulations stipulate that
noise levels be reduced. Some of these class I and
II noise meters can take measurements that can be
presented in court as evidence. There are also
accessories available, such as a microphone
extension cord (except for the PCE-999), tripods,
calibrators and DIN ISO calibration certificates for
all our models. If you require more information, you
can view our page outlining typical illumination standards or
if you don't find the noise meters you are looking for, please
contact us and we will help you find the best solution to
suit your needs by calling our offices on:
+44 ( 0 ) 191 377
3398
and our technical staff will advise you
regarding our
products.
Technical specifications for our noise meters can be
found at the following links:
-
PCE-222 series noise meters
(noise meters with internal sensors for sound, light, temperature and relative humidity)
All noise meters can come accompanied with a
microphone extension, a sound calibrator and an ISO
calibration certificate. Noise meter come calibrated
from the manufacturer. Over time, the sensors lose
accuracy and this is why they need to be
recalibrated on a regular basis. You can do your own
calibration using the sound calibrator device or you
can return the meter to us to have it calibrated in
our laboratory and you will receive a test
certificate.
Sound calibrator
(class I and II) (for
regularly recalibrating noise meters)
Microphone extension cable (allows measurements
to be taken at a greater distance)
Mains
adaptor(to
conserve battery power when transfering data)
Tripod (to ensure optimum placement of the
meter)
Below are some images of different noise meters
being used in situ. The image to the left shows a
device measuring noise levels in an office. The
image in the centre shows a device using a data
logger in a cutting machine and the image to the
right shows a noise meter on top of a tripod to
allow for measurements to be taken over an extended
period of time on a motorway.
Here we can see how our PCE-353 sound meters with
tripod take measurements during a period of time.
If
you would like more information about using noise
meters or measuring sound in general, click the
links below
(PCE Group is not responsible for the
authenticity and accuracy of the information
contained within the links)
Measuring
sound / noise
Operation / Use
Noise in the workplace
A-weighting
The sensitivity of human hearing
depends on the frequency. Low and high tones are perceived with less
precision than the tones in between. In the measurement of noise or
sound this is taken into account and the frequencies contained
within the sound are valued differently with respect to the A-weighting
curve. Sound readings are taken in decibels (dB) (A). The
A-weighting curve is used primarily in the
environmental and industrial sectors; the B
and C curves are used for louder sounds and
are less frequently used. The noise meters most commonly used for these measurements are the
PCE-999
and the
PCE-322A.
Measurement level The
measured sound level calculated over a
period of time in a measurement of noise
which has certain noise level specifications
be means of noise level corrections.
For these measurements it is advised to use
noise meters with the
Frequency
analysis
function. Abbreviatons: RL (rating level),
during daytime (LT); during nightime (LN) (in dB). In American
English it is also referred to as Ldn frequency.
Decibel The decibel
consists of one tenth of a bel (B). A bel is defined as a logarithm
of the bahaviour of two readings of the same type. It is used for the measurement of sound levels although the actual
sound output is determined in relation to a specified reference
intensity Abbreviation: dB. Calculation: LP = 10 * log (P / P0)
in dB where P = sound output P0 = specified reference
intensity (typically, 10 - 12 Watt)
Equivalent continuous noise level
(Leq) The equivalent
continuous noise level is an energy mean of the noise level averaged
over the measurement period (T) and often regarded as an average
level. Its also part of a sound level over a duration of time (X)
that describes a noise with duration D has the same value as a noise
that has half the duration (D / 2), but for this it has a sound
level of 3dB ( = 10 * log 2) higher
(to take this measurement you require the
PCE-353
noise analyser.)
The Leq is calculated in this way:
Leq = q/log2 * log(1/T ( 10(log2/q)* Li * ti)
Li = unique event level T = period of measurement (for
example: 16 hours), ti = duration of the unique event, the
maximum level can't be increased by more than 10dB, q =
equivalence parameter or division by two. Provides the change of
level, that is equivalent to a constant level to duplicate or divide
by two the effective time. Normally at international level q=3,
corresponding to the energy equivalence.
Regular measurment
of chance occurances with constant intervals
(example, 1/10 or 1/100 s) the value can be occur analogically
to the number of the chance value Leq = q/log2 * log(1/N ( 10 (log 2/q)* Li)
where Li = value of chance occurance N = total number of
chance occurances over a period of measurment. The sound level of
extended duration with equivalent energy used for acoustic
description of different sources of environmental noise (noise
from planes, trains, etc.) In Germany the Leq is normally know as the level
median (Lm).
Infrasound Frequencies
below 16 Hz (Hz = 1/s)
Solid bodies Sound that
spreads and impacts with solid bodies such as ceilings and walls of
buildings. This has high importance in the noise produced by the
construction sector.
Level day-evening-night
(Lden) According to the
proposed directives of the EU relating to "Measurement and treatment
of environmental noise" for the index of produced noise: day/evening/night
level. The evening hours are 19:00 to 23:00
o'clock, with a supplement of 5dB and at night from 23:00 to 7:00
o'clock, with a supplement of 10dB (for example, the noise analyser
serie-1900.)
Ldn
Day-night average sound level is the average noise level over a 24
hour period. With it, different measurements can be taken at
different times of the day.
Maximum level
Maximum value is a sound event also denoted as a peak sound. In
sound bursts, it's easier todetermine various peak pints and
establish a maximum average or extract the L1 percentile level.
Noise pollution
Some
years ago noise has become a constant
polluting agent. Nowadays, noise pollution
is a great problem which produces
physiological, psychological, economic and
social effects. The main cause of noise
pollution is human activity. Noise has
existed since ancient times, but in the last
century with the development of the
Industrial Revolution, the creation of new
means of transport and the growth of cities,
the real problem with noise pollution
started.
Noise is
defined as an unpleasant and
irritating sound. Noise pollution is
displeasing human, animal or
machine-created sound that disrupts
the activity or balance of human or
animal life. Noise pollution is
specially suffered by people who
work in industries and those who use
transportation systems frequently.
The source of
most outdoor noise worldwide is
transportation systems, including motor
vehicle noise, aircraft noise and rail
noise. Poor urban planning may give rise to
noise pollution, since industrial and
residential buildings can result in noise
pollution in the residential area. Other
sources of indoor and outdoor noise
pollution are car alarms, emergency service
sirens, office equipment, factory machinery,
construction works, grounds keeping
equipment, barking dogs, appliances, power
tools, lighting hum, audio entertainment
systems, loudspeakers, and noisy people.
Industrial noise
is primarily caused by the performance of
different machines in industrial places and
in general for all their internal activity.
The progressive nuisance produced by the
industrial noise is directly related to
several factors such as the level of
industrialization increasing worldwide, the
gradual concentration of industrial activity
in confined spaces and the increase of
machines’ strength.
Industrial noise is usually considered
mainly from the point of view of
environmental health and safety, rather than
nuisance, as sustained exposure can cause
permanent hearing damage. The presence of
ultrasound, infrasound and vibration is also
of great importance in industrial
environments.
Public works or construction works have a
great importance as the cause of the
nuisance. Compressors, pneumatic hammers,
excavators and heavy vehicles of all types
produce noise levels so high that,
regardless of the significance of prosperity
and development that could symbolize, are
the target of many complaints from residents
of our cities.
Despite efforts to solve this problem, the
success achieved so far is not very
important. Strategies differ considerably
between countries, partly due to the
different sensitivity to the same problem,
and partly because of the impact of
technology and the social and economic
behavior in the fight against noise.
Sound pressure level
The magnitude of sound pressure of a source
(px) relative to a level reference sound
pressure (p0). L = 20 log (px/p0). It is
expressed in decibels (dB), almost always
compared with frequency value, for example,
dB (A).
Sound energy
The physical energy of a source of radiated sound.
Sound event level (SEL)
(also LAE). Parameter largely related to the LAeq. With it isolated
events can be determined
(for example, air transit or passing traffic). The sound
energy is normalized to a temporary duration of 1 second.
Peak level Maximum sound
level reached in a sound burst, also called maximum level. Because
of possible loud oscillations, it provides a better description of
the average maximum level or the L1 percentile level.
Ruido TA Technical
indication for the protection against noise General prescription
administered by the Federal emissions law 26.8.98. In ruido TA value
directives are determined that should be followed precisely to
protect the public from the harmful effects of noise. Ruido TA has
advanced in force to be used for installations with authorization
and for those that don't require authorization.
Temporary value To be
able to follow oscillating sound levels in display instruments that
were previously constant, different temporary constants are
introduced: Fast, Slow, Impulse. Normally the temporary value that
you should employ is prescribed. Sound bursts are considered to
have a more imbalanced frequency than sounds events of longer
durations. For this reason, it has to be taken into account in the
reading, the duration of the bursts by way of a temporary value. (source: UBA).
If you wish to view or
print a selection of noise meters from our
catalogue, click the PDF symbol