How accurate is a Sound Level Meter?
This is a difficult question to answer. Within the standards are many specification points, requirements and tolerances. The latest Sound Level Meter standard gives two levels of accuracy, Class 1 and Class 2 which have replaced the previous Type 1 and Type 2 tolerances. It is usually sufficient to say that an instrument is Class 1 or Class 2 rather than looking for a percentage or dB figure to quote. If a noise measurement instrument, such as a Sound Level Meter, is to be used to meet the requirements of a measurement standard, then it is likely that the standard specifies what Class or Type of instrument is suitable. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 which are in force in the UK states the following with regard to Sound Level Meters: “Your sound level meter should meet at least Class 2 of BS EN 61672- 1:2003 (the current instrumentation standard for sound level meters), or at least Type 2 of BS EN 60804:2001 (the former standard).
Related Questions
- The Sound Level Meter wont calibrate and it looks like the piece of foil under the grid on top of the microphone is ripped. What should I do?
- When is an Octave Band (OB) Filter used, and how should the Sound Level Meter be setup for use with the OB filter?
- Why doesn Jade use a simple microphone instead of a sound level meter for data capture?
