Examples of typical sound levels in dB(A)
Here below are some examples from typical sound levels in dB(A)
decibel scale examples of sound levels
decibel scale examples of sound levelsHow to measure sound?
A decibel meter is an instrument used to measure sound (noise) levels by measuring sound pressure also called SLM (Sound Level Meter), DB meter (Decibel) or if used for occupational noise, a noise dosimeter.
A typical sound level meter uses a microphone to register the sound, it will be processed by the sound level meter and the value (in dB) will be displayed on the meter.
The decibel is far out the most common unit used to measure and display values of sound. Most other values are derivatives or calculated values from the SPL such as Leq (equivalent sound level), Lmax, (maximum sound level), Lmin (minimum sound level), Lpeak (peak level), dB(A) (A-weighted sound level) and many more.
If the sound level meter is to be used to register sound in a classroom, factory, boundary, music event, road noise etc. then typically an equivalent noise value is required, the PLACID meters have these feature standard build in.
PLACID focusses on Class II instruments (IEC61672 or ANSI S1.4) which for most applications is sufficient.
There are many standards that describe how sound should be measured and interpreted, depending on the application and the country you are living in.
Let us know if you have any inquries on how to measure sound!
Soundlevel meter Class 2 tolerances (IEC61672-1:2013)
What is the accuracy for a soundlevel meter Class 2 (also called Type 2) as described in the IEC61672-1 standard ?
In the standard there are 2 classes of soundlevel meters, Class 1 and Class 2 (also called Type 1 and Type 2 soundlevel meters).
Most of the electronics in a soundlevel meter can qualify the specifications for a class 1 sound level meter and most of the times the microphone will determine the class of a soundlevel meter to be Class 1 or Class 2.
There are 2 main differences between Class 1 and Class 2 sound level meters, there is the accuracy which is higher with a Class 1 meter and the frequency range which is wider with a Class 1 meter.
Acoustic engineers and other professionals predominantly will use class 1 meters.
Class 2 meters are mostly used for indicative measurements or occupational noise measurements, noise from entertainment establishments, construction noise and vehicle noise that don’t require the full specs of a Class 1 instrument.
| Frequency accuracy | Class 1 | Class 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Hz | +/- 2.0 dB | +/- 3.0 dB |
| 1000 Hz | +/- 0.7 dB | +/- 1.0 dB |
| 10000 Hz | +2.0 dB / -3.0 dB | +5.0 dB / -∞ dB |
| 20000 Hz | +3.0 dB / -∞ dB | +5.0 dB / -∞dB |