WHAT IS A SOUND LEVEL METER
A sound level meter is a measuring instrument, designed to measure sound levels in a standardized way.
Commonly referred to as a sound meter, noise meter, decibel meter, or sound pressure level (SPL) meter, a sound level meter is designed to respond to sound in approximately the same way as the human ear.
The purpose of a sound level meter is to give objective, reproducible measurements of sound pressure levels (SPL).
HOW DOES A SOUND LEVEL METER WORK?
At its very core, a sound level meter basically consists of a microphone, a preamplifier, a signal processing unit, and a display.
The most suitable type of microphone for a sound level meter is a condenser microphone, which combines precision with measurement reliability. The microphone converts the sound signal to an equivalent electrical signal. The electrical signal produced by the microphone is at a very low level and must be enhanced by a preamplifier, before reaching the main processor.
Signal processing applies frequency weightings and time weightings to the signal, as specified by international standards such as IEC 61672 – 1, which a sound level meter complies with.
MEASUREMENT APPLICATIONS
Sound level meters and analyzers are used to measure and manage noise from a variety of sources. They are often employed in environmental noise assessment from sound sources, such as industrial plants, road and rail traffic, and construction work.
In urban environments, noise pollution - or excessive noise exposure - directly affects the people who live and work in the affected areas. To ensure noise regulations are followed, noise is measured from a variety of sources as sports events, outdoor concerts, parks, and residential- or commercial neighbours. Each sound/noise source is defined by its own set of characteristics, which can pose challenges for the professionals assessing them.