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CLASS Determination

The document discusses the different types or classes of sound level meters and their accuracy standards. Class 1 meters are more accurate than Class 2 meters according to international standards IEC 60651 and IEC 61672. While older Class 2 meters can still be used for most applications, new purchases should meet the demands of standard IEC 61672. The class needed depends on the application and regulations, though European noise regulations allow Class 2 meters which have lower accuracy but cost less than Class 1 meters.

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Wahyu Nur Hidayat
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110 views1 page

CLASS Determination

The document discusses the different types or classes of sound level meters and their accuracy standards. Class 1 meters are more accurate than Class 2 meters according to international standards IEC 60651 and IEC 61672. While older Class 2 meters can still be used for most applications, new purchases should meet the demands of standard IEC 61672. The class needed depends on the application and regulations, though European noise regulations allow Class 2 meters which have lower accuracy but cost less than Class 1 meters.

Uploaded by

Wahyu Nur Hidayat
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

"Type" or "Class" of a Sound Level Meter

The Type or Class of a sound level meter describes its accuracy as defined by the relevant international standards - Class 1 is more accurate than Class 2. The older standard IEC 60651 referred to the grade as "Type", whereas the new standard IEC 61672 refers to it as the "Class". Although these standards have similarities, the later standard does make more demands on the meter regarding accuracy, performance and calibration. Although older meters meeting the IEC 60651 (and IEC 60804) can continue to be used for most applications, when purchasing a new meter you should get one that meets the new standard IEC 61672. Grade Type 1 / Class 1 Type 2 / Class 2 Definition Tolerance* Typical Applications Environmental, building acoustics, road vehicle Noise at work, basic environmental, motor sport

Precision Grade for laboratory 0.7 dB and field use General Purpose Grade for 1.0 dB field use

* These are the tolerances under reference conditions as defined in the IEC 60651 standard, section 9.1. The class of meter that you need will depend on your application and on any regulations that you need to meet. For example, the European Noise at Work Regulations state that the lower cost Class 2 or Type 2 meter is adequate. Of course you can use a Class 1 meter if you prefer as it is more accurate. There can be other reasons for selecting the class of meter. Our Class 1 meters tend to measure lower levels due the sensitivity of the microphone capsule. This is particularly relevant for environmental noise surveys where low noise levels are being measured. Finally, you may choose Class 1 for important legal applications as the evidence from the more accurate meter may be more convincing, even when the regulations do not demand it.

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