Factors to consider when selecting a sound level meter:
Price: The first thing you need to consider when shopping for a sound level meter is the price range of the product. The price of a sound level meter depends on many factors, including features, accuracy level, number of channels, storage capacity and so on. In general, the same indicators of the sound level meter, domestic than imported products are much cheaper.
Function: For sound level meter, measurement function is the most important index, which not only determines the application range of sound level meter, but also has the most relationship with the price of sound level meter. According to the type of signal being measured, for the steady state noise signal, the sound level meter function as long as the measurement of instantaneous sound pressure level; for the measurement of non-steady state signals, generally require the measurement of time-averaged sound level or called the equivalent sound level; for the need for spectral analysis, it is necessary to choose the noise spectrum analyser.
Number of channels: The general sound level meter has only 1 channel, measuring only 1 way sound pressure level. Sometimes you need to measure more than one sound pressure level, you need to choose more channels, for example, measuring sound intensity level requires 2 channels, measuring sound power level requires more channels, multi-channel sound level meter greatly extends the use of sound level meter.
Accuracy level: Accuracy level of sound level meter: class 1 and class 2.
Spectrum analysis function: In order to perform spectrum analysis of noise, it is necessary to select the spectrum analysis function. Octave and 1/3-octave spectrum analysis are most often used in acoustic measurements. Previously, spectrum analysis was achieved using analogue filters, but nowadays most of the digital technology is used, and real-time spectrum analysis is carried out through digital filters.
Measurement range: The measurement range of sound level meter should sometimes consider its upper limit in order to measure the high sound pressure level, such as 140dB, even to 160dB or more; sometimes it should consider its lower limit in order to measure the low sound pressure level, such as 20dB or less; usually the measurement range of sound level meter is within the range of 25dB to 130dB.
Interface: Current sound level meters generally contain RS232, USB and other interfaces for connection to a micro printer or computer, which can be selected by the user according to the testing needs.
Calibration: Sound level meter needs to use sound calibrator to carry out sound calibration in the process of using, the sound calibrator is often used as the supporting instrument of the sound level meter, which becomes an integral part of the sound level meter. There are two kinds of sound calibrators: piston sound generator and sound level calibrator, the piston sound generator produces 250Hz, 124dB sound pressure level, the accuracy level is 1 or 0; the sound level calibrator produces 1000Hz, 94dB sound pressure level, the accuracy level is 2 or 1. 1 level sound level meter needs to be calibrated by 1 or 0 sound calibrator, and 2 level sound level meter needs to be calibrated by 2 or 1 level sound calibrator.
