How to choose the right sound level meter for you
There are many instruments for measuring sound, and their prices vary widely. Some are as cheap as more than 100 yuan, and some are more expensive than 100,000 yuan. Putting aside the price, how do you choose a suitable sound level meter?
(1) Sound level meters are in the catalog of measuring instruments under compulsory supervision by the state and require a type approval certificate before they can be produced and sold (the same applies to imported instruments). Therefore, the most important thing is to have a CPA certificate (type approval certificate), otherwise there will definitely be problems.
(2) If possible, try to send it to the Metrology Institute to get a calibration certificate. Note that it is a calibration certificate, not a calibration certificate. Many people don't know their differences. The calibration certificate only gives data, not conclusions, and it is up to the customer to judge. The calibration certificate must give the conclusion and accuracy grade. A calibration certificate will be issued only if all items are qualified. Calibration certificate items are not required. Data for only one indicator can be given, or data for all 10 items can be given. (For specific performance indicators, please refer to JJG 188-2017)
(3) What is the type approval certificate? To put it simply, it is a certificate given after the full performance is qualified, and the full performance test needs to be done by a metrology institute at or above the provincial level to be valid. The full performance experiment is to ensure that the measurement data of the sound level meter is accurate and reliable in various extreme environments (such as temperature, humidity, electric field, magnetic field, electrostatic discharge, radiation, etc.). At present, no more than 10 domestic sound level meter manufacturers have obtained CPA certificates, and most of them are in Zhejiang and Beijing.
(4) Accuracy and price issues: You get what you pay for. Level 1 is more accurate but more expensive; level 2 is cheaper. Non-standard (without CPA certificate) sound level meter is less than 500 yuan. If you have particularly high requirements for measurement precision and accuracy, it is recommended to use BK. Of course, the price will not be less than 100,000. A conventional domestic sound level meter is also sufficient, and the best one is Aiwa's.
(5) Don't expect accuracy from a sound level meter under 500 yuan. It can still be used as a toy.
