Below are questions frequently asked by our customers and partners about GAO Tek’s sound level meters and calibrators. They are further classified by their features acoustic , handheld, multi-function, professional, real-time, rugged, and data logging.
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What is a sound level meter (SLM)?
A sound level meter is an instrument used to measure sound pressure levels in decibels (dB). It quantifies the intensity of sound waves in a specific environment.
How does a sound level meter work?
GAO Tek SLMs contain a microphone that detects sound waves and converts them into electrical signals. These signals are processed and displayed as dB readings on the meter.
What are the applications of sound level meters?
GAO Tek sound level meters are used in various fields such as environmental monitoring, occupational safety, industrial noise control, entertainment venues, and product testing.
What are the different types of sound level meters?
Types include integrating sound level meters (measuring total noise over time), octave band analyzers (for frequency analysis), and logging or data-logging sound level meters (which record noise levels over time).
How accurate are sound level meters?
Accuracy varies among models. High-quality SLMs can offer accurate measurements within specified tolerances, usually ±1 to ±3 db.
Are sound level meters calibrated?
Yes, GAO Tek calibration ensures accuracy. Regular calibration against a standard reference source is crucial for maintaining accuracy over time.
What is a sound level calibrator?
Our sound level calibrator is a device used to calibrate and verify the accuracy of sound level meters. It emits a known sound pressure level at a specific frequency.
How does a sound level calibrator work?
It produces a stable acoustic signal of a known frequency and intensity. When placed over the SLM microphone, it allows the user to verify or calibrate the meter’s accuracy.
How often should I calibrate my sound level meter?
Calibration frequency depends on GAO Tek’s recommendations and industry standards. Typically, it’s recommended to calibrate SLMs annually or semi-annually.
Can I use any sound level calibrator with my meter?
Our sound level calibrators are designed for specific types of sound level meters. It’s essential to use a calibrator compatible with your meter’s microphone type and measurement range.
What are the standards for sound level meter calibration?
Standards like IEC 61672 and ANSI S1.4 provide guidelines for sound level meter performance and calibration procedures
Can I perform self-calibration with a sound-level calibrator?
Some of our SLMs allow users to perform a limited form of self-calibration using a calibrator, but professional calibration by certified labs is generally recommended for accuracy.
What are the applications of sound level meters and calibrators?
- Environmental Noise Monitoring: Assessing noise pollution in urban areas, near airports, construction sites, and highways to ensure compliance with noise regulations and standards.
- Occupational Safety and Health: Measuring noise levels in workplaces to prevent hearing damage and ensure compliance with occupational noise exposure regulations (e.g., factories, workshops, and industrial settings).
- Entertainment and Venue Management: Monitoring sound levels in concerts, clubs, theaters, and public events to maintain safe and enjoyable sound levels for attendees and comply with local regulations.
- Product Testing and Quality Control: Testing and evaluating the noise emissions of products such as household appliances, vehicles, machinery, and electronic devices to meet noise standards and improve product quality.
- Building Acoustics and Architectural Design: Assessing and designing structures to optimize acoustics in spaces like concert halls, auditoriums, offices, and educational institutions.
- Environmental Impact Assessments: Evaluating the impact of noise from transportation, industries, or construction on wildlife, ecosystems, and sensitive areas.
- Calibration of Sound Level Meters: Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of sound level meters by calibrating them against a known reference signal.
- Quality Assurance and Compliance: Verifying and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements by regularly calibrating sound level meters used in various industries.
- Instrumentation and Testing Laboratories: Calibrating and validating sound level meters used in testing laboratories to ensure accurate measurements for certification and quality control processes.
- Manufacturing and Production Environments: Calibrating sound level meters used in production lines to maintain consistent quality and performance of manufactured products.
- Research and Development: Calibrating sound measurement instruments in research settings for accurate data collection and analysis in studies related to noise, acoustics, and engineering.
- Service and Maintenance: Calibrating sound level meters and ensuring their accuracy during routine service and maintenance to uphold measurement integrity.
What U.S. regulations do GAO Tek sound level meters and calibrators comply with or help customers comply with?
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations (29 CFR 1910.95): OSHA sets workplace noise exposure limits. Employers are required to measure noise levels using accurate sound level meters to ensure compliance with permissible exposure limits (PELs) and take necessary actions to protect workers’ hearing health.
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards (ANSI S1.4 and ANSI S1.43): ANSI establishes standards for sound level meters, including performance specifications, measurement procedures, and calibration requirements. Compliance with these standards ensures the accuracy and reliability of sound level meters.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulations: EPA regulations address noise pollution in various settings, including transportation, construction, and industrial activities. Sound level meters may be used to monitor and enforce noise control regulations.
- Sound Level Calibrators: ANSI Standards (ANSI S1.40 and ANSI S1.42): ANSI provides standards for sound calibrators, specifying their design, performance, and calibration procedures. Adherence to these standards ensures the accuracy and reliability of sound-level calibrators.
- NIST Traceability: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceability is often required for calibration equipment. Calibrators should be traceable to NIST standards to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- ISO Standards (ISO 17025): ISO 17025 specifies the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Calibration labs conducting sound level meter calibrations may need to comply with ISO 17025 for accreditation.
- OSHA Requirements for Calibration: OSHA mandates that sound level meters used in workplace noise measurements should be calibrated according to the manufacturer’s instructions or recognized standards (such as ANSI standards) at specified intervals.
What Canadian regulations do GAO Tek sound level meters and calibrators comply with or help customers comply with?
- Product Safety Regulations: Depending on the intended use and application, colorimeters must comply with product safety standards established by regulatory bodies such as Health Canada. Compliance with relevant safety standards ensures that the product is safe for use.
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Regulations: Colorimeters with electronic components may need to comply with EMC regulations to ensure that they do not interfere with other electronic devices and are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference.
- Standards from Industry Organizations: Adherence to standards established by industry organizations, such as the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), may be important for colorimeters used in various applications.
- Medical Device Regulations (if applicable): If colorimeters are used in medical applications, they may be subject to regulations from Health Canada, particularly if they meet the definition of a medical device. Compliance with the Medical Devices Regulations may be required.
- Environmental Regulations: Compliance with environmental regulations, such as restrictions on hazardous substances, may be necessary. This could include adherence to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) or similar legislation.
- Trade Regulations: If colorimeters are imported or exported, they may need to comply with trade regulations and standards set by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and other relevant authorities.
- Consumer Protection Laws: Compliance with consumer protection laws, enforced by agencies such as the Competition Bureau Canada, is crucial if colorimeters are used in products for consumers.
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulations: Compliance with regulations set by provincial and territorial occupational health and safety authorities is important, especially in manufacturing environments where colorimeters are used.
- Intellectual Property Laws: Manufacturers of colorimeters should be aware of intellectual property laws to avoid patent infringement issues.
What International Standards do GAO Tek sound level meters and calibrators comply with or help customers comply with?
- International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standards (IEC 61672): IEC 61672 outlines the specifications and performance requirements for sound level meters. It covers various aspects including functionality, frequency weighting, time weighting, and calibration procedures.
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards (ANSI S1.4 and ANSI S1.43): ANSI standards often align closely with international standards (IEC) and provide specifications and requirements for sound level meters, including measurement procedures, performance criteria, and calibration.
- IEC Standards (IEC 60942): IEC 60942 specifies the requirements and performance criteria for sound calibrators. It defines the reference sound pressure levels and tolerances for calibrators used for the calibration of sound level meters.
- ANSI Standards (ANSI S1.40 and ANSI S1.42): ANSI standards provide similar specifications and requirements for sound-level calibrators, ensuring their accuracy, performance, and calibration procedures.
- ISO/IEC 17025: ISO/IEC 17025 specifies the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Laboratories performing calibration of sound level meters and calibrators may need to comply with this standard for accreditation.
- ISO 10012: ISO 10012 provides guidelines and requirements for measurement management systems, including calibration procedures and ensuring measurement traceability.
- ISO 80000-8: ISO 80000-8 offers guidance on quantities and units related to acoustics. It provides a framework for consistent terminology and measurement principles in the field of acoustics.
What alternative names does a sound level meter and calibrator have?
The alternative names of sound level meter and calibrator are noise meter, sound meter, decibel meter, SPL meter (sound pressure level meter), acoustic meter, db meter, sound calibrator, noise calibrator, decibel calibrator, spl calibrator (sound pressure level calibrator), and acoustic calibrator.
What sound level meters and calibrators does GAO Tek have?
Here is the link for the entire sound level meter and calibrator category from GAO Tek https://gaotek.com/category/environmental/sound-level-meters/ The GAO Tek’s sound level meters and calibrators products are further organized by feature acoustic , handheld, multi-function, professional, real-time, rugged, and data logging.
What is the shipping time for GAO Tek to ship to a USA location?
GAO Tek ships overnight to anywhere on the continental U.S. from one of its North American facilities.
What is the shipping time for GAO Tek to ship to a Canadian location?
GAO Tek ships overnight to anywhere in continental Canada from one of its North American facilities.