scope:

This part of IEC 61672 gives electroacoustical performance specifications for three kinds of sound measuring instruments: - a time-weighting sound level meter that measures exponential-time-weighted, frequencyweighted sound levels; - an integrating-averaging sound level meter that measures time-averaged, frequencyweighted sound levels; and - an integrating sound level meter that measures frequency-weighted sound exposure levels. Sound level meters conforming to the requirements of this standard have a specified frequency response for sound incident on the microphone from one principal direction in an acoustic free field or successively from random directions. Sound level meters specified in this standard are intended to measure sounds generally in the range of human hearing. NOTE The AU frequency weighting specified in IEC 61012 can be applied for measurements of A-weighted sound levels of audible sound in the presence of a source that contains spectral components at frequencies greater than 20 kHz. 1 Two performance categories, class 1 and class 2, are specified in this standard. In general, specifications for class 1 and class 2 sound level meters have the same design goals and differ mainly in the acceptance limits and the range of operational temperature. Acceptance limits for class 2 are greater than, or equal to, those for class 1. This standard is applicable to a range of designs for sound level meters. A sound level meter may be a self-contained hand-held instrument with an attached microphone and a built-in display device. A sound level meter may be comprised of separate components in one or more enclosures and may be capable of displaying a variety of acoustical signal levels. Sound level meters may include extensive analogue or digital signal processing, separately or in combination, with multiple analogue and digital outputs. Sound level meters may include general-purpose computers, recorders, printers, and other devices that form a necessary part of the complete instrument. Sound level meters may be designed for use with an operator present or for automatic and continuous measurements of sound level without an operator present. Specifications in this standard for the response to sound waves apply without an operator present in the sound field.