Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Sha Tin)

Engineering Science for BS (MBS3211)

Programme / Year: ________________

Date: _____________

Sound Level Test

1. Use sound level meter to measure sound pressure levels;

Apparatus:

Sound level meter

Two different level noise amplifier

Tape ruler
Loud speakers
(Noise sources)
Sound level meter
A
Noise
Amplifier
B

~ 1 meter

Fig. 1

Procedures:

1. Hold the sound level meter in hand and point to the loud speakers of noise source about 1
meter apart as shown in Fig. 1.

2. Setup the sound level meter:

․ Select frequency weighting switch [A / C] to dBA.*1

․ Select time weighting select switch [FAST / SLOW] to FAST. *2

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 3. Turn on the noise amplifier with both noise source A and B output at the same time.

4. Adjust the amplifier volume about 80 dB.

5. Record the reading of sound level meter.

6. Repeat step 5 with noise source A and B separately and complete Table 1 below.
*1 Frequency weighting select switch A-weighting: for general sound level measurements. C-weighting: for checking the low-frequency
content of noise. (If the C-weighted level is much higher than the A-weighted level, then there is a large amount of low-frequency
noise.)
*2 Time weighting select switch FAST: for normal measurements SLOW: for checking average level of fluctuating noise.

Result:
Table 1: Sound Level of Source A and B

Sound Pressure Level, Lp (dB) by Measurement Lp (dB) by Calculation

Source A, Lp1 Source B, Lp2 Source A + B, Lpt Source A + B, Lpt

78.4 68.8 80.1 78.85

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Conclusion: 1. Calculate the total sound level when both noise source A and B are turned on. The
surrounding noise has been ignored in the calculation. Show your steps.
n 
Given total sound level, L pt  10 log 10  log 1 L pi / 10
 i 1 
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When i = source A, log-1(78.4/10) = 68.183×106
When i = source B, log-1(68.8/10) = 7.586×106
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Lpt = 10log10(68.183×106 + 7.586×106) = 78.85 dB
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% error = (80.1 - 78.85) / 80.1 × 100% = 1.56%
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2. Does it match with the experimental result?
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The experimental result is acceptable.
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3. What kind of factors which would affect your measurement?
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Larger Lpt by measurement is due to the constructive interference of the two
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noise sources when both are turned on.
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4. Calculate the sound power level LW of the noise amplifier when both noise source
 1 
A and B are turned on by the equation: LW  LP  10 log 10  2 
 4r 
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