Institute Affairs

An introduction to
Instrumentation Corner

sound power standards

By Mark Dowie, Application Specialist at BrÜel & Kjaer

T
here are many reasons to perform sound power If you have an anechoic chamber that is at least three
measurements and there are many standards to reflect times the width, length and height of your source, then you
this. This is a brief guide to the ISO standards available could use the precision method described in ISO 3745:2012
and what sort of measurement equipment is required. (Determination of sound power levels and sound energy levels
of noise sources using sound pressure − Precision methods for
The most commonly used sound power standards are: anechoic rooms and hemi-anechoic rooms).
• ISO 3744; The simplest method is ISO 3746:2010 (Determination of
• ISO 3745; and sound power levels and sound energy levels of noise sources using
• ISO 3746. sound pressure − Survey method using an enveloping measurement
These can be used for a very wide range of noise sources and surface over a reflecting plane), this allows correction for
are suitable for agricultural or construction machinery, pumps, almost any test environment but has the greatest measurement
generators and other industrial equipment. They would also uncertainty. ISO 3746 is a useful method for acquiring real sound
be used to assess the sound power of domestic products like power data for use in environmental noise maps.
washing machines, vacuum cleaners, power tools and even For each of these standards it is possible to use a Class 1 sound
dustbins. These three standards require a test area that is as close level meter, however, as the sound power calculation will require
to a free-field as possible, the repeatability, due to background at least six measurement positions, it is much quicker to use a
noise and reflections of the measurement environment will multichannel analyser with Type 1 microphones. If the source is
determine which of the three standards you are able to use. not stable then it will be necessary to measure over a period that
An open area with minimal reflecting surfaces and a captures the range of levels produced by the source, for this, a
consistently low background noise; or a large room with a hard multi-channel system will significantly reduce the test time.
floor and some sound absorbing material on the walls would be All three methods describe various techniques for calculating
sufficient for measurements to ISO 3744:2010 (Determination the positions of the microphones, although the hemisphere
of sound power levels and sound energy levels of noise sources shown in Figure 1 (below) is the most frequently used.
using sound pressure − Engineering methods for an essentially The calculations in these methods is based on the
free-field over a reflecting plane). Good measurements can be approximation to a free-field with little or no reflections, so that
performed in car parks after working hours and store rooms the measured level is only direct sound from the source.
lined with office dividing panels.

Elevations of Horizontal distance Height of

microphone from centre of array to corresponding
positions microphone positions areas of hemisphere
Z

0.99 R
0.66 R 0.89R
0.1 R

10
8
0.3 R

7 9
1R
1R

0.3 R

4 5 6 Y
0.75 R

0.3 R

2 3

X
0.45 R
0.15 R

Figure 1 Microphone positions on equal areas on the surface of a hemisphere

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 Institute Affairs
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Measurements in a reverberant chamber

ANC
The following standards provide methods for measurements
in a reverberant chamber and would typically require random
incident or diffuse field microphones. These methods either
use multiple measurement locations or a rotating boom to take THE ASSOCIATION OF
sample measurements of the stabilised sound field. For this NOISE CONSULTANTS
reason, reverberation standards are best suited to sources that
run at a consistent level.
ISO 3741:2010 (Determination of sound power levels and The ANC has represented
sound energy levels of noise sources using sound pressure – Acoustics Consultancies since
Precision methods for reverberation test rooms). 1973. We now have over one
ISO 3747:2010 (Determination of sound power levels and sound hundred member companies,
energy levels of noise sources using sound pressure − Engineering/ including several international
survey methods for use in situ in a reverberant environment). members, representing over
ISO 3743-1:2010 (Determination of sound power levels seven hundred individual
and sound energy levels of noise sources using sound pressure − consultants.
Engineering methods for small movable sources in reverberant
Members of the ANC can also
fields − Part 1: Comparison method for a hard-walled test room).
apply to become registered
ISO 3743-2:2018 (Determination of sound power levels of
testers in the ANC’s verification
noise sources using sound pressure − Engineering methods for
small, movable sources in reverberant fields − Part 2: Methods for scheme, recognised by CLG as
special reverberation test rooms). being equivalent to UKAS
accreditation for sound
Intensity-based methods insulation testing.
If you do not have access to a free-field environment with low We are regularly consulted on
background noise or a reverberant room, then you maybe be draft legislation, standards,
able use one of the intensity-based methods. guidelines and codes of
ISO 9614-1:1993 (Determination of sound power levels of practice; and represented on
noise sources using sound intensity − Part 1: Measurement at BSI & ISO committees.
discrete points).
ISO 9614-2:1996 (Determination of sound power levels of noise We have Bi-monthly meetings
sources using sound intensity − Part 2: Measurement by scanning). that provide a forum for
ISO 9614-2:1996 (Determination of sound power levels of discussion and debate, both
noise sources using sound intensity − Part 3: Precision method for within the meetings and in a
measurement by scanning). more informal social context.
These work well for sources that can run in the steady state. Potential clients can search
Intensity systems tend to be less expensive than six or our website which lists all
10 channel systems used for ISO 3745 and 3744, and do not
members, sorted by services
require a special acoustic environment. Intensity methods
offered and location.
provide very quick, accurate results for small stable sources.
By dividing the surface area of the source into squares (as per Membership of the Association
Figure 2) it becomes easy to perform reliable measurements is open to all acoustics
even on large and complex sources such as diesel generators and consultancy practices able to
industrial pumps. The scanning method allows for the intensity demonstrate the necessary
probe to be placed very close to the source − reducing the need professional and technical
for large test areas. P16 ▶ competence is available, that a
satisfactory standard of
continuity of service and staff
is maintained and that there is
no significant interest in
acoustical products.
To find out more about
becoming a member of the ANC
please visit our website
(www.theanc.co.uk) or call
020 8253 4518

Figure 2 Virtual box over test object divided into squares

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Instrumentation Corner
Institute Affairs

Figure 3 Rotating boom in reverberant chamber with acoustic diffusers

Heating, ventilation and air moving ISO 13261-1:1998 (Sound power rating of air-conditioning
equipment testing and air-source heat pump equipment − Part 1: Non-ducted
For manufacturers of heating, ventilation and air moving outdoor equipment).
equipment, particularly if they need to test the several ISO 13261-2:1998 (Sound power rating of air-conditioning
components as a system, then the following standards will apply: and air-source heat pump equipment − Part 2: Non-ducted indoor
ISO 5135:1997 (Determination of sound power levels of noise equipment).
from air-terminal devices, air-terminal units, dampers and valves ISO 5136:2003 (Determination of sound power radiated into
by measurement in a reverberation room). This has similarities a duct by fans and other air-moving devices − In-duct method).
to ISO 3741 and is usually performed using a microphone on a This method requires a microphone, ideally pressure-field, to
rotating boom (Figure 3). The analyser, which could be a sound be placed in the flow of air inside the duct. To prevent wind
level meter, measures for one full rotation of the boom. (This induced noise on the microphone diaphragm it is necessary to
standard is about to be replaced by ISO/NP 5135). use a nose cone or turbulence screen (Figure 4). P18 ▶

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 Institute Affairs

Fans
Instrumentation Corner

There is also a set of standards specifically for fans:

ISO 13347-1:2004 (Determination of fan sound power
levels under standardised laboratory conditions − Part 1:
General overview).
ISO 13347-2:2004 (Determination of fan sound power levels
under standardised laboratory conditions -- Part 2: Reverberant
room method).
ISO 13347-3:2004 (Determination of fan sound power levels
under standardised laboratory conditions − Part 3: Enveloping
surface methods).
ISO 13347-4:2004 (Determination of fan sound power
levels under standardised laboratory conditions − Part 4: Sound
intensity method).

New detailed guide

Please be aware that the International Standards Organisation
(ISO) is about to release ISO/DIS 3740, which will be a detailed
guide to the ISO sound power standards. All the standards
mentioned in this article are available from
www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/standards 

Figure 4 Microphone nose cone

The most commonly used sound power standards, ISO 3744, ISO 3745 and ISO 3746 can be used for a very wide range of noise sources
and are suitable for agricultural or construction machinery, pumps, generators and other industrial equipment

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