A guide to measuring sound power testing for electronics manufacturers

Consumers expect electronics to perform quietly as well as deliver excellent sound power and quality. How do electronics manufacturers currently measure sound power? What standards help guide manufacturers to gain a competitive advantage by using sound testing to develop quality consumer electronics?

Download this sound power measurement guide for electronics manufacturers for an overview of standards, applicable regulations, and noise codes.

You will learn:

• How to differentiate between sound power, sound pressure, and sound intensity
• Different measurement standards, namely sound pressure-based and sound intensity-based methods
• Equipment used to measure the sound power and measurement uncertainties

Develop better consumer electronic products within ISO standards using sound testing

For electronics manufacturers to release a new product, it is often compulsory to certify it according to ISO standards as well as local and regional regulations. Apart from certification, sound power testing helps to develop better products in compliance with industry and ISO standards. In fact, it can enable organizations to meet or even exceed expectations, thus improving their competitive advantage. In today’s electronics manufacturing market, better sound quality makes for a better product and in the eyes of the consumer – higher quality.

The different ways of measuring sound power in electronics according to ISO standards

Measuring sound power is not straightforward. Teams can determine sound power through the measurement of sound pressure or sound intensity using three International Organization for Standardization (ISO) methods of accuracy: precision, engineering and survey (ISO 12001):

• Precision method (Grade 1): Provides the most accurate results but requires laboratory conditions and the most effort.
• Engineering method (Grade 2): Provides very accurate results that consider influence of the acoustic environment and source type.
• Survey method (Grade 3): Results intended to compare sources with similar characteristics and requires the least amount of time and equipment.

This guide provides an overview of the sound power measurement methods

Determining the sound power levels of noise sources

Electronics manufacturers may need to use sound power levels for:

• Certifying noise emitted by machines or equipment meet customer requirements
• Verifying declared values
• Comparing noise emitted coming from different machines (in type and size)
• Engineering work to reduce noise emitted by machinery
• Predicting noise levels
• Characterizing the noise source