ˆ Contents Features ..........3 Installing the Battery ......5 Making Measurements ......7 Setting the Sound Range ....7 Setting the Weighting ..... 8 Setting the Response ..... 9 Making Normal Measurements ..10 Making Maximum Measurements 12 Level Indications ......12 Underrange Indication ..
ˆ Features Your new RadioShack Digital Sound Lev- el Meter precisely measures area noise and other sound levels. The meter’s digital design and special measuring features, such as the bargraph and date hold, en- sure pinpoint accuracy for checking an acoustic environment.
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Wide Sound-Measuring Abilities — measures from 50 dB to 126 dB SPL with seven ranges. Average or Maximum Sound Level Dis- play — continuously shows the average or maximum sound level: per second with digits, per 0.2 or 0.5 seconds with the bar- graph.
Peak Level Indication — shows you when the meter registers the maximum level measurement on the bargraph. Reset Button — lets you clear the current measurements from the meter’s memory and begin a new measurement. 9-Volt Battery Operation — lets you power the meter with a 9-volt battery.
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1. Set RANGE 2. Remove the bat- tery compartment cover by pressing in both sides and lifting off the cover. 3. Install the battery as indicated by the diagram marked in the compartment. Place the battery over the red ribbon to make it easy to remove the battery later.
Replace the battery with a fresh one of the same type. ˆ Making Measurements SETTING THE SOUND RANGE The meter can measure sound levels within seven different ranges. Each range covers 20 dB. The number of each range represents the center of the range. For ex- ample, if you set , the meter RANGE...
for the approximate sound lev- RANGE el you want to measure. If you do not know the sound level, start with the high- est range setting (120) and gradually re- duce the setting. When the measured value is lower or higher than the set range, an underrange or overrange indi- cator appears.
500-to-10,000 Hz range, which is the hu- man ear’s most sensitive range. Select A- weighting to determine an area’s noise- level. Take measurements at several dif- ferent points in the area. C-weighting has C-curve (flat) frequency characteristics. This setting causes the meter to respond mainly to frequencies in the 32 to 10,000 Hz range.
, the meter automatically RANGE sets the response for fast . At the fast setting, the meter revises the bargraph reading after about every 0.2 seconds. At the slow setting, the meter re- vises the reading after about every 0.5 seconds.
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Sound Range” on Page 7 and “Level Indications” on Page 12.) 2. Set the weighting and response. (See “Setting the Weighting” on Page 8 and “Setting the Response” on Page 9.) 3. Face the sound source. Then hold the meter to one side and point its microphone at the sound source.
MAKING MAXIMUM MEASUREMENTS To measure the continuous maximum sound level, follow the steps in “Making Normal Measurements” on Page 10 and press appears on the dis- play. The meter displays only the loudest mea- sured sound level during the 1-second sampling period.
The bargraph’s center point represents the center level of the selected range (60 dB, 70 dB, 80 dB, and so on). The points to the left of the center indicate measurements less than the center level (down to –10 dB below the selected range).
disappears. If this happens, select a lower range. Overrange Indication When the measured sound level is higher than the highest sound level of the select- ed range (except for the 120 dB range), the bargraph and digits that represent the next higher range flash on the display.
If you get an overrange indication, change the range setting until you get a reading in the upper half of the range (0 to + 10 dB). Notes: • The underrange or overrange indica- tion can also appear when you recall a measurement using data hold and the measurement is under or over the selected range.
Press to freeze the current maximum measurement if the last average mea- surement (without ) is on the display. Press again to return to the average measurement. Press to freeze the current minimum measurement. also appears on the display. Press again to return to the average measurement.
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mum, and the minimum sound levels dur- ing the set time period. 1. Press for about 2 seconds during a continuous average or maximum measurement. appears on the dis- play. 2. Repeatedly press or hold down to set the desired measuring period from 1 to 199 seconds.
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meter displays the total integrated aver- age sound level. Press to display the maximum sound level for the set time. Press again to return to the total integrated average sound level. Press to display the minimum sound level for the set time. Press again to return to the total integrated average sound level.
You must repeat the procedure for making an integrated average measurement. MAKING MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM MEASUREMENTS DURING AN UNDETERMINED TIME PERIOD You can check the maximum and mini- mum sound level over any length of time. To do so, press during a continu- RESET ous average or maximum average mea-...
Press after you check the maxi- RESET mum or minimum sound level. The meter resumes a normal continuous average or maximum measurement. CHECKING STEREO SYSTEM ACOUSTICS To check the sound of a stereo system, use a test recording that produces pure tones, one at a time, at intervals that span the entire audio spectrum.
Attempting to calibrate the meter yourself might result in inaccurate measurements. ˆ Care Your RadioShack Digital Sound Level Meter is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following sugges- tions will help you care for the meter so you can enjoy it for years. •...
• Wipe the meter with a damp cloth occasionally to keep the meter look- ing new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong deter- gents to clean the meter. • Use a fresh battery of the recom- mended size type.
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Operating Temperature....32 F to 122 F Storage Temperature....-40 F to 149 F Dimensions (HxWxD) .. 6 ¼ × 2 ½ × 1 ¾ Inches (159 × 64 × 44 mm) Weight ............. 5.8 oz (165 g Approx.) Specifications...
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Limited Ninety-Day Warranty This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and au- thorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DU-...