3M E-A-Rfit User Instructions
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. 3M Manuals
  4. Test Equipment
  5. E-A-Rfit
  6. User instructions

3M E-A-Rfit User Instructions

Dual-ear validation system
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System User Instruction
3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System User Instructions
Warnings and Cautions
WARNING
To avoid the risk of electric shock, which if not avoided could result in serious injury or death:
WARNING
•
Do not immerse the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System in any liquid.
•
Use indoors only.
•
Disconnect power cord before cleaning.
•
Clean the exterior surface of the speaker with a clean anti-static cloth.
•
Do not attempt to clean the interior components.
•
There are no serviceable parts.
•
The 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System must be returned to the manufacturer for repair.
•
To avoid possible environmental contamination, dispose of the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System according
to applicable governmental regulations.
•
Substitution of components may impair the accuracy of the instrument. Repairs should be performed by authorized
service personnel only.
•
Read the User Guide before operation.
Introduction
This system is comprised of hardware and software that enables the operator to test and record the personal attenuation
rating (PAR) of many 3M hearing protection products. (See Appendix B, "Model, Parts and Accessories" for details.) Software
versions 5.9.1 and higher are compliant with ANSI/ASA S12.71-2018 American National Standard Performance Criteria for
Systems that Estimate the Attenuation of Passive Hearing Protectors for Individual Users.
Getting Started
This product contains the components illustrated below. Please follow the illustrated quick set-up guide in the lid of the case
to assemble your hardware.
User Instructions

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the E-A-Rfit and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for 3M E-A-Rfit

Summary of Contents for 3M E-A-Rfit

  • Page 1 This system is comprised of hardware and software that enables the operator to test and record the personal attenuation rating (PAR) of many 3M hearing protection products. (See Appendix B, “Model, Parts and Accessories” for details.) Software versions 5.9.1 and higher are compliant with ANSI/ASA S12.71-2018 American National Standard Performance Criteria for Systems that Estimate the Attenuation of Passive Hearing Protectors for Individual Users.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Add or Edit an Employee Importing Employee Data Operator Add an Operator Edit an Operator Export Octave Band Data Employees Due for Testing Employee Session Duration Export Data Hearing Protector Assignment Import E-A-Rfit 4 Data Settings Database Service URL Software Updates User Support Resources...
  • Page 3 Environmental Operating Conditions User Interface Requirements System Requirements Performance Statement Appendix B Kit Components Probed Test Hearing Protector Accessories Contact 3M Within the United States Outside the United States Legal and Regulatory Information FCC/IC Calibration Warranty Responsibility for Data Privacy and Security...

  • Page 4: Installing The Software

    Installing the Software Insert the provided flash drive into your computer or download the latest version from the 3M website by visiting EARfit.3M.com. Navigate to the software folder in your File Explorer window. Run the Setup.exe file. Follow the prompts in the application setup wizard.
  • Page 5 Set the unit on a table upright Plug the power cord into the top socket on the back of the unit. Plug the power adapter into a wall out. A green light will illuminate on the unit. Insert the microphone assembly into the middle socket on the back of the unit. Take care to ensure the plug is properly aligned into the socket.

  • Page 6: Software Start-Up

    The start-up process includes the selection of the language, operator, and company. It may also be used to begin testing, review hearing protection fit-tests, and access the data manager (see following sections for details). IMPORTANT NOTE Clicking the Home icon or the E-A-Rfit™ logo will return you to the home screen.

  • Page 7: Home Screen

    Home Screen Open the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System software.
  • Page 8 Select your language by clicking on the drop-down language menu. Select the Operator, which is the person conducting the test. To add an Operator: Click the Add button next to the Operator field. Fill out the dialogue box that appears. To edit an Operator: Edit Click the...

  • Page 9: Microphone Verification

    Microphone Verification Microphone verification is necessary to assure the microphones and speaker are operating properly. A microphone verification is required each time the software is started. Re-verification is required after four (4) hours of use or after fifty (50) fit-test sessions, whichever comes first. Slide the right (red) and left (blue) microphones into the speaker clips as illustrated on the software screen.

  • Page 10: How It Works

    The reference microphone measures the level of the test signal outside the ear. The measurement microphone is connected to one of the specially modified 3M probed test earplugs or earmuff cushions to allow measurement of the sound level inside the wearer’s ear canal while the hearing protector is worn. The difference between the outside and inside microphone levels is used to calculate the personal attenuation rating (PAR) for each employee: the amount of noise reduction in decibels obtained by that individual with the specific model and size of hearing protector being worn.
  • Page 11 IMPORTANT NOTE To determine which model of probed test plug should be used for the selected hearing protector, click on the icon with the probed plugs. A complete crossover guide for probed hearing protectors is also available in the resources tab within the software.

  • Page 12: Test Results

    – The session is ended by the operator – The software is closed The results can be used to retrain the worker to wear hearing protection more effectively. If you have unexpected results, reference the process diagram below. Test Results The hearing protection fit-test results are displayed on the tabs entitled Quick View, Protection, Attenuation Graph, and Detail View.

  • Page 13: Action Button Key

    Indicator Symbol Description Red “X” The binaural PAR minus uncertainty failed to meet the target minimum attenuation. A failed measurement can be set as a baseline, but you will not be able to assign a hearing protector that has failed. Uncertainty is displayed in the Detail View Tab.

  • Page 14: Quick View

    Button/Checkbox Description Create Report Allows the creation of an Employee Report and Company Report. Delete (trashcan icon) Used to delete a fit-test when it is selected in the test history column Change/Edit Employee (two buttons next to Employee Change/Edit Employee (two buttons next to Employee field) field) Notes...

  • Page 15: Safety Guide

    IMPORTANT NOTE 3M™ uses PAR minus the uncertainty value to calculate user protection. Calculated uncertainty includes user fitting variability, variability in the user’s noise spectrum, and the measurement of variability itself. Left and Right Values The left and right values are the computed results from the fit test for each ear with the uncertainty value subtracted.

  • Page 16: Attenuation Graph

    IMPORTANT NOTE Hover your mouse over the Fitting Gauge needle to see how the PAR results compare to others who were tested on the same model. You may also hover your mouse over Your Fit to see the PAR value. Attenuation Graph The Attenuation Graph tab plots the attenuation at each of the seven octave bands for the left ear (blue) and the right ear (red).

  • Page 17: Reports

    Reports This product offers two different report options. Reports can be viewed in the program, saved as a file, or printed. Employee Report The employee report provides a basic personalized fit-test report.

  • Page 18: Company Report

    Company Report The company report provides additional fit test detail desired for company record-keeping. A signature line is available for companies who wish to have employees sign after they have been tested.

  • Page 19: Data Manager

    The data manager is used as a support portal to manage the company, employee, and operator data without having to have hardware connected. Additionally, reports can be generated, fit-test data can be exported, and data from the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System 4 database files can be imported.

  • Page 20: Adding Or Editing A Company

    (personally-identifiable or otherwise) entered into, or generated by, the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System. Access to the 3M E-A-Rfit Dual-Ear System is not password-controlled. Purchaser should implement all necessary administrative, physical and technical safeguards it determines are necessary to ensure the integrity, confidentiality and security of the data against both internal (e.g., access by unauthorized personnel,...

  • Page 21: Delete A Company

    To edit a company record: Click the Edit button next to the Company field. Edit the company information as needed. Any field with an asterisk is required. Delete a Company Select a company from the Company field. Click the Delete button. Employee The Employee tab of the data manager page may be used to add, edit, delete, and import employees into the software database.

  • Page 22: Add Or Edit An Employee

    Add or Edit an Employee To add an employee: Click the Add button next to the employee field. Enter the employee information. Any field with an asterisks is required. Click Save to add the employee When an employee’s hearing exposure level is unknown, check the box labeled Exposure data not available. See the table below for more information on each field in the Add/Edit Employee Screen Field Description...

  • Page 23: Importing Employee Data

    Importing Employee Data The Import feature enables an administrator to import the company’s employees that will be fit tested with an existing Excel spreadsheet. Once the employee data is imported to corresponding fields, you have the option to map the Excel file fields to the software database.

  • Page 24: Operator

    ClickImport to E-A-Rfit™ to finalize. Click the “X” on the top right corner to close the window. Operator In the Operator tab in the Data Manager, you may add, edit, and delete operator/safety personnel information. The operator information is saved and is presented in System Information section of the Company Report.

  • Page 25: Edit An Operator

    Edit an Operator Select an operator from the Operator field. Edit any information as needed. Any field with an asterisks is required. Click the Save button. Delete an Operator Select an operator from the Operator field. Click the Delete button. Reports In the Reports Tab of the data manager, you can generate the hearing protector fit test reports.

  • Page 26: Employees Due For Testing

    Employees Due for Testing The data query will provide a list of employees due for testing for a given company. The query can be filtered by a selected cut-off date parameter. The query results will display the employee name, the employee ID, their function and section, and the last known test date.

  • Page 27: Employee Session Duration

    To run this export: Double click on Employees Due for Testing. Select the company and date. Click the Accept button. Employee Session Duration The data query will display the date and session duration of all fit-tested employees when filtered by company, operator, start date, and end date.

  • Page 28: Export Data

    To run this export: Double click on Employee Session Duration. Select the company, operator, start date, and end date. Click the Accept button. Export Data The data query will provide all fit-test data information when filtered by company, by all employees or by specific employee.

  • Page 29: Hearing Protector Assignment

    To run this export: Double click on Export Data. Select the range, employees, company, employee, and date parameters. Click the Accept button. Hearing Protector Assignment The data query filters by company and will display the company, all employees fit-tested, the fit-test visit dates, the product tested, and the left PAR, the right PAR, and the Binaural PAR values.

  • Page 30: Import Earfit 4 Data

    Select the company. Click the Accept button. Import EARfit 4 Data This feature is used to import 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System 4 data into the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System software. To import data: Click Select EARfit 4 database files.

  • Page 31: Settings

    The main reason for doing this is to facilitate automatic backup. An important limitation is that the EARfit database does not permit access by more than one PC at a time. The E-A-Rfit database currently does not support use on Sequel or SQL servers, which are designed to manage multiple users simultaneously.

  • Page 32: Software Updates

    Internet. To update your software: Click the link on the Home screen. This will prompt a download to your system. Close the current 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ window. Open the download and follow the prompts in the install wizard. User Support The User Support section is used for the following: •...

  • Page 33: Resources

    IMPORTANT NOTE An internet connection may be required to access the User Support features. Resources The Resources screen may be used to view and access the user manual, view live fit test video, view testing set-up for banded protectors and/or earmuffs and various other training videos.

  • Page 34: Request Technical Assistance

    Request Technical Assistance The Request Technical Assistance support page may be used to contact Technical Support with an 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System question. Fill out the form to request assistance. Check for Updates The Check for Updates support page is used to view and upload the most current software version.

  • Page 35: Standards/Directives

    Standards/Directives • ANSI/ASA S12.71-2018. “Performance Criteria for Systems That Estimate The Attenuation of Passive Hearing Protec- tors for Individual Users (The 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System is compliant to this standard starting with soft- ware version 5.9.1). • IEC 61010-1:2010. "Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use - Part 1: General requirements (3rd edition)".

  • Page 36: Measurements Computed

    Measurements Computed Octave band data computed in: 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz, 8000 Hz Personal attenuation rating Frequency weighting Mechanical Specifications Speaker housing Aluminum, black material Speaker size 6.5 in (16.5 cm) long; 3.75 in (9.5 cm) width; 6 in(15.2 cm) depth Speaker weight 3.1 lb (1,406 g)

  • Page 37: System Requirements

    Individual Users (starting with version 5.9.1). The principal change required by the new ANSI/ASA standard applies to how the uncertainty value is handled. By default, the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System has always taken a conservative approach by displaying the PAR minus uncertainty value as the overall PAR result. Any change to the uncertainty will automatically be incorporated in the PAR reported by the 3M™...

  • Page 38: Kit Components

    3M™ Hearing Protector Test Probes may be purchased through a 3M™ distributor. Contact 3M™ Within the United States Should your 3M equipment need to be returned for repair or for factory calibration, please contact the one of the following in the United States:...

  • Page 39: Outside The United States

    3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Repair Service Guide. Outside the United States Please contact your local 3M™ Technical Service person to coordinate the service or repair. Legal and Regulatory Information FCC/IC This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and Industry Canada’s license-exempt Radio Standards Specifications.

  • Page 40: Calibration

    (e.g., "hacking"). Limitation of Liability 3M™ takes no responsibility and shall bear no liability for use or misuse of individual or personally identifiable data. All responsibility for such data resides with the purchaser and/or employer.

Table of Contents

Save PDF