SKC SoundCHEK Operating Instructions Manual

Sound level meter

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SoundCHEK Essential Sound Level Meter
Cat. Nos. 702-001 and 702-002
Operating Instructions
(left/right, up/down)
Power on/off key,
reset, screen grab
Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 4
Checking Kit Contents ............................................................................................................................... 4
Parameters and Features .......................................................................................................................... 4
Microphone and Preamplifier..................................................................................................................... 4
Removing the Microphone ..................................................................................................................... 4
Attaching/Removing the Preamplifier .................................................................................................... 5
Certifiable Calibration ................................................................................................................................ 5
skcinc.com
Battery
compartment
(on back)
Soft Key 1
Arrow keys
Figure 1. SoundCHEK Essential Overview
Form 37177 Rev 200910
1/2-inch
microphone with
windscreen
Screen
Soft Key 2
OK
Record/Stop
Page 1

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Summary of Contents for SKC SoundCHEK

  • Page 1 SoundCHEK Essential Sound Level Meter Cat. Nos. 702-001 and 702-002 Operating Instructions 1/2-inch microphone with windscreen Battery compartment (on back) Screen Soft Key 2 Soft Key 1 Arrow keys (left/right, up/down) Record/Stop Power on/off key, reset, screen grab Figure 1. SoundCHEK Essential Overview Table of Contents Introduction..............................
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Measuring Sound ............................5 Sound Level – General Recommendations ................... 5 Reflections ............................. 6 Time Weighting ............................6 Frequency Weighting Filters ........................6 Overload and Under Range ........................8 Getting Started ............................10 Using the Keypad ............................ 10 Powering the Sound Level Meter ......................10 Determining Battery Level ........................
  • Page 3 Calibration ............................28 View History ............................29 Information ............................31 Measurement Screens ..........................31 Measurements ............................. 32 Measurements Table ........................... 33 Exposure .............................. 33 Percentiles (L ) ............................ 34 Accessories/Replacement Parts ......................... 35 Appendix A: Performance Profile ........................ 36 skcinc.com Form 37177 Rev 200910 Page 3...
  • Page 4 INTRODUCTION Checking Kit Contents If you ordered Cat. No. Your package should contain 702-001 Class 1 meter, rubber boot, 4 AA batteries USB cable, wrist strap, windscreen, and USB drive with manual, in a protective carry case 702-002 Class 2 meter, rubber boot, 4 AA batteries USB cable, wrist strap, windscreen, and USB drive with manual, in a protective carry case Parameters and Features Template: All Parameters...
  • Page 5: Measuring Sound

    The calibration process includes the microphone, preamplifier and sound level meter. Any change in this measurement chain will require a new calibration certificate. SKC offers a complete calibration service offering a NIST calibration that can be supplied with or without a test report.
  • Page 6: Reflections

    The SoundCHEK Essential will register an overload if the noise level exceeds the linear operating range of the range selected by 0.5 dB, so it is advisable to determine if an overload will occur on the selected range before measuring. In such cases, you will need to select a higher range to accommodate the higher peak levels.
  • Page 7 A Weighting The SPL is filtered in such a manner as to reflect the hearing response of a human ear. The signal is progressively attenuated at the higher and lower ends of the audible frequency range but much more attenuation occurs at the lower end of the audible frequency range. Generally, this is the most commonly used frequency weighting.
  • Page 8: Overload And Under Range

    The SoundCHEK Essential will display these events as “OL” (overload) and “UR” (under range) in bold red lettering or inside a red box. They will always be displayed in the same place on each measurement screen.
  • Page 9 Overload Under Range skcinc.com Form 37177 Rev 200910 Page 9...
  • Page 10: Getting Started

    (see right). Replace the battery door securely before using the instrument. Determining Battery Level The SoundCHEK Essential is equipped with a multi-level battery indicator: 100% skcinc.com Form 37177 Rev 200910...
  • Page 11: Turning Power On/Off

    At approximately 5% charge, the battery indicator will FLASH RED. If the batteries are not replaced, the unit will automatically shut down and save the recording if necessary. Turning Power On/Off Turn on: In all power configurations, press and hold the Power key for approximately one second. Turn off: Hold the Power key down for approximately two seconds and follow the on-screen instructions shown below.
  • Page 12: Interpreting Instrument Icons

    Interpreting Instrument Icons Several icons are used on the sound level meter to easily identify the functionality or useful settings of the instrument. Low Measuring Range Active Medium Measuring Range Active High Measuring Range Active USB Active Battery Charge Recording Data Active File Review Active The top dark orange bar on the screen displays most of the information icons, the current time, date, measurement range and the current screen selected.
  • Page 13: Operation

    OPERATION The SoundCHEK Essential sound level meter has three primary operational modes: • Real Time • Recording • File Review Each mode can be quickly identified by viewing the bottom bar: Real Time has no icon, Record has a standard red record symbol, and File Review shows a green directional arrow.
  • Page 14: Time History Disabled

    Time History Disabled If Time History is not enabled for the recording, the bottom bar will only indicate the elapsed recording time. Elapsed recording time Time History Enabled When Time History is enabled for the recording, the bottom bar will display the elapsed recording time and the current interval countdown time.
  • Page 15: Time History Enabled, Duration Timer Set

    Time History Enabled, Duration Timer Set When both Time History and Duration Timer are enabled for the recording, the bottom bar will display the elapsed recording time and the current interval countdown time. Interval countdown time Elapsed recording time Stop Active Recording Pressing the Stop key during an active recording will display the available options: Save: Select Yes by pressing Soft Key 2.
  • Page 16: Auto Playback

    Auto Playback is located in the File Manager section of the Main Menu and can be enabled or disabled by pressing OK. When enabled, after a recording has been saved, your SoundCHEK Essential will automatically enter File Review instead of returning to Real Time mode.
  • Page 17: Menu Structure

    Menu Structure skcinc.com Form 37177 Rev 200910 Page 17...
  • Page 18: Menu Navigation And Settings

    The Main Menu can be selected using Soft Key 1 when labelled as Menu. On most screens in the SoundCHEK Essential menu system, Soft Key 1 can be used to go back to the previous screen. This will be displayed as the symbol when available.
  • Page 19 Range: SoundCHEK Essential has three operating ranges: Low, Medium, and High. Each range measures linearly, with Low measuring 25 to 100 dB, Medium measuring 45 to 120 dB. and High measuring 65 to 140 dB. Frequency Weighting: SoundCHEK Essential simultaneously measures sound on Measurement 1 and Measurement 2, and each one has different Frequency Weightings applied.
  • Page 20 1. Scroll the available options using the Up or Down Arrow keys. 2. Press OK or the Left, Right Arrow keys to toggle Time History On. 3. Use the Left or Right Arrow keys to amend the values for Short Time Interval and Long Time Interval.
  • Page 21 Exposure The Exposure menu allows you to alter how SoundCHEK Essential records Exposure data. Scroll the available options using the directional Arrow keys and press the Left and Right Arrow keys to toggle the highlighted selection. UK/EU: Select this option for requirements meeting UK or EU legislation. Exchange Rate, Criterion and Threshold are fixed as below: •...
  • Page 22: File Manager

    Percentiles Under Percentiles, commonly referred to as LNs, you can select one user defined LN level that is to be recorded. Highlight the required LN and press the OK key to toggle the LN on. Notes: • The instrument can measure 3 Percentiles simultaneously, one user selected from the selection above and L10 and L90, which are fixed.
  • Page 23: Load File

    Load File 1. Scroll through the saved data files using the Up or Down Arrow keys and press the OK Key to open the selected file in File Review mode. The file number and total number of data files saved are located at the top left hand side of the list.
  • Page 24: Delete File

    Delete File Choose Delete File to delete one individual data recording. 1. Scroll through the available data files using the Up or Down Arrow keys and press OK to select the file to delete. If multiple files exist, use the Left or Right Arrow keys to scroll the data files by page.
  • Page 25: Templates

    Templates Select Templates to change your current Template. Scroll through the available options using the Up or Down Arrow keys, press OK to choose the highlighted template. The Template enabled will determine which parameters your instrument will or will not measure: •...
  • Page 26: Date

    3. Auto Dim will automatically dim the screen to after a set time to reduce operating power and increase battery run time. Use the Left, Right Arrow keys to adjust the Auto Dim to: Off or 1 to 15 (minutes) – 1 minute is recommended Note: Pressing any key while auto dim is active will return the screen to its standard brightness setting.
  • Page 27: Bar Levels

    Bar Levels Select to adjust the levels at which color coding of the bar levels appear (see examples below). 1. Scroll the options using the Up or Down Arrow keys. 2. Use the Left, Right Arrow keys to adjust as follows: Yellow: 40 to 100 dB Red: 80 to 140 dB Red values cannot be set lower than Yellow values, and any value below Yellow will be displayed as...
  • Page 28: Language

    It is recommended that the calibration procedure is performed before and after measurements have been taken using an SKC AcoustiCHEK Calibrator Cat. No. 703 Series with an equivalent class rating (or better) to match the model of your SoundCHEK Essential sound level meter.
  • Page 29: View History

    2. When the Calibrate to value is set correctly, including corrections, press OK (see screen at above right) to begin calibrating your SoundCHEK Essential sound meter. A message will appear at the bottom of the screen indicating that calibration is taking place.
  • Page 30 Calibrator S/N Enter the serial number (S/N) of the calibrator being used to calibrate your SoundCHEK Essential sound level meter here. The entered number will be linked as reference with the calibration history, allowing for calibration traceability. 1. Use the Up, Down Arrow keys to adjust the value.
  • Page 31: Information

    Select Information to show instrument-specific details. Measurement Screens The SoundCHEK Essential sound level meter can independently and simultaneously record two measurements. Each measurement can have different time weightings and/or frequency weightings. To clearly identify these, they are named Measurement 1 and Measurement 2 throughout the menu system when choosing settings.
  • Page 32: Measurements

    Measurements Your SoundCHEK Essential instrument will always show the Measurement Screen below after powering Measurement 2 Measurement 1* *Measurement 1 on this screen is identified by the larger font size. The color-coded measurement bar graph is only applicable to Measurement 1, and the values at which the color banding changes can be amended.
  • Page 33: Measurements Table

    Measurements Table The Measurements Table conveniently shows all standard parameter values available on the sound level meter for both Measurement 1 and Measurement 2: Exposure The Exposure screen is calculated from Measurement 1 only. See Exposure in Measurement Setup for details on how to change the calculated Measurements.
  • Page 34: Percentiles (L )

    Percentiles (L SoundCHEK Essential can measure a maximum of 3 percentiles at any one time. L and L are fixed and one additional percentile can be selected from L or L under Percentiles (LN) in Measurement Setup. User-selected percentile skcinc.com...
  • Page 35: Accessories/Replacement Parts

    SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy SKC products are subject to the SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, which provides SKC’s sole liability and the buyer’s exclusive remedy. To view the complete SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, go to http://www.skcinc.com/warranty.
  • Page 36: Appendix A: Performance Profile

    APPENDIX A: PERFORMANCE PROFILE Class Available in Class 1 or 2 Measurement Range Linear 25 to 140 dB Peak 40 to 143 dB Frequency Range 20 Hz to 20 kHz Frequency Weighting A, C, and Z Response Time Fast, Slow, and Impulse Measurement Channels Exchange Rate 3 dB, 4 dB, and 5 dB...

This manual is also suitable for:

702-001702-002

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