Sound Level Meter Standards

In order to get accurate and repeatable measurements, it is essential that a sound level meter meets the relevant standards. Most measurement regulations will state the standards that should be met by the equipment.

To satisfy most regulations, new meters should meet the standard IEC 61672 (or the British Standard equivalent BS EN 61672) to either Class 1 or Class 2. There are other standards for the Calibrator, for noise dosimeters, personal sound exposure meters, octave band filters and so on. Here is a summary of the most important standards.

Sound Level Meter Standards


Standard	Relates To

IEC 61672	Sound Level Meters	Electroacoustics - Sound level meters This is the most recent sound level meter standard and the one that modern measurement regulations will require. Grades in order of accuracy: Class 1, Class 2

IEC 60651	Sound Level Meters	Specification for Sound Level Meters This standard has been superseded by IEC 61672. Older meters meeting this standard can still be used for many applications. Originally this standard was called IEC 651, but was renamed IEC 60651. Grades in order of accuracy: Type 1, Type 2

IEC 60804	Sound Level Meters	Integrating-Averaging Sound Level Meters This standard has been superseded by IEC 61672. It was originally called IEC 804 but was renamed IEC 60804. It extends IEC 60651 and describes the performance of Integrating sound level meters.

ANSI S1.4	Sound Level Meters	Specifications for Sound Level Meters The American standard for sound level meter performance. Very similar to IEC 60651. Grades in order of accuracy: Type 1, Type 2

ANSI S1.43	Sound Level Meters	Specifications for Integrating-Averaging Sound Level Meters The American standard for Integrating sound level meters. Similar to IEC 60804.

IEC 61260	Sound Level Meters	Octave-band and Fractional-octave-band Filters Defines the performance for both analogue and digital octave band filters. Includes fractional filters, such as 1/3 octave band filters.

ANSI S1.11	Sound Level Meters	Octave-Band and Fractional-Octave-Band Analog and Digital Filters American standard defining octave band, 1/3 octave band and other fractional octave filters. Similar to the IEC 61260 standard.

IEC 60942	Sound Calibrators	Electroacoustics - Sound Calibrators Defines the performance and accuracy of sound level calibrators. Originally called IEC942, it was renamed to IEC60942. Grades in order of accuracy: Class 1, Class 2

ANSI S1.40	Sound Calibrators	Specifications and Verification Procedures for Sound Calibrators The American standard for sound level calibrators. Grades in order of accuracy: Type 1, Type 2

IEC 61252	Noise Dosimeters	Specifications for personal sound exposure meters Defines the requires for a PSEM or noise dosimeter.

ANSI S1.25	Noise Dosimeters	Specification for Personal Noise Dosimeters American standard for noise dosimeters.