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Mini Sound Level Meter


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Mini Sound Level Meter

only £19.99 - on sale until 24/12/2009

Order Code: N33GJ
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Product Features


  • Suitable for audio and general purpose applications in warehouses, manufacturing units, offices, schools, pubs, clubs etc
  • High performance and auto LCD backlight
  • High and low measurement ranges
  • Maximum hold
  • Auto power off
  • ½ inch electret condenser microphone
  • Measuring level range 40 to 130 dB
  • LCD display

High quality mini meter which is ideal for measurement of noise levels in various environments including warehouses, manufacturing units, offices, schools, pubs and clubs.

Technical Specification

  
Specification
Frequency range:31.5Hz ~ 8KHz
Measuring level range:40 ~ 130 dB
Frequency weighting:C
Microphone:½ inch electret condenser microphone
Display:LCD
Digital Display:4 digits
Resolution: 0.1dB
Display Up data: 0.5 sec.
Time weighting:FAST (125mS)
Accuracy:± 3.5dB @1KHz, 94dB(under reference conditions)
Alarm function:OVER" is shown when input is out of range (>130dB)
Auto Power off:Meter automatically shuts down after approx. 15 minutes of inactivity
Power supply:One 9V battery, 006P or IEC 6F22 or NEDA 1604
Operation temperature:0 to 40° C (32 to 104° F)
Operation humidity:10 to 90% RH
Storage Temperature:-10 to 60° C (14 to 104° F)
Dimension (LxWxH):210x55x32mm
Weight:135g (including battery)
Accessories:9V battery, Instruction manual







Customer Reviews on this Product
David (16/09/2009)

I bought a Maplin Sound Level Meter to see what it could do for just £14.99. I suspected it was a ‘toy’ as it is clearly made to look and feel like a miniature professional sound level meter. Looks cost money – so I suspected the performance would be very poor. In fact I was quite wrong.

Before describing its performance – its important to note that this sound level meter reports only the ‘C’ weighed total sound level. ‘C’ weighting treats low and high frequencies equally - which you might imagine was just what you wanted do do.
However the ear is not very sensitive to low frequencies and so estimates of noise annoyance normally use the ‘A’ weighted measurement which reflects the ears insensitivity to quiet low frequency sound, sounds like distant trafic noise, air conditioning rumble etc. The Maplin unit doesnt have an A weighting option so you cant really compare the decibel sound levels it gives you with most published tables. Look for ‘dBA’ in reports of noise level, and where it just says dB it means dBA.

This meter measures only dBC. Does this matter much? Yes it can- really low frequency noise is often the strongest sound present and its annoyance or loudness value will be over estimated by this instrument by maybe 10 or even 20dBs. Having said that – the unit really does measure actual pressure sound level accuratley to the ‘C’ standard. Although environmental noise professional dont tell you this, the loudness of really loud noise is much more accurately represented by the ‘C’ measurement than the ‘A value! This instrument will give you a true dBC sound level reading which will relate to the loudness for loud sounds but will tend to over rate ordinary medium and low level sounds IF they contain low frequencies.

Now for the technical stuff. I took the meter into the labs of UCLs Ear Institute and found the calibration to be spot on from 32Hz to 10kHz. At 1kHz the reading was within +-2dB from 44 to 114dB C. A look inside revealed a surface mount pcb packed with about 10 ICs and as many trim pots – far too many for the simple function. This is clearly a multifunction circuit designed to do a lot more in other models- including an A weighted version.

You need to decide if the dBC model is what you really need - but there is no doubt that the unit does what it says it does.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q- Can this be used in a car to measure SPL - Terry

Answer- Yes the product does support that.

Q- Previous Q & A's say that the product has no calibration instructions and does not come already calibrated. My question is: Is this unit ready to use 'out of the box' so I can accurately measure SPL in a church setting? - Chris Pickering

Answer- This should be absolutely fine.

Q- |s this meter suitable for measuring Disco noise levels from adjacent properties eg Pub Disco next door or across the road. - Sturt Nunn

Answer- This should be absolutely fine for that purpose.

Q- can this meter be used externally? - Alex

Answer- The product is not designed for external use. It should be ok in clear conditions but we would not recommend it for external use

Q- I want to measure the decibel level of people's ipods and MP3s, to see whether they are exceeding the recommended 85db and damaging their hearing. Would this device be suitable to do this? - Bobbie

Answer- Yes the product does support that.

Q- Would this item be suitable for setting speaker levels on a home cinema system? - Matt

Answer- Yes the product should assist for that situation.

Q- Hi, does this come calibrated? - Chris

Answer- No sorry none of our items are pre-calibrated.

Q- Does this sound level metre store / record the sound levels for future reference. - Mark

Answer- No sorry this product does not support that.

Q- Does this item come with calibration instructions? - Sue

Answer- No sorry this product does not have calibration instructions.

Q- Could I use this for measuring the noise of a PC system? - Jake Sedge

Answer- Yes the product could be used for PC noise level checks.


 
 
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