IEC 61672-2-2017 PDF

Full title and description

Electroacoustics — Sound level meters — Part 2: Pattern evaluation tests. This document (IEC 61672-2:2013 with Amendment 1:2017) specifies laboratory test methods and reporting requirements used to verify that sound level meters (Class 1 and Class 2, including time-weighting, integrating-averaging and integrating instruments) conform to the mandatory specifications of IEC 61672-1.

Abstract

Provides detailed pattern-evaluation test procedures (environmental, electrostatic and radio‑frequency tests, electroacoustical performance tests, level linearity, self-noise, weighting checks, directional response, timing and integrating functions), acceptance criteria including consideration of measurement uncertainty, and the required content of a pattern-evaluation report for type approval and certification of sound level meters.

General information

• Status: Current — IEC 61672-2:2013 as amended by Amendment 1 (2017).
• Publication date: Original IEC publication: 13 December 2013; Amended as IEC 61672-2:2013/A1:2017 (amendment published in 2017 — IEC entry April 4, 2017; CENELEC/EN amendment recorded July 7, 2017).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). (Also adopted as EN/CENELEC national versions and issued by national bodies.)
• ICS / categories: 17.140.50 (Electroacoustics — sound level meters).
• Edition / version: IEC 61672-2:2013, amended by A1:2017 (commonly referenced as IEC 61672-2:2013/A1:2017 or EN 61672-2:2013/A1:2017).
• Number of pages: Typically published as ~48 pages in EN/BS adoptions (page counts vary slightly by national publications).

Scope

Specifies the laboratory pattern-evaluation tests and associated procedures needed to demonstrate conformance of sound level meter types to the mandatory specifications in IEC 61672-1. Tests apply to each channel of multi-channel systems where relevant and cover Class 1 and Class 2 instruments. The scope includes environmental conditioning and limits, electrostatic and radio‑frequency immunity, radio‑frequency emissions, electroacoustical performance (frequency-weighting, directional response, windscreen and coupler corrections), performance tests (linearity, self-generated noise, timing and integrating behaviour, peak measurements) and requirements for reporting and uncertainty assessment at 95 % coverage.

Key topics and requirements

• Pattern-evaluation test methods for each channel of multi-channel sound level meters and for Class 1 and Class 2 devices.
• Environmental tests: temperature, relative humidity, static pressure ranges, acclimatisation and associated uncertainty evaluation.
• Electrostatic discharge, power‑frequency and radio‑frequency immunity tests and limits.
• Electroacoustical checks: frequency-weighting (A, C, Z), directional response, free‑field and coupler methods, windscreen corrections and conversions to free‑field/random incidence.
• Performance tests: level linearity, self‑generated noise, timing/time‑weighting decay constants, toneburst responses, C‑weighted peak, electrical outputs and crosstalk.
• Conformance criteria that combine measured deviations and the measurement uncertainty (95 % coverage) for acceptance.
• Required content and format of a pattern‑evaluation report to support type approval and certification.

Typical use and users

Used by test laboratories performing type approval or pattern evaluation, manufacturers of sound level meters for design verification and certification, conformity assessment bodies, research and acoustics consultants validating instrument performance, and procurement/specification engineers who require validated instrument performance for environmental and occupational noise measurements.

Related standards

Key related documents include IEC 61672-1 (Part 1: Specifications for sound level meters), IEC 60942 (sound calibrators), IEC 61094 series (measurement microphones and calibration methods), and national/adopted EN versions such as EN 61672-2:2013/A1:2017. Many railway and machinery-noise standards reference EN/IEC 61672 parts for instrumentation requirements.

Keywords

sound level meter, pattern evaluation, IEC 61672-2, A1:2017, electroacoustics, calibration, environmental tests, electromagnetic immunity, level linearity, measurement uncertainty.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61672-2 (Part 2) defines laboratory pattern‑evaluation tests and reporting requirements used to verify that sound level meters meet the mandatory specifications of IEC 61672-1. It is published as IEC 61672-2:2013 and amended by A1:2017.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers environmental conditioning and tests, electrostatic and radio‑frequency immunity, electroacoustical performance checks (weightings, directional response, coupler/free‑field methods), performance tests (linearity, self-noise, timing, peak measurements), criteria combining deviations and measurement uncertainty, and the format of the pattern-evaluation report.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Accredited test laboratories, manufacturers of sound level meters, certification bodies, acoustic consultants and procurement engineers who need to demonstrate and verify instrument type performance for environmental, community and occupational noise measurement.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2013 edition with Amendment 1 (2017) is the currently adopted IEC/EN text for Part 2. There is no newer full Part 2 replacement published at the time of this page’s preparation; users should check IEC or their national standards body for any later amendments or corrigenda after 2017.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 61672 is a multipart series. Part 1 specifies instrument specifications, Part 2 specifies pattern-evaluation tests, and other related documents (microphone calibration, sound calibrators) complement the series.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Sound level meter, pattern evaluation, performance tests, measurement uncertainty, electroacoustics, IEC 61672-2, amendment A1:2017.