3M AcoustiCal AC-300 User manual

AcoustiCal User Manual
3M Occupational Health & Environmental Safety Division
3MTM AcoustiCal AC-300 Calibrator
Precise,Simplistic
Calibration

AcoustiCal User Manual
3MTM AcoustiCal AC-300 Calibrator
Dangers, warnings and cautions
Danger!
Failure to observe the following procedures may result in serious personal
injury
•Not for use in explosive or hazardous locations. This product is not intrinsically
safe.
•Never place the AcoustiCal against your ear, harmful sound levels may be
present.
Warning!
Failure to observe the following procedures could damage the instrument
•Read the manual before operation.
•Do not store in temperatures exceeding 65°C (149°F).
•Do not immerse in liquids.
•Condensation may damage your instrument.
•Substitution of components may impair the accuracy of the instrument.
Repair should be done by authorized service personnel only.
Caution!
General
•Best results are achieved when the calibrator and sound measuring
instrument are given time to acclimate to the current environment.
•For proper calibration the ambient sound level should be less than 88 dBA.
•A non-condensing environment is required for proper measurements.
•An annual laboratory calibration is recommended to ensure accurate
calibration results. Between laboratory calibrations, or when there is an
accuracy question, the AcoustiCal may be field checked by comparing the
output with another AcoustiCal, or reference meter with similar
specifications/accuracy.
Intended Use:
The AcoustiCal is intended to calibrate precision Class/Type 1 and Class/Type 2
instruments with a microphone input. Consult your company’s safety professional
for local standards, or call 3M at 1-800-243-4630.

i Table of Contents
AcoustiCal User Manual
Table of Contents
AcoustiCal..................................................................................................................1
Models ..................................................................................................................1
AcoustiCal display indicators................................................................................ 1
Powering and settings ..........................................................................................1
Battery........................................................................................................................2
Low Battery...........................................................................................................2
Changing the battery ............................................................................................2
Performing a calibration.............................................................................................3
Factory service on the calibrator................................................................................4
Supported microphones and adapters....................................................................... 4
Specifications.............................................................................................................5
Conformance standards .......................................................................................5
Physical characteristics ........................................................................................5
Outputs .................................................................................................................5
Reference environmental conditions .................................................................... 5
Operating environmental conditions..................................................................... 5
Stabilization ..........................................................................................................5
Principal................................................................................................................5
Distortion...............................................................................................................5
Storage environmental conditions ........................................................................6
Coupler volume coefficient ...................................................................................6
Electromagnetic emissions and susceptibility ......................................................6
Background acoustic level....................................................................................6
Power....................................................................................................................6
3M Quest Service ......................................................................................................7
Warranty.....................................................................................................................8
Figures
Figure 1: Operating the calibrator ............................................................................. 1
Figure 2: Re-insert battery door................................................................................2
Figure 3: Closing battery door...................................................................................2
Figure 4: Example of performing a calibration .......................................................... 3

/ AcoustiCal
AcoustiCal User Manual
1
AcoustiCal
Models
The 3MTM AcoustiCal AC-300 is an acoustic calibrator for
calibrating precision Class/Type 1 as well as general
purpose Class/Type 2 sound level meters and noise
dosimeters.
The AC-300 produces two signals either 250 Hz or 1000
Hz at a sound pressure level of 114.0 dB.
Note:The sound pressure level and combinations of frequency outputs
conform to the requirements of the IEC standard 60942: 2003-1 sound
calibrators using all microphones listed (see “Supported microphones and
adapters”).
AcoustiCal display indicators
One of the following indicators may appear in the upper-left corner of the display
when the calibrator is powered on.
Low Battery indicator:If the low battery indicator is on, the battery should be
replaced.
Fault indicator:If the fault indicator is on, the level is incorrect. This may be
due to the microphone not being inserted properly.
Powering and settings
1. Press the key to power on the calibrator.
Figure 1: Operating the calibrator
2. Press the key to select 1000 Hz or 250 Hz at 114.0 dB.
3. Press and hold the key until the calibrator powers off.
Note: The AcoustiCal will automatically power off after 4 minutes from the
last key press.
Press to power on.Press again to change
frequency. Press and hold to power off.
Display

2Battery
AcoustiCal User Manual
Battery
A 9-volt battery is used to supply power to the calibrator.
Low Battery
At a low battery condition, the low battery indicator will appear. If the battery
level becomes too low, the calibrator will power off.
Changing the battery
The battery door is located on the top of the calibrator. You will need a
Phillips screwdriver to change the battery.
1. Loosen the screw on the end of the calibrator with a screwdriver.
2. Lift the battery door off of the calibrator and remove the battery.
3. Replace the battery it according to the polarity diagram inside the unit.
4. To re-insert the battery door, place the battery door over the battery
compartment ensuring that the foam pad is positioned over the battery
(see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Re-inserting battery door
5. Using your index finger, push the battery door into the slot of the housing.
(See Figure 3).
Figure 3: Closing battery door
6. Press the battery door into position and fasten the screw.
Battery door
Foam pad
Screw
Battery door
Slot

3Performing a calibration
AcoustiCal User Manual
Performing a calibration
A microphone is sensitive to temperature and pressure changes. Calibrating
before taking measurements assures that your level measurements are
accurate for the current environment; and performing a calibration after use
allows you to verify the integrity of both the calibrator and the sound level
meter.
Note: Please refer to the instrument’s user manual for details on calibrating.
1. Ensure the ambient noise level is less than 88 dBA.
2. Slowly insert the appropriate adapter (if needed) and microphone into the
calibrator cavity ensuring the microphone is fully seated (or inserted).
3. Power on the calibrator and allow at least 10 seconds to stabilize.
4. Set the appropriate frequency on the AcoustiCal by selecting 250 Hz or
1000 Hz via the key.
5. Perform the calibration with the sound level meter or dosimeter.
6. Power off when complete by pressing and holding the key.
Note: The microphone orientation is displayed below for a noise
dosimeter and a sound level meter.
Figure 4: Examples of performing a calibration

4Factory service on the calibrator
AcoustiCal User Manual
Factory service on the calibrator
3M Quest Technologies recommends checking the performance and precision of your
calibrator on an annual basis by sending it to a factory-authorized service center.
The AcoustiCal is calibrated at Quest Technologies laboratory, a 3M company, with a
Type L standard microphone and with special instrumentation traceable to NIST. The
calibrators are very stable; however, they are used to calibrate other equipment, and
should be checked periodically against laboratory standards.
Supported microphones and adapters
The AcoustiCal supports the following microphones used with the listed microphones,
calibrator adapters. All microphones are supplied by Quest Technologies, a 3M
company. Listed below are the 3M ID/Quest part numbers (Quest P/N).
Approved Microphones
Microphone
3M ID/Quest P/N
Calibration adapter
3M ID/Quest P/N
QE4110 microphone, 1/4" free-field
condenser, Class/Type 1
•Uses QE1160 ¼” to ½” preamp
adapter, Quest P/N: 059-488
•3M ID: 70-0715-8299-6
•
Quest P/N: 059-413
•3M ID: 70-0715-8113-9
•Quest P/N: 056-988
QE4130 ½” free-field condenser,
Class/Type 1
•3M ID: 70-0715-8298-8
•
Quest P/N: 058-659
•3M ID: 70-0715-8115-4
•Quest P/N: 056-990
BK4936 ½” free-field electret,
Class/Type 1
•3M ID: 70-0715-8300-2
•Quest P/N: 059-523
•3M ID: 70-0715-8115-4
•
Quest P/N: 056-990
QE7052 microphone, 1/2” free-field
electret Class/Type 2
•3M ID: 70-0715-8290-5
•Quest P/N: 056-317
•3M ID: 70-0715-8115-4
•Quest P/N: 056-990
QE4150 microphone, ½” free-field
condenser, Class/Type 1
•3M ID: 70-0715-8296-2
•Quest P/N: 058-489
•3M ID: 70-0715-8290-5
•Quest P/N: 056-990
QE4170 microphone, 1" pressure
condenser, Class/Type 1
•Uses ½” to 1” preamp adapter,
Quest P/N: 058-376/3M ID: 70-
0715-8112-1
•3M ID: 70-0715-8295-4
•
Quest P/N: 058-488
N/A
3MTM Edge Microphone, ¼” free field
electret Class/Type 2
•3M ID: 70-0715-8304-4
•Quest P/N: 057-309
•3M ID: 70-0715-8106-3
•Quest P/N: 053-753
Pendant microphone, Class/Type 2
•3M ID: 70-0715-8304-4
•
Quest P/N: 053-867
•3M ID: 70-0715-8107-1
•
Quest P/N: 053-884
Boom microphone, Class/Type 2
•
Part number: 053-887
•3M ID: 70-0715-8289-7
•Quest P/N: 053-887
•3M ID: 70-0715-8107-1
•Quest P/N: 053-884
Microphone ½” SD-200, non-
removable Class/Type 2
•3M ID 70-0715-6546-2
•3M ID 70-0715-8115-4
•Quest P/N: 56-990
Microphone used for certification of
AC-300 per IEC 61094: B&K 4192,
½” Pressure Condenser, Class/Type 1
supplied by Bruel and Kjaer
N/A
•3M ID 70-0715-8115-4
•
Quest P/N: 56-990

5Specifications
AcoustiCal User Manual
Specifications
Conformance standards
ANSI S1.40-1983 (R2006): Specifications and Verification Procedures for Sound Calibrators
IEC 60942 (2003-01): Electroacoustics, Sound Calibrators
CE, RoHS, WEEE, C-Tick
Physical characteristics
Size
(Length x Width x Thickness)
Weight
10 cm x 5.8 cm x 4.6 cm
3.9” x 2.3” x 1.8”
0.17 kg (6oz)
Outputs
Frequency
251.2 Hz and 1000.0 Hz, +/- 0.5%with expanded
uncertainty in environmental conditions
Sound pressure level
114.0 dB re 20μPA (1 Pa = 1 N/m2)
Sound pressure level accuracy
+/- 0.4 dB with expanded uncertainty in the reference
environment (initial difference)
+/- 0.4 dB with expanded uncertainty in the operating
environmental conditions, added to initial difference
Variation in output due to power
Less than +/- 0.1 dB
Reference environmental conditions
Temperature range
20°C to 26°C (68 °F to 79°F)
Pressure range
97kPa to 105kPa (29 to 31 inches of Hg)
Relative humidity range
40% to 65% humidity
Large temperature settling time
about 1 min/ °C (approximately 30 sec/°F)
Operating environmental conditions
Temperature range
-10°C to 50 °C (14°F to 122°F)
Pressure range
65kPa to 108kPa (19 to 32 inches of Hg)
Approximate 3500m to -600m elevation relative to sea
level (11500ft to -2000ft).
Relative humidity range
10% to 90%, non-condensing
Stabilization
•Stabilization time after powering the calibrator on and coupling to a microphone is 10
seconds.
Principal
•The principal sound pressure level is 114 dB.
•The principal frequency is 1 kHz
Distortion
Less than 3% (all harmonics below 30.5 dB) within temperature and humidity at either
operating frequencies, unless “overload” is showing.

6Specifications
AcoustiCal User Manual
Storage environmental conditions
Storage temperature range
-20°C to 65°C (-4 °F to 149°F) with battery
removed.
Storage humidity range
0% to 90% non-condensing
Coupler volume coefficient
No effect until overload occurs.
Electromagnetic emissions and susceptibility
Emission better than CISPR 22, Class/Type B susceptibility better than 10 V/m, 150 kHz to
1GHz. 50/60 Hz magnetic immunity. No effect. 80 A/m
Background acoustic level
Requires greater than 25 dB signal-to-noise ratio, for optimum performance. If external noise
is too high, it may reduce output level.
Power
Battery type
1 x 9v alkaline battery.
(Quest 058-176, ANSI/NEDA 1604A, IEC 6LR61)
Battery life
The battery life will be approximately 18 hours (@ 1kHz) at reference
environmental conditions, mounted on a microphone.

73M Quest Service
AcoustiCal User Manual
3M Quest Service
Should your Quest Technologies, a 3M company, equipment need to be
returned for repair or for recalibration, please contact the service department
at the following numbers or access the online form via the website.
•In the United States Contact
Quest Technologies, a 3M company
Service Department
1060 Corporate Center Drive, Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Phone: [phone] Toll Free: 800-245-0779 Fax: [phone]
Email: quest.[email protected]m
Website: http://www.questtechnologies.com/Service.aspx
•In Canada Contact
Pylon Atlantic
A Division of Pylon Electronics, Inc.
31 Trider Crescent, Dartmouth, NS Canada B3B 1V6
Telephone: [phone] ext 235 Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
•In Europe Contact
3M Service Centre
3M Health Care Limited
11 Seymour Court
Manor Park, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 1SY, ENGLAND
Office: 44 01928 532595 Triminet: 8227 2595
Email: [e-mail] (Richard Norton, Service Centre Manager)
•For Service Outside the United States, Canada and Europe
Contact your locally authorized Quest, a 3M company, Distributor. For
assistance, email customer service: [e-mail]

Warranty
AcoustiCal User Manual
8
Warranty
Quest Technologies, a 3M company, warrants our instruments to be free
from defects in materials and workmanship for one year under normal
conditions of use and service. For United States customers, we will
replace or repair (our option) defective instruments at no charge, excluding
batteries, abuse, misuse, alterations, physical damage, or instruments
previously repaired by other than Quest Technologies, a 3M company.
Microphones, sensors, printers, and chart recorders may have shorter or
longer warranty periods. This warranty states our total obligation in place
of any other warranties expresses or implied. Our warranty does not
include any liability or obligation directly resulting from any defective
instrument or product or any associated damages, injuries, or property
loss, including loss of use or measurement data.
For warranty outside the United States, a minimum of one year warranty,
applies subject to the same limitation and exceptions as above with service
provided or arranged through the authorized Quest distributor or our Quest
European Service Laboratory. Foreign purchases should contact the local
Quest authorized sales agent for details.

Occupational Health &
Environmental Safety Division
Quest Technologies, a 3M Company
ISO 9001 Registered Company
ISO 17025 Accredited Calibration Lab
1060 Corporate Center Drive
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Customer Service: 262-567-9157
Toll Free: 800-245-0779
Visit: www.3M.com/detection
Please recycle. Printed in USA.
© 2012 3M
All rights reserved.
053-591, Rev. B; 7/12
About Us
3M Quest Technologies is a world class manufacturer of rugged, reliable instrumentation and software
systems that help monitor and evaluate occupational and environmental health and safety hazards, including
noise dosimetry, heat stress, indoor air quality and select toxic/combustible gases. The 3M Detection brand
of instrumentation is used by safety and industrial hygiene professionals to help comply with applicable
occupational standards and regulations.
About 3M and 3M’s Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Division
3M Detection Solutions is part of 3M OH&ES Division, a global leader in respiratory,
hearing, eye, head and fall protection, visibility and protective clothing, and noise
detection and sound measurement products. 3M captures the spark of new ideas
and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative
collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life
better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $30 billion in
sales, 3M employs about 84,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65
countries.