CESVA SC260 User manual

SC260
Sound Level Meter
Spectrum Analyser
User’s Manual
MANUAL DEL USUARIO
USER’S MANUAL
BENUTZERHANDBUCH
MANUEL D'INSTRUCTIONS
MANUALE D’USO
MANUAL DE L’USUARI
M_SC260_v0008_20171024_EN

SC260
User’s Manual
1
ENGLISH
CONTENTS
1. GENERAL FEATURES..................................................................................................... 5
1.1 Operating modes and functions.................................................................................... 5
1.2 Main features of the SC260.......................................................................................... 7
1.3 Description of the SC260.............................................................................................. 9
1.4 Screen.........................................................................................................................11
1.5 Using the keyboard .....................................................................................................11
2. USING THE SC260..........................................................................................................14
2.1 First steps ...................................................................................................................14
2.1.1 Material and literature .......................................................................................14
2.1.2 SC260 power supply.........................................................................................14
2.1.3 Connecting and disconnecting the preamplifier, using the extension cable, the
windscreen and the outdoor kit ......................................................................................15
2.2 Beginning a measurement...........................................................................................17
2.2.1 Starting the SC260............................................................................................17
2.2.2 Selecting the measurement mode.....................................................................17
2.2.3 Checking the SC260.........................................................................................19
2.3 Measuring in sound level meter mode.........................................................................20
2.3.1 Prior adjustments: Preferential screen and integration time...............................20
2.3.2 Beginning a measurement ................................................................................22
2.3.3 Function display................................................................................................22
2.3.4 Interrupting a measurement ..............................................................................25
2.3.5 Consulting the data measured...........................................................................25
2.4 Measuring in spectrum analyser mode 1/1..................................................................26
2.4.1 Prior adjustments: integration time....................................................................26
2.4.2 Beginning a measurement ................................................................................27
2.4.3 Function display................................................................................................27
2.4.4 Stopping a measurement..................................................................................30
2.4.5 Consulting the data measured...........................................................................30
2.5 Measuring in spectrum analyser 1/3 mode..................................................................31
2.5.1 Prior adjustments: Integration time...................................................................31
2.5.2 Beginning a measurement ................................................................................32
2.5.3 Function display................................................................................................32
2.5.4 Interrupting a measurement ..............................................................................33
2.5.5 Consulting the data measured...........................................................................33
2.6 Overload indicator.......................................................................................................34
2.7 SC260 menu: Register management and settings ......................................................34
2.7.1 Accessing the menu..........................................................................................34
2.7.2 The SC260 menu..............................................................................................35
2.7.3 Register management.......................................................................................35
2.7.4 Printing..............................................................................................................35
2.7.5 Settings.............................................................................................................36
2.8 Turning the SC260 off.................................................................................................38
2.9 Warnings and precautions...........................................................................................38
2.10 Advice for carrying out measurements ......................................................................39

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3. DATA REGISTRATION ...................................................................................................40
3.1 Saving results..............................................................................................................40
3.2 Making a recording......................................................................................................41
3.2.1 Time synchronisation........................................................................................41
3.3 Kinds of recording .......................................................................................................42
3.3.1 Recording in sound level meter mode...............................................................42
3.3.2 Recording in spectrum analyser 1/1 mode ........................................................43
3.3.3 Recording in spectrum analyser 1/3 mode ........................................................44
3.3.4 Circular memory................................................................................................46
3.4 Viewing registers.........................................................................................................46
3.5 Erasing the memory....................................................................................................46
4. DATA TRANSFER AND PRINT-OUT..............................................................................47
4.1 AC output: recording calibrated measurements...........................................................47
4.2 RS-232 communications port ......................................................................................48
4.3 USB communications port...........................................................................................49
4.4 Data transfer to a PC: communication software...........................................................49
5. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS......................................................................................51
5.1 Measurement range....................................................................................................51
5.2 Detector - Functions LF, LSand LI................................................................................52
5.3 Peak detector - Lpeak function.......................................................................................52
5.4 Integrator - LT, Ltand LEfunctions...............................................................................52
5.5 Display update rates....................................................................................................53
5.6 Frequency weighting...................................................................................................53
5.7 AC output....................................................................................................................54
5.8 Octave band filters ......................................................................................................54
5.9 Measurement range (octave band spectrum analyser)................................................55
5.10 One-third octave band filters .....................................................................................55
5.11 Measurement range (one-third octave spectrum analyser)........................................56
5.12 Microphone ...............................................................................................................56
5.13 Directivity ..................................................................................................................56
5.14 Effect of the accessories on the microphone.............................................................57
5.15 Reference conditions.................................................................................................58
5.16 Warm-up time............................................................................................................58
5.17 Influence of temperature............................................................................................58
5.18 Influence of humidity .................................................................................................58
5.19 Electromagnetic compatibility....................................................................................59
5.20 Influence of vibration.................................................................................................59
5.21 Batteries & external supply........................................................................................60
5.22 Dimensions and weight .............................................................................................60
5.23 Memory.....................................................................................................................60
5.24 Calibration.................................................................................................................60
5.25 Standards..................................................................................................................61
5.26 Notes.........................................................................................................................61
5.27 Accessories...............................................................................................................62
6. APPENDIX A: Functions ................................................................................................63
6.1 Function summary table..............................................................................................63
6.1.1 Sound level meter mode functions....................................................................63
6.1.2 1/1 Spectrum analyser mode functions .............................................................64
6.1.3 1/3 Spectrum analyser mode functions .............................................................64
6.2 Definition of functions..................................................................................................65
6.2.1 Sound pressure level with fast and slow time weightings ..................................65

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6.2.2 Sound pressure level with ‘I’ time weighting ......................................................65
6.2.3 Sound pressure peak level................................................................................66
6.2.4 Equivalent continuous sound pressure level......................................................66
6.2.5 Sound exposure level (SEL)..............................................................................67
6.2.6 Percentile levels................................................................................................67
7. APPENDIX B: Reverberation Time Module...................................................................68
7.1 Activation of the Reverberation Time Module..............................................................68
7.2 Using the keyboard .....................................................................................................69
7.3 Using the SC260.........................................................................................................69
7.3.1 Switching on the SC260....................................................................................69
7.3.2 Accessing the Reverberation Time Mode 1/1...................................................69
7.3.3 Accessing the Reverberation Time Mode 1/3...................................................69
7.3.4 Switching off the SC260....................................................................................70
7.3.5 SC260 menu.....................................................................................................70
7.4 Measuring the Reverberation Time by octave bands...................................................70
7.4.1 Measuring the Reverberation Time ...................................................................70
7.4.2 Beginning a measurement ................................................................................70
7.4.3 Stopping the measurement...............................................................................72
7.4.4 Overload indicator.............................................................................................72
7.4.5 --- Indicator........................................................................................................73
7.5 Measuring the Reverberation Time by one-third octave bands....................................73
7.5.1 Measuring the Reverberation Time ...................................................................73
7.5.2 Displaying the one-third octave bands...............................................................73
7.5.3 Beginning a measurement ................................................................................74
7.5.4 Stopping the measurement...............................................................................75
7.5.5 Overload indicator)............................................................................................75
7.5.6 Indicator (---).....................................................................................................76
7.6 Data register................................................................................................................76
7.6.1 Saving results ...................................................................................................76
7.6.2 View register.....................................................................................................76
7.7 Technical Specifications..............................................................................................77
7.7.1 Measurement Range.........................................................................................77
7.7.2 Estimation of the slope of the decay curve........................................................79
7.7.3 Standards of measurement and calculation.......................................................79
7.8 Function summary table..............................................................................................79
7.8.1 Reverberation time mode functions...................................................................79
7.9 Definition of functions..................................................................................................80
7.9.1 Decay curve......................................................................................................80
7.9.2 Reverberation Time...........................................................................................80
8. APPENDIX C: Extended frequency module..................................................................81
8.1 Activation of the Extended frequency analysis module................................................81
8.2 Using the keyboard for 1/3 Extended Spectrum Analyser Mode..................................82
8.3 Using the keyboard for the FFT Narrow Band Frequency Analyser Mode...................82
8.4 Using the SC260.........................................................................................................83
8.4.1 Switch on the SC260........................................................................................83
8.4.2 Access to the 1/3 extended Spectrum Analyser ................................................83
8.4.3 Accessing the FFT Narrow Band Frequency Analyser ......................................83
8.4.4 Turning off the SC260.......................................................................................83
8.4.5 SC260 menu.....................................................................................................83
8.5 Measuring in 1/3 extended Spectrum Analyser mode..................................................84
8.5.1 Prior adjustments: Integration time...................................................................84
8.5.2 Beginning measurement ...................................................................................84
8.5.3 Function display................................................................................................85

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8.5.4 Interrupting the measurement ...........................................................................87
8.5.5 Consulting measured data ................................................................................87
8.5.6 Overload indicator.............................................................................................88
8.6 Measuring in FFT Narrow Band frequency Analyser Mode..........................................88
8.6.1 Prior adjustments: Integration time...................................................................88
8.6.2 Beginning a measurement ................................................................................89
8.6.3 Function display................................................................................................89
8.6.4 Interrupting the measurement ...........................................................................91
8.6.5 Consulting the data measured...........................................................................91
8.6.6 Overload indicator.............................................................................................91
8.7 Data registering...........................................................................................................91
8.7.1 Saving results ...................................................................................................92
8.7.2 Making a recording............................................................................................92
8.7.3 Time synchronisation........................................................................................93
8.7.4 Kinds of recording.............................................................................................93
8.8 Circular memory..........................................................................................................95
8.9 Viewing the register.....................................................................................................95
8.10 Technical specifications.............................................................................................95
8.10.1 One-third octave band filters.............................................................................95
8.10.2 Standards .........................................................................................................96
8.11 Function summary table............................................................................................96
8.11.1 1/3 Extended Spectrum analyser mode functions .............................................96
8.12 FFT narrow band frequency analyser........................................................................97
9. APENDIX D: Dosimeter Module for the assessment of noise in the workplace.........98
9.1 Dosimeter module activation .......................................................................................99
9.2 Using the keyboard for the dosimeter mode................................................................99
9.3 Using the SC260.........................................................................................................99
9.3.1 Switching on the SC260....................................................................................99
9.3.2 Accessing the Dosimeter mode.......................................................................100
9.3.3 Turning off the SC260.....................................................................................100
9.3.4 SC260 Menu...................................................................................................100
9.4 Measuring in dosimeter mode...................................................................................100
9.4.1 Prior adjustments............................................................................................100
9.4.2 Beginning a measurement ..............................................................................101
9.4.3 Function display..............................................................................................102
9.4.4 Interrupting the measurement .........................................................................104
9.4.5 Consulting measured data ..............................................................................104
9.4.6 Overload indicator...........................................................................................104
9.5 Data registering.........................................................................................................104
9.5.1 Saving final results..........................................................................................104
9.5.2 Making a recording..........................................................................................105
9.5.3 Time synchronisation......................................................................................105
9.5.4 Kinds of recording...........................................................................................106
9.6 Circular memory........................................................................................................107
9.7 Viewing the register...................................................................................................107
9.8 Technical specifications.............................................................................................108
9.8.1 Standards .......................................................................................................108
9.9 Functions definitions..................................................................................................108
9.9.1 Daily noise exposure level...............................................................................108
9.9.2 Sound exposure..............................................................................................108
9.9.3 Dose ...............................................................................................................108

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User’s Manual
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1. GENERAL FEATURES
The SC260 is a powerful, user-friendly instrument for acoustic measurements. It can work as
a class-2 integrating-averaging sound level meter that complies with international standard
IEC 61672 and its EU counterpart EN 61672. It also complies with international standards
IEC 60651 and IEC 60804 and their EU counterparts EN 60651 and EN 60804. The SC260
also complies with the American standards ANSI S1.4 and ANSI S1.43.
The SC260 is also a spectrum analyser measuring in real time and in one third octave bands
and octave bands*, with class 2 filters, which comply with IEC 61260 and EN61260. It also
complies with ANSI S1.11.
*ATTENTION:The Spectrum Analyser mode in one third octave bands and octave bands is
optional. Reference number SC260sb does not have this option. If you wish to incorporate it
you should acquire module FB260. Reference number SC260 does incorporate the analyser
mode in one third octave bands and octave bands.
Moreover, the SC260 offers the possibility of being upgraded with various modules to carry
out advanced acoustic measurements.
1.1 Operating modes and functions
The SC260, in its basic version (without modules), has the following operating modes:
Statistical Integrating Sound Level Meter
Octave band real time spectrum analyser
One-third octave band real time spectrum analyser
As Sound Level Meter (S) it measures in the whole dynamic range (single scale) and,
simultaneously, the following functions:
The sound pressure level with ‘S’, ‘F’ and ‘I’ time averaging. And their maximum and
minimum values during the measurement period and each second *
The peak sound pressure level corresponding to the measurement time and each second *
The sound exposure level, also known as SEL.
The equivalent continuous sound pressure level with programmable consecutive
integration time T and its maximum and minimum values, also known as Leq.
The equivalent continuous sound pressure level with integration time one second*
The equivalent continuous sound pressure level during the measurement period.
The equivalent continuous sound pressure level with time averaging ‘I’ and programmable
consecutive integration time T and integration time belonging to the measurement period.
125 ms Functions* (short functions):
oThe sound pressure level with ‘S’, ‘F’ and ‘I’ time weighting, sampled every
125 ms. 8 values per second *
oThe peak sound pressure level corresponding to the latest 125 ms. 8 values
per second *
oThe equivalent continuous sound pressure level with consecutive integration
time of 125 milliseconds (Short Leq). 8 values per second *

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All these functions are measured simultaneously with the following frequency weightings:
Frequency weighting A
Frequency weighting C
Frequency weighting Z (zero): Frequency Weighting equal to 0 dB from 10 Hz to 20 kHz
It also measures the following functions:
The total percentile levels corresponding to 1, 5, 10, 50, 90, 95 and 99 % of the entire
measurement and the partial levels of each T interval of the sound pressure level with time
averaging ‘F’ and frequency weighting A.
The SC260 also displays the following acoustic functions:
The subtraction of the equivalent continuous sound pressure level with time averaging ‘I’
and the equivalent continuous sound pressure level, corresponding to the measurement
time and to the programmable integration time T. These two functions measured with
frequency weighting A, C and Z
The subtraction of the equivalent continuous sound pressure level with frequency
weighting C and the equivalent continuous sound pressure level with frequency weighting
A, corresponding to the measurement time and to a programmable integration time T.
As an octave band spectrum analyser (1/1), it measures simultaneously and in all the
dynamic range (single scale) the following functions:
The equivalent continuous sound pressure level with programmable consecutive
integration time T and without frequency weighting for each octave band centred on
frequencies of 31.5, 63, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000 and 16000 Hz.
The equivalent continuous sound pressure level with programmable consecutive
integration time of 125 ms and without frequency weighting for each octave band centred
on frequencies of 31.5, 63, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000 and 16000 Hz*
The equivalent continuous sound pressure level of the integration time 125 ms and with
frequency weighting A, C and Z*
The maximum of the peak sound pressure level corresponding to the 125 ms integration
interval with frequency weighting A, C and Z.
The equivalent continuous sound pressure level of the T integration interval with frequency
weighting A, C and Z.
The maximum of the peak sound pressure level for the T integration interval with
frequency weighting A, C and Z.
The partial percentile levels corresponding to 1, 5, 10, 50, 90, 95 and 99 % of the
equivalent continuous sound pressure level corresponding to the T integration interval
measured for each octave band.
The overall percentile levels corresponding to 1, 5, 10, 50, 90, 95 and 99 % of the total
equivalent continuous sound pressure level measured with frequency weighting A and
corresponding to the integration time T.

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The SC260 has a background noise evaluation screen where the following acoustic functions
are shown:
The value of the NC (Noise Criterion) curve corresponding to the measured spectrum
The value of the NC curve that has not been exceeded in each octave band
As a one-third octave band spectrum analyser (1/3), it measures simultaneously and in all
the dynamic range (single scale) the following functions:
The equivalent continuous sound pressure level with programmable consecutive
integration time T and without frequency weighting for each one-third octave band centred
on frequencies of 20, 25, 31.5, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 315, 400, 500, 630,
800, 1000, 1250, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3150, 4000, 5000, 6300, 8000 and 10000 Hz
The equivalent continuous sound pressure level with programmable consecutive
integration time of 125 ms and without frequency weighting for each one-third octave band
centred on frequencies of 20, 25, 31.5, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 315, 400,
500, 630, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3150, 4000, 5000, 6300, 8000 and 10000
Hz*
See APPENDIX A: Functions for the names and definitions of each of the functions
measured.
* The functions in italics are measured by the SC260 but are not shown on its screen. The way to get the
results of these functions is to make a real time measurement with the Capture Studio software application or
making a recording and downloading the results to a PC with the help of Capture Studio (see chapter 4).
1.2 Main features of the SC260
The SC260 is a user-friendly sound level meter that allows you to make sound
measurements quickly and conveniently. The SC260 measures simultaneously a wide range
of functions, with which it is possible to calculate the most important acoustic evaluation
indexes of the majority of countries in the world. The SC260 makes a quantitative analysis
(sound level meter parameters, spectral levels) and qualitative (impulsiveness indicators, low
frequency, background noise evaluation in rooms, etc.)
The most important features of the SC260 are the following:
The SC260 has been designed to be user-friendly; a single reading of the manual will
enable you to work intuitively with it.
The SC260 has a single user range; there is therefore no need to adjust the scale prior to
beginning a measurement, whatever the dynamic range of the sound event to be
measured.
Whether you use it as a sound level meter or spectrum analyser, the SC260
simultaneously measures all functions with all the available frequency weightings (A, C
and Z).
The SC260 microphone is detachable. You can unscrew it and move it away from the
SC260 by using the extension cable (CNRITV). The measurement equipment can be
completed with the outdoor kit, model TK1000 or TK200. See 2.1.3.
The SC260 is equipped with CAPTURE STUDIO communications software, allowing you
to configure the instrument and download all the recorded data and real-time

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measurements on to a personal computer. This way they can be viewed in electronic
format, exported to other programmes and its data shown in numeric and graphic format to
generate reports. See 4.4
The SC260 AC output is designed to pick up the direct preamplifier signal. This allows you
to make a calibrated recording on a D.A.T. and subsequently analyse it both quantitatively
(impulse or tonal sound level analysis) and qualitatively (exceptional sound event detection
–shouts, undesirable noises, etc.). The SC260 is equipped with a 40 dB built-in amplifier
to adapt the measurement range to the recording dynamic range. See 4.1.
The SC260’s graphic screen displays the measured functions in both graphic and numeric
formats. The graphic display is highly practical when it comes to studying a sound event,
evaluating its time history or analysing its spectral contents. The SC260’s screen lights up
at the push of a button, allowing you to work in dim conditions or in the dark.
The SC260’s membrane keyboard is absolutely flat. This way its excellent sound response
is never impaired.
The SC260 has an internal memory for storing the data measured. The storage of this data
in the memory can be set, allowing the form of data recording to be adapted to the kind of
measurement being conducted. See chapter 3.
The SC260 allows data stored in its memory to be downloaded simultaneously with the
process of measuring and recording. This feature together with the option to set the free
space of memory as a circular memory identifies the SC260 as the perfect platform for
permanent acoustic monitoring. See 3.3.4.
The SC260 has multiple language support and once a language is selected, it will remain
selected even if the unit is turned OFF (see paragraph 2.7.5)
The SC260 stores in its memory the time and date of the last time the sensitivity was
modified. (See 2.2.3)
The SC260 has two communication ports: RS-232 and USB. The USB port allows data to
be downloaded at high speed and the RS-232 offers compatibility with all computers and
enables communication ports to be generated through modem (telephone, mobile) or
Wireless. See 4.2.
The RS-232 communication port can be configured to connect a serial printer. For the
octave band spectrum analyzer and sound level meter modes, the SC260 will make a
continuous printing of the measured functions.
SC260 and CAPTURE STUDIO are compatible with Wireless technology. This wireless
technology makes the connection to CAPTURE STUDIO possible, within a radius of 100m,
of several SC260 sound level meters simultaneously. In this way, several sound level
meters can be converted in a high-performance multi-channel system.