CESVA SC310 User manual

SC310
Sound Level Meter
Spectrum Analyser
User’s Manual
M
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SC310
_
v0033
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20070502
_
ENG

NOTE: This version of the manual is valid for
instruments with serial number from T224599

SC310
User’s Manual
1
ENGLISH
CONTENTS
1. GENERAL FEATURES .......................................................................................................7
1.1 Workings modes and functions.......................................................................................7
1.2 Main features of the SC310 ..........................................................................................10
1.3 Description of the SC310 ..............................................................................................12
1.4 Screen...........................................................................................................................14
1.5 Using the keyboard .......................................................................................................14
2. USING THE SC310............................................................................................................17
2.1 First steps .....................................................................................................................17
2.1.1 Material and literature.........................................................................................17
2.1.2 SC310 power supply...........................................................................................17
2.1.3 Connecting and disconnecting the preamplifier, using the extension cable, the
windscreen and the outdoor kit........................................................................................18
2.2 Beginning a measurement ............................................................................................20
2.2.1 Starting the SC310 .............................................................................................20
2.2.2 Selecting the measurement mode......................................................................20
2.2.3 Checking the SC310...........................................................................................23
2.3 Measuring in sound level meter mode ..........................................................................24
2.3.1 Prior adjustments: Preferential screen and integration time...............................25
2.3.2 Beginning a measurement..................................................................................26
2.3.3 Functions display................................................................................................26
2.3.4 Interrupting measurement...................................................................................29
2.3.5 Consulting measured data..................................................................................30
2.4 Measuring in spectrum analyser mode 1/1 ...................................................................30
2.4.1 Prior adjustments: integration time .....................................................................30
2.4.2 Beginning measurement.....................................................................................31
2.4.3 Functions display................................................................................................31
2.4.4 Stopping measurement.......................................................................................34
2.4.5 Consulting the measured data............................................................................35
2.5 Measuring in spectrum analyser 1/3 mode ...................................................................35
2.5.1 Prior adjustments: Integration time....................................................................35
2.5.2 Beginning measurement.....................................................................................36
2.5.3 Functions display................................................................................................36
2.5.4 Interrupting measurement...................................................................................37
2.5.5 Consulting measured data..................................................................................38
2.6 Overload indicator.........................................................................................................38
2.7 SC310 menu: Register and setting management .........................................................38
2.7.1 Access to the menu ............................................................................................38
2.7.2 The SC310 menu................................................................................................39
2.7.3 Register management ........................................................................................39
2.7.4 Printing................................................................................................................39
2.7.5 Settings...............................................................................................................40
2.8 Turning the SC310 off...................................................................................................42
2.9 Warnings and precautions ............................................................................................42
2.10 Advice for carrying out measurements........................................................................43

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3. DATA REGISTERING........................................................................................................45
3.1 Saving results ...............................................................................................................45
3.2 Carrying out a recording ...............................................................................................46
3.2.1 Time synchronisation..........................................................................................46
3.3 Kinds of recording .........................................................................................................47
3.3.1 Recording in sound meter mode.........................................................................47
3.3.2 Recording in spectrum analyser 1/1 mode .........................................................48
3.3.3 Recording in spectrum analyser 1/3 mode .........................................................49
3.3.4 Circular memory .................................................................................................51
3.4 Viewing the register ......................................................................................................51
3.5 Erasing the memory......................................................................................................51
4. DATA TRANSFER AND PRINT-OUT ...............................................................................52
4.1 AC output: recording of calibrated measurements........................................................52
4.2 RS-232 communications port........................................................................................53
4.3 USB communications port.............................................................................................54
4.4 Data transfer to a PC: communication software............................................................54
5. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................................56
5.1 Measurement range......................................................................................................56
5.2 Detector - Functions LF, LSand LI.................................................................................58
5.3 Peak detector - Lpeak function.........................................................................................58
5.4 Integrator - LT, Ltand LEfunctions.................................................................................58
5.5 Display update rates .....................................................................................................59
5.6 Frequency weighting.....................................................................................................59
5.7 AC output ......................................................................................................................60
5.8 Octave band filters ........................................................................................................60
5.9 Measurement range (octave band spectrum analyser).................................................61
5.10 Third octave band filters..............................................................................................61
5.11 Measurement range (one third octave spectrum analyser).........................................62
5.12 Microphone .................................................................................................................62
5.13 Diffuse field sensitivity (S)...........................................................................................64
5.14 Directivity ....................................................................................................................65
5.15 Effect of the accessories on the microphone ..............................................................66
5.16 Reference conditions ..................................................................................................68
5.17 Warm-up time .............................................................................................................68
5.18 Temperature influence ................................................................................................68
5.19 Humidity influence.......................................................................................................68
5.20 Electromagnetic compatibility......................................................................................68
5.21 Vibration influence ......................................................................................................69
5.22 Batteries & External supply.........................................................................................69
5.23 Dimensions and weight...............................................................................................69
5.24 Preamplifier connector ................................................................................................70
5.25 Memory .......................................................................................................................70
5.26 Calibration...................................................................................................................70
5.27 Standards....................................................................................................................70
5.28 Notes...........................................................................................................................71
5.29 Accessories.................................................................................................................71
6. APPENDIX A: Functions ..................................................................................................72
6.1 Function summary table................................................................................................72
6.1.1 Sound level meter mode functions .....................................................................72
6.1.2 1/1 Spectrum analyser mode functions ..............................................................73
6.1.3 1/3 Spectrum analyser mode functions ..............................................................73

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6.2 Definition of functions....................................................................................................74
6.2.1 Sound pressure level with fast and slow time weightings...................................74
6.2.2 Sound pressure level with ‘I’ time weighting.......................................................74
6.2.3 Sound pressure peak level .................................................................................75
6.2.4 Equivalent continuous sound pressure level ......................................................75
6.2.5 Sound exposure level (SEL)...............................................................................75
6.2.6 Percentile levels..................................................................................................76
7. APPENDIX B: Reverberation Time Module ....................................................................77
7.1 Activation of the Reverberation Time Module ...............................................................77
7.2 Using the keyboard .......................................................................................................78
7.3 Using the SC310...........................................................................................................78
7.3.1 Switch on the SC310 ..........................................................................................78
7.3.2 Access to the Reverberation Time Mode 1/1.....................................................78
7.3.3 Access to the Reverberation Time Mode 1/3.....................................................78
7.3.4 End the SC310 ...................................................................................................79
7.3.5 SC310 menu.......................................................................................................79
7.4 Measuring the Reverberation Time by octave bands....................................................79
7.4.1 Measuring the Reverberation Time ....................................................................79
7.4.2 Beginning a measurement..................................................................................79
7.4.3 Stopping the measurement.................................................................................81
7.4.4 Overload indicator...............................................................................................81
7.4.5 Indicator (---).......................................................................................................82
7.5 Measuring the Reverberation Time by one third octave bands.....................................82
7.5.1 Measuring the Reverberation Time ....................................................................82
7.5.2 Visualizing the third octave bands ......................................................................82
7.5.3 Beginning a measurement..................................................................................83
7.5.4 Stopping the measurement.................................................................................84
7.5.5 Overload indicator) .............................................................................................85
7.5.6 Indicator (---).......................................................................................................85
7.6 Data register .................................................................................................................85
7.6.1 Saving results .....................................................................................................85
7.6.2 View register.......................................................................................................86
7.7 Technical Specifications................................................................................................87
7.7.1 Measurement Range ..........................................................................................87
7.7.2 Estimation of the slope of the decay curve.........................................................89
7.7.3 Standards of measurement and calculation .......................................................89
7.8 Function summary table................................................................................................90
7.8.1 Reverberation time mode functions....................................................................90
7.9 Definition of functions....................................................................................................90
7.9.1 Decay curve........................................................................................................90
7.9.2 Reverberation Time ............................................................................................90
8. APPENDIX C: Extended frequency module ...................................................................92
8.1 Activation of the Extended frequency analysis module.................................................92
8.2 Using the keyboard for 1/3 Extended Spectrum Analyser Mode ..................................93
8.3 Using the keyboard for the FFT Narrow Band Frequency Analyser Mode ...................93
8.4 Using the SC310...........................................................................................................94
8.4.1 Switch on the SC310 .........................................................................................94
8.4.2 Access to the 1/3 extended Spectrum Analyser.................................................94
8.4.3 Access to the FFT Narrow Band Frequency Analyser........................................94
8.4.4 End the SC310 ...................................................................................................94
8.4.5 SC310 menu.......................................................................................................94
8.5 Measuring in 1/3 extended Spectrum Analyser mode ..................................................95
8.5.1 Prior adjustments: Integration time....................................................................95

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8.5.2 Beginning measurement.....................................................................................95
8.5.3 Functions display................................................................................................96
8.5.4 Interrupting the measurement.............................................................................98
8.5.5 Consulting measured data..................................................................................98
8.5.6 Overload indicator...............................................................................................99
8.6 Measuring in FFT Narrow Band frequency Analyser Mode ..........................................99
8.6.1 Prior adjustments: Integration time....................................................................99
8.6.2 Beginning measurement...................................................................................100
8.6.3 Functions display..............................................................................................100
8.6.4 Interrupting the measurement...........................................................................102
8.6.5 Consulting measured data................................................................................102
8.6.6 Overload indicator.............................................................................................102
8.7 Data registering...........................................................................................................102
8.7.1 Saving results ...................................................................................................103
8.7.2 Carrying out a recording ...................................................................................103
8.7.3 Time synchronisation........................................................................................104
8.7.4 Kinds of recording.............................................................................................104
8.8 Circular memory..........................................................................................................106
8.9 Viewing the register ....................................................................................................106
8.10 Technical specifications ............................................................................................107
8.10.1 Third octave band filters ...................................................................................107
8.10.2 Measurement range (one third octave spectrum analyser) ..............................108
8.10.3 Standards .........................................................................................................108
8.11 Function summary table............................................................................................109
8.11.1 1/3 Extended Spectrum analyser mode functions ............................................109
8.12 FFT narrow band frequency analyser .......................................................................110
9. APENDIX D: Dosimeter Module for the assessment of noise at workplace .............111
9.1 Dosimeter module activation.......................................................................................111
9.2 Using the keyboard for the dosimeter mode ...............................................................112
9.3 Using the SC310.........................................................................................................112
9.3.1 Switch on the SC310 ........................................................................................112
9.3.2 Accessing to the Dosimeter mode....................................................................113
9.3.3 Turn off the SC310 ...........................................................................................113
9.3.4 SC310 Menu.....................................................................................................113
9.4 Measuring in dosimeter mode.....................................................................................113
9.4.1 Prior adjustments..............................................................................................113
9.4.2 Beginning measurement...................................................................................114
9.4.3 Function display................................................................................................115
9.4.4 Interrupting the measurement...........................................................................117
9.4.5 Consulting measured data................................................................................117
9.4.6 Overload indicator.............................................................................................117
9.5 Data registering...........................................................................................................117
9.5.1 Saving final results............................................................................................117
9.5.2 Making a recording ...........................................................................................118
9.5.3 Time synchronisation........................................................................................118
9.5.4 Kinds of recording.............................................................................................119
9.6 Circular memory..........................................................................................................120
9.7 View the register .........................................................................................................120
9.8 Technical specifications. .............................................................................................121
9.8.1 Standards .........................................................................................................121
9.9 Functions definitions ...................................................................................................121
9.9.1 Daily noise exposure level................................................................................121
9.9.2 Sound exposure................................................................................................121
9.9.3 Dose .................................................................................................................121

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10. APENDIX E: Module for vibration measurements.....................................................122
10.1 Vibration measurement kit ........................................................................................122
10.1.1 Reception of the vibration measurement kit .....................................................122
10.1.2 Vibration measurement module activation........................................................123
10.1.3 PA001 Preamplifier and the Accelerometer connection ...................................123
10.1.4 If you want to connect a different accelerometer..............................................124
10.1.5 Extension Cables..............................................................................................124
10.2 Using the keyboard for the vibration mode ...............................................................125
10.3 Using the keyboard for the FFT narrow band frequency analysis.............................125
10.4 Using the SC310.......................................................................................................126
10.4.1 Starting the SC310 ...........................................................................................126
10.4.2 Accessing to the Vibration mode ......................................................................126
10.4.3 Accessing to the FFT narrow band frequency analysis mode..........................126
10.4.4 Turn off the SC310 ...........................................................................................126
10.4.5 SC310 Menu.....................................................................................................126
10.5 Measuring in Vibration mode ....................................................................................127
10.5.1 Prior adjustments: Sensitivity............................................................................127
10.5.2 Prior adjustments: Evaluation time ...................................................................128
10.5.3 Beginning measurement...................................................................................129
10.5.4 Function display................................................................................................129
10.5.5 Interrupting the measurement...........................................................................132
10.5.6 Consulting measured data................................................................................132
10.5.7 Overload indicator.............................................................................................132
10.6 Measuring FFT Narrow Band Frequency Analysis ...................................................132
10.6.1 Prior adjustments: Sensitivity............................................................................133
10.6.2 Prior adjustments: Evaluation time ...................................................................134
10.6.3 Beginning the measurement.............................................................................135
10.6.4 Function display................................................................................................135
10.6.5 Interrupting the measurement...........................................................................137
10.6.6 Consulting measured data................................................................................137
10.6.7 Overload indicator.............................................................................................138
10.7 Data registering.........................................................................................................138
10.7.1 Saving final results............................................................................................138
10.7.2 Making a recording ...........................................................................................139
10.7.3 Time synchronisation........................................................................................139
10.7.4 Kinds of recording.............................................................................................139
10.8 Circular memory........................................................................................................141
10.9 View the register .......................................................................................................142
10.10 Technical specifications ..........................................................................................143
10.10.1 One third octave band filters.............................................................................143
10.10.2 Frequency weighting.........................................................................................143
10.10.3 Standards .........................................................................................................144
10.11 Function summary table..........................................................................................145
10.11.1 Vibration mode functions ..................................................................................145
10.12 Function definitions .................................................................................................146
10.12.1 Average acceleration with frequency weighting Wmand evaluation time T......146
10.12.2 Acceleration level..............................................................................................146
10.12.3 Peak acceleration .............................................................................................146
10.12.4 Crest factor .......................................................................................................146
10.12.5 Maximum Transient Vibration Value.................................................................146
10.12.6 Vibration Dose Value........................................................................................147
10.12.7 Multiplying factor K ..........................................................................................147
10.12.8 Narrow band frequency analysis for vibration...................................................148

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SC310
User’s Manual
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1. GENERAL FEATURES
The SC310 is a powerful, user-friendly instrument for acoustic measurements. It can work as
a type-1 integrating-averaging sound level meter that complies with IEC 61672 international
standard and its EU counterpart EN 61672 also complies with IEC 60651 and IEC 60804
international standards and their EU counterparts EN 60651 and EN 60804. The SC310 also
complies with the American standards ANSI S1.4 and ANSI S1.43.
The SC310 is also a spectrum analyser measuring in real time and in one third octave bands
and octave bands, with type 1 filters, which comply with IEC 61260 and EN61260. They also
comply with ANSI S1.11.
Moreover, the SC310 offers the possibility to be upgraded with different modulus to carry out
advanced acoustic measurements.
1.1 Workings modes and functions
The SC310, in its basic version (without modulus), has the following modes of working:
•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*
All these functions are measured simultaneously with the following frequency weightings:
•Frequency Weighting A
•Frequency Weighting C

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•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 SC310 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 integration time T
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.
The SC310 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: