Chauvin Arnoux CA834 User manual

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FRANÇAIS
ENGLISH
DEUTSCH
ITALIANO
ESPAÑOL
Notice d’utilisation
User’s manual
Bedienungsanleitung
Libreto d’Istruzioni
Manual de Instrucciones
CA834
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■Sonomètre
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■Sound level meter
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■Schallpegelmesser
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■Analizzatore di rumori
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■Sonómetro

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You have just purchased a C.A 834 sound level meter and we would like to thank you for your
trust.
To obtain the best possible service from your instrument :
- read this User’s manual carefully,
- comply with the precautions for use.
GUARANTEE
Our guarantee is applicable, unless otherwise stated, for twelve months following the date
of supply of the equipment (extract from our General Sales Conditions, available on request).
CONTENTS
1. PRESENTATION.....................................................................................................................13
2. PRECAUTIONS FOR USE......................................................................................13
3. DESCRIPTION OFTHEINSTRUMENT.....................................................................................14
4. OPERATIONOFTHEINSTRUMENT.......................................................................................16
5. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS........................................................................................18
6. MAINTENANCE.....................................................................................................................19
7. TO ORDER...........................................................................................................20
8. SOFTWARE S-834...............................................................................................................21

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1. PRESENTATION
The C.A 834 sonometer-recorder is designed to evaluate sound nuisances according to
safety requirements and current legislation.
It conforms to standards IEC651 type 2 and ANSI S1.4 type 2 for sonometers.
It is capable of a multitude of professional and domestic applications : the measurement of
sound levels in factories, schools, offices, airports, studios, auditoriums, etc...
The C.A 834 is a compact portable unit suitable for holding in one hand and for mounting on
a tripod such as those used by photographers, for long term measurements.
It is capable of measuring sound levels from 30-130dB and recording them (memory capacity
of 32000 values). It has an RS232 interface for two-way communication with a PC.
It comes with two frequency weighting A and C, allowing for the sensitivity of the human ear
asa function of the sound frequency.FrequencyweightingA is generally used in theindustrial
environment and C is better suited to audio frequency sound.
2. PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
2.1 Precaution for use of the sensor
Please read these instructions carefully before using the equipment.
- The sonometer is a measurement instrument whitch must be protected
from severe shock and vibration.
- In particular, protect the microphone from exposure to water and dust and
do not store it in damp and/or excessively hot places
- It is not advisable to clean the microphone.
2.2 Remark concerning measurement conditions.
1. If the difference in levels between the presence and absence of sound to be measured is
10dB or more, the influence of the background noise on the measurement can be considered
as negligible.
If the difference is smaller than this level, compensation corrections (see the table below)
will need to be applied to the measurement made to allow for the background noise :
Level difference 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(dB)
Compensation -2.2 -1.7 -1.3 -1 -0.8 -0.7 0
value (dB)

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2. Keep the microphone well away from any sound-reflecting surface like walls or floors, to
minimise any errors due to possible spurious reflexions.
When measuring, hold the sonometer at arm’s length to avoid reflexion off your own body
and to allow the sound to propagate freely in every direction.
3.Take all necessary steps so that there are no obstacles between the point of measurement
and the source of the noise.
4. Do not take into consideration excessively low measurement levels (insignificant sound)
or, to the contrary, excessively high measurement levels (overload).
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE INSTRUMENT
1. Wind-guard. Use this accessory when you need to make measurements at wind speeds
in excess of 10m/s.

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2. LCD 4-digits display :
MAX Holding of maximum value
MIN Holding of minimum value
OVER Indicates that the selected measurement range is inappropriate. Use the
LEVEL button to select the suitable measurement range.
UNDER Indicates that the selected measurement range is inappropriate. Use the
LEVEL button to selected the suitable measurement range.
FAST Fast response time.
SLOW Slow response time.
dBA A type frequency weighting.
dBC C type frequency weighting.
88-180 Indication of selected measuremnt range.
Battery low
-L.O.- Measurement below 30dB
AUTO Auto-range selected
REC Data recording in progress
FULL Memory full
Auto-power OFF activated
3. ON/OFF button and backlighting
Press the button to turn on the sonometer.
Press the button again to turn the backlighting ON/OFF.
Hold the button down for 3 seconds to turn off the sonometer.
Note :LWhen you turn on the sonometer, the screen displays how much memory space is still
available (32000 maximum).
4. MAX / MIN mode activation / deactivation push button.
5. Recording mode activation / deactivation push button.
6. Frequency weighting selection push button.
7. Response time selection push button.
8. Measurement range selection push button.
9. Sonometer measurement head including the microphone.
10.Adjusting screw to modify the calibration of the sonometer.
11.RS232 interface for extracting data and controlling the sonometer via a PC.
12.Analogue output for recording on an external system using a jack connector.
13.9V DC mains power supply input.
14.Threaded hole for mounting on a tripod.
15.Battery cover.

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4. OPERATION OF THE INSTRUMENT
4.1 Choice of measurement range
The sonometer has 3 set measurement ranges (30-80dB, 50-100dB, 80-130dB) and one
automatic measurement range (30-130dB).
To choose your measurement range, use the “LEVEL” push button.
If the “UNDER” or “OVER” symbols appear permanently on the sreen, it indicates that you
are using a measurement range that is too low or to high. In this case, press the “LEVEL”
push button.
Note:Theautomatic 30-130dB measurement range isa way of avoidingof these microphone
under / overload problems.
4.2 Choice of frequency weighting
Because the ear does not have the same aural sensitivity for all frequencies, filters are
used to weight or correct the measured levels according to the frequency.
There are two correction curves, A and C, provided on the C.A 834.To change from one to
the other, press the “A/C” push button.
The best-known curve is the A frequency weighting corresponding to the “average
international ear”.
Generally, it is used for measuring nuisance levels in industrial premises.
The C curve is better suited to check for the presence of audio frequency noise (if the level
measured in position C is higher than in position A, it means that the signal includes
significant audio frequency components).This curve is also suitable for measuring musical
environments.
4.3 Choice of response time
Depending on the type of noise concerned (brief noise such as a car horn or an animal’s
cry, or a drawn out noise like that of an industrial machine), it is necessary to choose a
suitable response time.
Two response times are available on C.A 834 :
- FAST (short response time) if the noise consists of brief impulses or if you are
only concerned with peak values.This is the mode most often used.
- SLOW (long response time) to measure the average sound level.
Changing from one to another is obtained by pressing the “FAST / SLOW” push button.
4.4 Practical measurement conditions
Hold the instrument in your hand and point the microphone toward the noise source to be
measured (see Precautions for use), the sound level will be displayed.

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4.5 MAX / MIN Mode
Press the MAX/MIN push button to actvate the MAX/MIN mode.This is a way of recording
the maximum and minimum levels reached during a measurement campaign.
To display the maximum level, press once (MAX indicated on the screen) and to display
the minimum level, press the push button again (MIN indicated on the screen). Pressing
the push button a third time will enable you to display the current measurement campaign
value (MAX-MIN will flash on the screen).
To exit from the MAX/MIN mode, hold the push button down for 2 seconds.
Note : if you change the measurement range or the weighting curve after entering this
mode, it will be deactivated.
4.6 Recording mode
The recording mode is a way of storing up to 32000 time-dated values at a programmed rate
in order to carry out monitoring, then analyse this data on the PC.
a) Formating the Date andTime
Hold down the «A/C» and «ON/OFF» push buttons.
«SET» is displayed.
Then press the «MAX/MIN» push button.
Set of the various time and date parameters using
the «REC/▲» and «LEVEL/▼» keys.
To change to the next parameter, press «MAX/MIN».
The order of adjustment is : year àmonth àday àhour àminute.
Note : If you want to exit from the adjustment mode during this process,
press the «ON/OFF» key.
b) Adjustment of the acquisition rate
Hold down the «A/C» and «ON/OFF» push buttons.
«SET» is displayed.
Press «FAST/SLOW» push button.
Set the acquisition rate using the «REC/▲» and «LEVEL»/▼»
keys then press on «FAST/SLOW» again to exit.
c) Data recording
To begin data recording, press the «REC» key.
To stop recording, press the «REC» key again.
d) Clear the memory
Each time you switch on the sonometer, the available memory
space is displayed (03 20 00 when the memory is empty).
If you wish to empty the memory :
- Switch off your sonometer.
- Hold the «ON/OFF» and «REC» push buttons pressed
for 5 secondes.The following screen will appear and
the memory will be erased after 5 secondes.

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4.7 Activation / deactivation of the automatic shut off
By default, the automatic shut off mode is activated when you switch on your unit. The
instrument will switch off automatically after 30 minutes if none of the buttons is pressed, no
recordings are being made or if none of the RS232 links is activated.
If you wish to deactivate automatic shut off:
- Turn off the sonometer.
- Hold the “ON/OFF” and “FAST/SLOW” push buttons pressed.
4.8 Calibration of the sonometer
Ifyou have not made any measurementsforsome time, it is advisable tocheck the calibration
of your sonometer. To do this, use the CA 833 sonometer calibrating instrument.
The procedure is as follows:
- Turn on the sonometer
- Set it to the high measurement range: 80 – 130 dB
- Select the weighting curve A
- Select the fast response time «FAST»
- Insert the microphone as deep as possible into the calibrating instrument
- Place in the assembly on a flat surface that is free of vibration.
- Switch on CA 833 set to the 94 dB position
- Set the sonometer display to 94 dB using the screw Š and the screwdriver supplied
with the instrument.
- After adjustment, check your calibration with CA 833 set to 114 dB.
5. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Compliance with standards : IEC 651 type 2
ANSI S1.4
JIS C 1502
- Type of microphone : condenser microphone
- Measuring range : 4 measuring ranges from 30 to 130dB
30-80dB
50-100dB
80-130dB
30-130dB (automatic change of range)
- Display : LCD screen
Digital : 4 digits
Resolution : 0.1dB
Display update : 0.5s
Analogue : 50 segment bargraph
Resolution : 1dB
Display update : 50ms

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- Accuracy : ± 1.5dB
- Frequency dynamics : 31.5Hz to 8kHz
- Frequency weighting : A and C (as per IEC 651)
- Time weighting : FAST :125ms
SLOW:1s
- RS232 input / output signal : 9600 bauds / no parity / 8 bits / 1 stop bit
- Analogue output : AC output : 1VRMS at full-scale
Impedance : 200Ω
Sortie DC : 10mV/dB
Impédance : 1kΩ
- Climatic environment :
Use : Temperature : 0 to 40°C
Humidity : 10 to 90% HR
Storage : Temperature : -10 to 60°C
Humidity : 10 to 75% HR
- Power supply :
Battery: 9V battery (6LR61 or 6LF22 type)
self-sufficiency : 50hrs
Mains power supply : Voltage : 9VDC (8-15VDC max.)
Current : > 30mADC
Outside diameter : 3.5mm
Inside diameter : 1.35mm
- Dimension / Weight : 275 x 64 x 30 / 285g (batterie included)
- Electromagnetic compatibility : Emission as per EN 50081-1Ed. 1992
Immunity as per EN 50082-1 Ed. 1992
6. MAINTENANCE
Only use specified spare parts for maintenance purposes. The manufacturer cannot accept
any responsibility for accidents occurring following repairs carried out outside its after-sales
department or approved maintenance network.
6.1 Servicing
To replace the battery :
- Turn off the sonometer
- Remove the cover “15” at the back of the instrument
- Replace the old battery with a 9V battery (6LR61 or 6LF22 type)

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6.2 Cleaning the casing
Clean the casing with a cloth and a little soapy water.
Clean off with a damp cloth.
Do not use any solvents.
6.3 Metrological verification
It is essential that all measuring instruments are regularly calibrated.
For checking and calibration of your instrument, please contact our accredited laboratories
(list on request) or the Chauvin-Arnoux subsidiary or Agent in your country.
6.4 Repair
- Repairs under guarantee and outside guarantee.
Please return the product to your distributor.
7. TO ORDER
C.A834..................................................................................................................................P01.1855.02
Supplied with a transport case, a “wind-guard” bonnet, an RS232 cord and the software
S-834, a screwdriver, a 3.5mm diameter male jack, a 9V battery and these operating
instructions.
Replacement :
Pile9V.....................................................................................................................................P01.1007.32
Accessoire :
C.A833 sonometercalibratinginstrument................................................................P01.1853.01

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8. SOFTWARE S-834
8.1 Recommended configuration
- 90 MHz processor or higher
- 32 MB of RAM
- At least 5 MB on the hard disk for the installation of the software
- Operating system: Windows 95 / 98 / NT 4.0 or higher
- Recommended screen resolution: 800 x 600
8.2 Installating the software
1. Close all the applications before installation
2. Insert the CD in the drive
3. If installation does not launch automatically, select the «Execute» command from
the «Start-up» menu.
4. Choose the CD drive and open the «setup.exe» file.