Norsonic NOR150 User manual

nor150
SOUND & VIBRATION ANALYSER
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
INSTRUMENT SOFWARE 3.0
Norsonic has always been at the
forefront introducing new technology
to sound level meters. The Nor150
Sound and Vibration Analyser sets
a new standard in user-friendliness.
Featuring the largest colour touch
screen in a handheld meter on the
market today, the Nor150 provides
the user-friendliness of a smart phone.
Further features include built in web
server, camera, GPS, sound recording,
voice and text notes, sophisticated
marker handling and event triggers in
addition to high resolution time profile
and multi-frequency spectra bringing
the sophistications normally found in
laboratory instrumentation out in the
field. The instrument is designed to
cover a variety of applications besides
being a sophisticated sound level
meter. This instruction manual covers
software version 3.0, noise monitoring,
building acoustics and sound intensity
market.

Nor150 User Guide – June 2020 Edition
Im150_1Ed5R0En
Norsonic is a registered trademark of Norsonic AS. All
other brand or product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies. Every effort has
been made to supply complete and accurate information.
However, Norsonic AS assumes no responsibility for the use
of – nor for the consequential damages of the use of – this
information and/or the instrumentation described herein.
Furthermore Norsonic AS assumes no responsibility for
any infringement of the intellectual property rights of third
parties, wherever applicable, which would result from such
use. Norsonic AS reserves the right to amend any of the
information given in this manual in order to take account of
new developments.
If you wish to communicate with us, please feel welcome.
Norsonic AS, Gunnersbråtan 2, N-3409 Tranby, Norway
[phone] | [email protected] | www.norsonic.com
Copyright © Norsonic AS 2020 All rights reserved

Finding the information you need
NOTE that the instruction manual describes a fully
equipped instrument. Your version of the instrument
may not have all the optional extensions available.
Software extensions may, however, be installed as
retrofit at any time, However, extensions like the
dual channel option, camera and GPS cannot be
installed as retrofit.
Denotes
Some denotes are used in the manual to ease the use
and distinguish a keyboard key, a soft key or a menu.
VIEW denotes the View button found on the rubber
keyboard.
Stop denotes a soft key mostly found in the lower line
of the display.
Instrument denotes a menu point.
Thank you for choosing Norsonic!
The Nor150 has been designed to give you many years
of safe, reliable operation.
Your approach to the Nor150 documentation depends
on what you want to do and how much you already know.
This manual is divided into several sections plus an index.
Each section provides useful and in depth information
about the available features. Depending on your
requirements and your familiarity with measurements
as such, you may find that you use some parts of this
manual quite often and others not at all.
A brief introduction of the user philosophy and use of the
instrument is described in chapter 2. We recommend
reading this chapter before use, and as a minimum,
reading the safety instructions and precautions in
chapter 1.
If you do not have this manual at hand, useful help is
found in context sensitive help function in the instrument.
In most pictures there is a red question mark “?“ in the
upper right corner of the display. Tap it to access the
help function.

i
Norsonic Nor150
Instruction Manual
Contents
Chapter 1 Important information.....................................................................................................1
Safety instructions .............................................................................................................................. 1
Precautions......................................................................................................................................... 2
Chapter 2 Taking a closer look at the instrument..........................................................................3
Switching ON/OFF ............................................................................................................................. 4
Keyboard ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Touch sensitive screen....................................................................................................................... 5
The Main Status LED.......................................................................................................................... 7
Input and output connectors.............................................................................................................. 8
On the use of the internal battery vs. external DC ............................................................................. 9
Charging the Internal Battery ............................................................................................................. 9
If power fails ......................................................................................................................................10
Power saving - maximize your battery power ...................................................................................10
Optional extensions...........................................................................................................................11
Software maintenance.......................................................................................................................11
Chapter 3 Your first measurement ................................................................................................12
Turn on the Nor150 ............................................................................................................................12
Select the transducer ........................................................................................................................12
Check the calibration.........................................................................................................................12
Select a standard set up ...................................................................................................................12
Start and Stop of the measurement ..................................................................................................12
Saving the measurement to the memory ..........................................................................................13
Reducing the influence of the operator.............................................................................................13
Removing the influence of the instrument itself ................................................................................13
Limiting the influence of wind and dust ............................................................................................13

ii Contents
Chapter 4 The measurement functions available........................................................................14
Chapter 5 Setting up the analyser.................................................................................................19
The organisation of the display .........................................................................................................19
The status bar ............................................................................................................................ 20
Symbol # 1 Battery gauge / external power .............................................................................. 20
Symbol # 2; Overload indication.................................................................................................21
Symbol # 3, Measurement status ...............................................................................................21
Symbol # 4, Application mode....................................................................................................21
The soft key bar...........................................................................................................................21
The measurement picture .......................................................................................................... 22
On-screen menus............................................................................................................................. 23
Activate and deactivate the result displays ................................................................................24
Cursor handling.......................................................................................................................... 25
The main menu system - an overview.............................................................................................. 25
On/Off/Available/Disabled indication........................................................................................ 26
Chapter 6 Selecting the different views and the parameters to display...................................27
Function selection – selecting the measurement parameters ......................................................... 30
SPL Live in ended mode ................................................................................................................. 33
Numerical tables .............................................................................................................................. 33
Chapter 7 Input selection Menu ....................................................................................................34
The Sound channel 1 or 2 menu ...................................................................................................... 35
Line and Vibration sensor .......................................................................................................... 35
Microphones .............................................................................................................................. 35
Outdoor microphones................................................................................................................ 36
The Transducer menu ................................................................................................................ 36
Adding a new sensor ................................................................................................................. 38
Preamplifier selection................................................................................................................. 39
Using other transducers................................................................................................................... 39
Chapter 8 Calibrating the instrument - field check.............................................................................40
When to calibrate ....................................................................................................................... 40
Carrying out the field check / calibration................................................................................... 40
Calibrating a vibration sensor ................................................................................................... 42
Microphone check............................................................................................................................ 42

iii
Norsonic Nor150
Instruction Manual
Chapter 9 Measurement Setup Menu............................................................................................44
High-pass input filter.................................................................................................................. 45
Weather Station...........................................................................................................................47
Chapter 10 FFT ..................................................................................................................................48
Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 48
How to select FFT ............................................................................................................................ 48
Making a measurement.................................................................................................................... 48
Calibration ........................................................................................................................................ 49
Corrections ....................................................................................................................................... 49
Chapter 11 Trigger Selection Menu.................................................................................................50
Global Trigger................................................................................................................................... 50
The Event Trigger ............................................................................................................................. 53
Chapter 12 Working with Markers ...................................................................................................56
Setting up Markers - the Marker Setup menu .................................................................................. 56
System specified markers................................................................................................................ 57
Adding a marker to an ongoing measurement ................................................................................ 58
Working with markers - post processing.......................................................................................... 58
Chapter 13 Recording the sound - Audio record and replay ................................................................ 59
Making a recording .......................................................................................................................... 60
Listening - replaying an audio recording ..........................................................................................61
Insert a reference tone as a recording..............................................................................................61
Chapter 14 Camera ...........................................................................................................................62
Internal camera................................................................................................................................. 62
Device camera ................................................................................................................................. 62
IP camera. ....................................................................................................................................... 63
Chapter 15 Voice and Text notes.....................................................................................................64
Adding text and voice notes............................................................................................................. 64
Retrieving text and voice notes. ....................................................................................................... 64
Chapter 16 Pausing and resuming a measurement ......................................................................66
The difference between a “Pause” and a “Hold” function............................................................... 67

iv Contents
Chapter 17 Storing a measurement - Memory Organising Menu ................................................68
File name .......................................................................................................................................... 69
Unique Measurement identifier ........................................................................................................ 70
Save and Manage Measurement setup ........................................................................................... 70
Write Protected Setup....................................................................................................................... 70
Rename, Delete, Move ......................................................................................................................71
Set Factory default.............................................................................................................................71
Save Debug Log................................................................................................................................71
Chapter 18 Application Selection Menu - Predefined Setups......................................................72
Creating a user defined setup.......................................................................................................... 73
Chapter 19 Signal Generator (Optional)......................................................................................... 74
Chapter 20 Building Acoustic..........................................................................................................75
Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 75
Measurement Mode ..........................................................................................................................76
Colour assignment ......................................................................................................................76
Display views in Measurement Mode ........................................................................................ 77
Single-Channel views ................................................................................................................ 78
Dual-Channel views ................................................................................................................... 78
On-screen menus ...................................................................................................................... 78
Setup ................................................................................................................................................ 79
Input - Setup............................................................................................................................... 79
Type - Setup ............................................................................................................................... 79
Level - Setup (Figure 20.16)....................................................................................................... 80
Reverberation - Setup (Figure 20.18)......................................................................................... 80
Rating – Setup.............................................................................................................................81
Standard:.....................................................................................................................................81
Source (Figure 20.21) ................................................................................................................ 82
Receiving (Figure 20.22) ........................................................................................................... 82
Test Specimen............................................................................................................................ 83
Various parameters (Figure 20.25) ............................................................................................ 83
Signal Generator - Setup (Figure 20.26) ................................................................................... 83
Memory – Setup (Figure 20.27) ................................................................................................. 84
Making the Level measurements ..................................................................................................... 84

v
Norsonic Nor150
Instruction Manual
Making the Background noise measurements ..........................................................................86
Making the Reverberation time measurements .........................................................................87
Project Mode ..............................................................................................................................88
Display views in Project Mode .............................................................................................88
Rating views 1 - 4 ................................................................................................................90
Rating View-1 .......................................................................................................................90
Rating View-2 .......................................................................................................................91
Rating View-3 .......................................................................................................................91
Rating View-4 .......................................................................................................................91
Measurements views 1 – 4...................................................................................................92
View 1- 4 for reverberation time measurements .................................................................93
View 1 - 4 for receiving room measurements .....................................................................93
Measurement View-1 ...........................................................................................................94
Measurement View-2 ...........................................................................................................95
Measurement View-3 ...........................................................................................................96
Measurement View-4 ...........................................................................................................97
Exclude measurement positions ................................................................................................98
Adjust reverberation decay line..................................................................................................98
Start a new project .....................................................................................................................99
Continue an existing project.......................................................................................................99
Chapter 21 Sound intensity .....................................................................................................100
Setting up the instrument for intensity......................................................................................101
Assembling and handling the probe .................................................................................101
Probe dismantling ..............................................................................................................103
Transducer setup ...............................................................................................................103
Connecting a smartphone .................................................................................................105
Calibration and phase correction.............................................................................................105
Pressure calibration ...........................................................................................................105
Phase correction ................................................................................................................106
Verification procedure........................................................................................................109
Configuring an intensity measurement .................................................................................... 110
Probe and environment parameters .................................................................................. 111
Defining a measurement surface....................................................................................... 111
Measurement settings........................................................................................................ 115
Navigating the Sound Intensity mode ...................................................................................... 118
Introducing the surface scopes......................................................................................... 118

vi Contents
The views ..................................................................................................................................119
Errors and warnings ..................................................................................................................121
Saving and loading intensity projects.......................................................................................123
Helpful features .........................................................................................................................123
Using the smartphone...............................................................................................................123
Sound power using ISO 9614-2 ......................................................................................................123
Measurement configuration ......................................................................................................124
Measuring .................................................................................................................................125
Reviewing the measurements...................................................................................................126
Segment scope.........................................................................................................................126
Surface scope...........................................................................................................................127
Total scope................................................................................................................................128
Measurement functions and indicators ................................................................................... 129
Warning indicators ................................................................................................................... 129
Sound power using ISO 9614-1 ..................................................................................................... 130
Measurement configuration ..................................................................................................... 130
Measurement time ....................................................................................................................131
Filtering......................................................................................................................................131
Measurement precision ............................................................................................................131
Temporal Variability...................................................................................................................132
Surface definition ......................................................................................................................132
Measuring ................................................................................................................................ 133
Temporal Variability.................................................................................................................. 133
Main measurement................................................................................................................... 135
Reviewing the measurements.................................................................................................. 135
Total scope............................................................................................................................... 138
Measurement functions and indicators ....................................................................................141
Chapter 22 Instrument Specific Setup..........................................................................................143
Digital and Analog I/O.................................................................................................................... 143
Digital Output ........................................................................................................................... 144
Headset.................................................................................................................................... 144
Analog Output.......................................................................................................................... 144
Communication .............................................................................................................................. 145
Security .....................................................................................................................................146
Connection:.............................................................................................................................. 150

vii
Norsonic Nor150
Instruction Manual
Keyboard...................................................................................................................................................................... 150
Reference Tone .................................................................................................................................................................. 150
Power Settings.................................................................................................................................................................... 150
Instrument Name ................................................................................................................................................................ 151
Date and Time .................................................................................................................................................................... 151
Language ..................................................................................................................................................................... 152
Number Format ............................................................................................................................................................ 153
About............................................................................................................................................................................ 153
Install new software, service pack or new fonts................................................................................................................. 153
The software license system .............................................................................................................................................. 154
Installing new options......................................................................................................................................................... 154
Activate evaluation license ................................................................................................................................................. 154
Chapter 23 Norsonic software.......................................................................................................................................155
Chapter 24 Technical Specifications ............................................................................................................................156
Firmware version ................................................................................................................................................................ 156
Type of instrument .............................................................................................................................................................. 156
Analog inputs...................................................................................................................................................................... 157
Input connector............................................................................................................................................................ 157
Microphone input socket (outside view)...................................................................................................................... 157
High-pass input filter .......................................................................................................................................................... 158
Nor1225 data ............................................................................................................................................................... 158
Preamplifier......................................................................................................................................................................... 158
Nor1209 data ............................................................................................................................................................... 159
Nor1209 Technical Specifications ............................................................................................................................... 159
Acoustical data................................................................................................................................................................... 160
Acoustical data for Nor1225 and Nor1209 mounted on Nor150................................................................................. 160
Reference direction: .................................................................................................................................................... 160
Microphone Reference Point ....................................................................................................................................... 160
Detailed table for level corrections according to IEC 62585....................................................................................... 161
Directional response – Horizontal ................................................................................................................................ 165
Directional response - Vertical..................................................................................................................................... 167
Directional response – Horizontal with Wind Screen................................................................................................... 169
Directional response – Vertical with Wind Screen ....................................................................................................... 171
Verification of the free field response ................................................................................................................................ 173

viii Contents
Analog to digital converters ............................................................................................................173
Frequency weightings .....................................................................................................................173
Weighting networks:..................................................................................................................173
Filters.........................................................................................................................................173
Filter type...................................................................................................................................173
FFT...................................................................................................................................................173
Level detector..................................................................................................................................174
Detector type............................................................................................................................. 174
Crest factor capability ............................................................................................................... 174
Overload indication...................................................................................................................174
Under-range indication ............................................................................................................. 174
Time weightings and measured functions................................................................................ 174
Level distribution .............................................................................................................................175
Statistics ....................................................................................................................................175
Indication on the screen of the Nor150 ...........................................................................................176
Indication range...............................................................................................................................176
Self-noise levels...............................................................................................................................176
Electric self-noise ............................................................................................................................176
Acoustic self-noise....................................................................................................................177
Considerations for low noise measurements............................................................................177
Measurement duration and resolution ...........................................................................................177
Measurement ranges ......................................................................................................................178
Total range for measurement of A-weighted levels .................................................................178
Total range for measurement of C-weighted levels .................................................................178
Total range for measurement of Z-weighted levels ..................................................................178
Measurement range for C-weighted peak levels .....................................................................179
The Nor150 used for electrical measurements ...............................................................................179
Electrical verification measurements ..............................................................................................179
Power supply ...................................................................................................................................179
Internal battery .........................................................................................................................179
Power consumption.................................................................................................................. 180
External DC / Charging input................................................................................................... 180
Mains adapter Nor345A........................................................................................................... 180
Display............................................................................................................................................ 180
Keyboard ........................................................................................................................................ 180
Adjustment of indicated levels ........................................................................................................181

ix
Norsonic Nor150
Instruction Manual
Random response.....................................................................................................................181
Windscreen ...............................................................................................................................181
High Levels................................................................................................................................181
Diffraction around the instrument casing .......................................................................................182
The general I/O socket....................................................................................................................182
Signal output – Noise generator .............................................................................................. 183
Signal output – Microphone signal .......................................................................................... 183
Serial I/O port........................................................................................................................... 183
Digital inputs ............................................................................................................................ 183
Digital output control lines ....................................................................................................... 183
Headset input and output socket................................................................................................... 184
LAN interface.................................................................................................................................. 184
USB interface ................................................................................................................................. 184
Data / Result storage ...................................................................................................................... 184
SD-card.................................................................................................................................... 184
Internal memory ....................................................................................................................... 184
Environmental conditions ............................................................................................................... 185
Warm-up time ................................................................................................................................. 185
Changes in the environmental conditions...................................................................................... 185
Sensitivity to static pressure........................................................................................................... 185
Sensitivity for vibration.................................................................................................................... 186
Sensitivity for magnetic fields......................................................................................................... 186
Sensitivity for radio frequencies ..................................................................................................... 186
Emission of radio frequencies ........................................................................................................ 186
Sensitivity for AC power frequency .................................................................................................187
Recovery after electrostatic discharge ...........................................................................................187
Size and weight ...............................................................................................................................187
Appendix A Index ............................................................................................................................. 191
Appendix B Battery Certification N38.3 Transport of Dangerous Goods ...............................196
Appendix C Declaration of Conformity..........................................................................................199

xContents

xi
Norsonic Nor150
Instruction Manual
nor150
SOUND & VIBRATION ANALYSER

1
Norsonic Nor150
Instruction Manual
Important information
Please read all safety, precaution and storage information
before use. These sections contain vital information to
maintain safety and warranty.
Safety instructions
• Read these instructions.
• Follow all warnings and safety instructions.
• Do not use the instrument in rain or moisture.
• Keep the instrument out of corrosive atmosphere
and do not use it in a hazardous area.
• Clean the instrument only with dry cloth, except for
the display where special wipes are available.
• Do not place this instrument near any heat sources
such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
apparatus that produce heat.
• Only use the original mains adapter supplied with
the instrument.
• The internal battery is a Li-ion type. Make sure it is
recycled properly if it is going to be replaced
• Make sure the instrument and any accessories are
not damaged in any way use.
• Only use attachments/accessories allowed or
specified by Norsonic AS.
• Be careful when using the instrument on a tripod or
in combination with a rotating boom.
• Unplug this instrument during lightning storms or
when unused for long periods of time.
• Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
There are NO user-serviceable parts inside.
Servicing is required when the instrument has been
damaged in any way, such as power failure, battery
failure or any plug is damaged, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the
instrument has been exposed to rain or moisture,
does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
Important notice! Never block the tiny hole located
at above the knurled screw on the preamplifier.
This is the ventilation hole to equalize static
pressure difference in the microphone. Blocking
this hole may give wrong measurement results.

2Chapter 1
Important information
Caution!
Never expose the batteries to temperatures
outside maximum operation temperature range;
-10 °C / 14 °F to +50 °C / 122 °F.
Maximum storage temperature range is -30 °C /
-22 °F to +50 °C / 122 °F. Room temperature is
recommended for long time storage. Always fully
charge the batteries before storage. Recharge
batteries fully every third month for long time
storage.
Never use mechanical damaged batteries.
Shipment of batteries via air or brought as hand
luggage / luggage are governed by IATA /
UN3481, PI 967 section II when shipped as a
part of the instrument and PI 966 part II if shipped
separate. See IATA standard for labelling the
parcel and to acquire latest information about
shipment instructions.
NOTE Damaged batteries are strictly prohibited to
be shipped as airfreight or brought onto a plain as
hand luggage or checked in luggage.
Precautions
You probably already know it but…
…. always turn on the password protection if you
connect the instrument to a public or unsecured
network. If not, the instrument is an easy victim for
cyber-attack. It is a good practice to always use a FTP
password regardless of the connection environment.
Also, enable a password protection for the NorRemote
program. “Security” on page 146
… the microphone is an especially fragile device. It is
easily broken, so take care.
…. always keep the microphone cartridge mounted on
the preamplifier. This is the safest way to avoid damage
and access of dirt on the contact pin between the
preamplifier and microphone cartridge.
… keep the instrument in its carrying case, don’t leave
it everywhere.
… even the instrument is a field instrument, prevent it
from direct contact with dust and moisture.
… Nor150 is a measurement instrument; protect it from
impacts and strong vibration.
… never store the instrument with empty batteries. This
may permanent damage the batteries
… fully recharge batteries every month if the instrument
is not in use.
… always calibrate the microphone before and after a
measurement.
… send the instrument for verification at an accredited
laboratory minimum every 24 months.

3
Norsonic Nor150
Instruction Manual
Taking a closer look at
the instrument
Be sure to take utmost care when mounting a
microphone cartridge onto a preamplifier. To avoid
electrical shock from the 200 V polarization voltage
always keep the preamplifier disconnected whenever
you are mounting a cartridge onto a preamplifier and
screw finger tight only!
The picture shows the Nor150 fitted with the standard
preamplifier Nor1209 and the microphone Nor1225
mounted in sound channel one.
The instrument is powered from an internal rechargeable
Li-ion battery pack. The battery is fully charged when
leaving the factory, but due to self-discharge, you may
experience the battery gauge shows a lower value than
full. The batteries will be charged once the instrument
is connected to mains via the supplied mains adapter
Nor345A/Nor345B.
Always keep the microphone cartridge mounted on
the preamplifier. This is the safest way to avoid
damage and access of dirt on the contact pin
between the preamplifier and microphone cartridge.
The preamplifier input has extremely high input
impedance (10 Giga ohms) in order not to load the
microphone cartridge. Hence, dust, finger prints or
other types of contamination may change the
sensitivity of the microphone, especially at high
humidity.

4Chapter 2
Taking a closer look at Nor150
It is recommended to use the measurement control
buttons in the touch sensitive screen if you are
measuring low noise levels. The rubber keyboard
may generate acoustical noise that might influence
your measurements at levels below 40 dBA.
Switching ON/OFF
The instrument is toggled ON/OFF by pressing
the lower right key . A short push is enough to
start the instrument. The instrument is then going
through an initial start-up procedure before showing
a measurement display or the application selection
menu.
A new push on the button produces a question on the
screen, where you confirm that the instrument shall be
turned off or lock/unlock the keyboard and the touch
sensitive display.
You may force the instrument to turn off by pressing the
ON/OFF key for more than 5 seconds.
Keyboard
The Nor150 is mainly operated via the touch screen.
There is however a dedicated backlit rubber
keyboard used for operation of the main important
functions such as power ON/OFF, measurement
START/STOP, PAUSE and CALIBRATION. The
philosophy is that all important functions can be
operated via the keyboard as well as the touch
sensitive display.
The backlit keyboard enables easy operation in dark
environment. The backlight level is factory preset, but
may be adjusted in the Power Setting menu. A time out
function is added that will turn off the keyboard light.
Touching the screen or push a button will turn the light
on again. You may turn off the keyboard light or reduce
the power consumption. This setting is done in SETUP
> Instrument > Power Setting.