PCE Instruments PCE-MSM 4 User manual

© PCE Instruments
PCE-MSM 4, PCE-322A, PCE-323 Sound Level Meter
User Manual
User manuals in various languages (français,
italiano, español, português, nederlands, türk, polski,
русский, 中文) can be found by using our
product search on: www.pce-instruments.com
Last change: 7 November 2022
v1.0
English

© PCE Instruments
Contents
1Safety notes........................................................................................... 1
2Specifications........................................................................................2
3Delivery scope.......................................................................................2
4Device description ................................................................................ 3
4.1 Keyboard description........................................................................................................ 4
4.2 Display description........................................................................................................... 5
5Switching the meter on and off ...........................................................6
5.1 Making a measurement.................................................................................................... 6
6Automatic power off ............................................................................. 9
7Data logging (PCE-322A, PCE-323 only)...........................................10
7.1 Clearing the memory.......................................................................................................10
7.2 Setting the memory interval.............................................................................................10
8Replacing the battery..........................................................................10
9Bluetooth connection (PCE-323 only)...............................................11
10 PC connection.....................................................................................11
10.1 Driver..............................................................................................................................12
10.2 Software operation..........................................................................................................14
11 Mains adaptor......................................................................................16
12 Analogue output.................................................................................. 17
13 Calibration ........................................................................................... 17
14 Contact.................................................................................................18
15 Disposal ...............................................................................................18

© PCE Instruments
1
1 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The
device may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel.
Damage or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual are excluded from our liability and
not covered by our warranty.
•The device must only be used as described inthis instruction manual. If used otherwise,
this can cause dangerous situations for the user and damage to the meter.
•The instrument may only be used if the environmental conditions (temperature, relative
humidity, …) are within the ranges stated in the technical specifications. Do not expose
the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.
•Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations.
•The case should only be opened by qualified PCE Instruments personnel.
•Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.
•You must not make any technical changes to the device.
•The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Use only pH-neutral cleaner,
no abrasives or solvents.
•The device must only be used with accessories from PCE Instruments or equivalent.
•Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If any damage is visible, do not
use the device.
•Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.
•The measurement range as stated in the specifications must not be exceeded under
any circumstances.
•Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to the device and injuries to
the user.
We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this manual.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of
business.

© PCE Instruments
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2 Specifications
Sound level ranges
Low 30 ... 80 dB
Medium 50 ... 100 dB
High 80 ... 130 dB
Auto 30 ... 130 dB
Dynamic range
50 dB
Resolution
0.1 dB
Accuracy
±1.4 dB (under reference conditions
@ 94 dB, 1 KHz)
Accuracy class
IEC61672-1 Class 2
Frequency range
31.5 Hz ... 8 kHz
Time rating
FAST (125 ms)
SLOW (1 s)
Frequency weighting
A and C
Microphone type
1/2" electret condenser
Display
4-digit LC display with backlight
Display update
2 Hz
Data memory
32700 measured values (only PCE-322A,
PCE-323)
Memory interval
1 ... 59 s
Analogue output via 3.5 mm jack connection
1 Vrms/dB AC (impedance 100 Ω)
10 mV/dB DC (impedance 1 kΩ)
Data interface
USB, Bluetooth 4.0 (PCE-323 only)
Bracket
3/8" connection
Functions
MIN, MAX, HOLD
display when
exceeding or falling below the sound level
Automatic power off
after approx. 15 minutes of inactivity
Power supply (battery)
9 V block battery (typically 30 operating
hours)
Power supply (mains operation)
primary: 100 ... 240 V AC, 50 / 60 Hz, 0.2 A
secondary: 9 V DC, 0.5 A
Operating conditions
0 ... +40 °C, 10 ... 90 % RH, non-
condensing, altitude <2000 m
Storage conditions
-10 ... +60 °C, 10 ... 75 % RH, non-
condensing
Dimensions
304 x 82 x 40 mm / 12.0 x 3.2 x 1.6 in
Weight
350 g / <1 lb (without battery)
3 Delivery scope
1 x sound level meter
1 x mini tripod
1 x screwdriver
1 x carrying case
1 x 9 V block battery
1 x user manual
1 x mains adaptor
The software can be downloaded here:
https://www.pce-instruments.com/english/download-win_4.htm

© PCE Instruments
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4 Device description
No.
Description
1
Microphone with windscreen
2
Connections for power supply, mini-USB, analogue outputs, calibration screw
3
Display
4
Keyboard
5
Battery compartment (rear)
1
2
3
4
5

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4.1 Keyboard description
No.
Description
1
"REC" key to start recording
2
"SETUP" key to open the settings, to activate the PC interface, to disable and enable
automatic power off and to start the Bluetooth connection (PCE-323 only)
3
Switching the backlight on and off
4
"FAST SLOW" key to switch between fast and slow time rating
5
"A / C" key for switching between frequency weightings A and C
6
"HOLD" key to freeze the display
7
On / off key
8
"LEVEL" key for setting the sound level range
9
"MAX MIN" key to activate the "MIN / MAX" function
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
7

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4.2 Display description
No.
Description
1
Current measured value is below the set measurement range
2
Currently displayed measured value is the highest measured value
3
Bluetooth connection active (PCE-323 only)
4
Currently displayed measured value is the lowest measured value
5
Time rating "Fast" - fast (125 ms)
6
Time rating "Slow" - slow (1 s)
7
Current measured value is above the set measurement range
8
Measurement range scale
9
Date and time
10
Measured value
11
Automatic power off is active
12
Battery is discharged and must be replaced
13
File recording is started (PCE-322A, PCE-323 only)
14
Data memory is full (PCE-322A, PCE-323 only)
15
Frequency weighting A
16
Frequency weighting B
17
Display is frozen
18
Level range is set automatically

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5 Switching the meter on and off
To switch on the meter, press and release the on/off key once. To turn off the meter, press and
hold this key until the display turns off.
5.1 Making a measurement
Before you can carry out a measurement, the meter must be set according to the respective
measuring task.
5.1.1 Setting the frequency weighting
To set the frequency weighting of a measurement, press the "A/C" key to select between
frequency weighting A and C. The respective frequency weighting is shown by "dBA" and "dBC"
on the display.
5.1.2 Selecting the sound level range
Press the "LEVEL" key repeatedly to select between the sound level ranges 50 ... 100, 80 ... 130,
30 ... 80 and automatic. The selected sound level range is displayed on the scale. If a range is
exceeded or undercut, this is indicated by "Over" or "Under".
5.1.3 Setting the time rating
To set the time rating, press the "FAST SLOW" key. With the "Fast" setting, the time weighting is
125 ms and with "Slow", it is 1 s. The setting is shown directly on the display.
5.1.4 Lowest and highest measured value
To display the highest or lowest measured value, press the "MAX MIN" key. Either the highest or
the lowest reading is now displayed. To resume the normal measurement, press the key
repeatedly until "Max" and "Min" are no longer shown on the display.
Note: Only one function is active at a time. If you switch between the individual functions, the
last value is reset.
5.1.5 Freezing the measured value
To freeze the displayed reading, press the "HOLD" key. HOLD" appears on the display. To
resume the measurement, press this key again.
5.1.6 Backlight
To switch on the backlight, press the backlight key. To switch off the backlight, press the key
again.

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5.1.7 Setting the date and time
To set the date and time, first switch off the meter. Then press and hold the "SETUP" key and
switch on the meter. As soon as "TIME" is flashing, you can release the "SETUP" key. The
currently set date is now displayed. You can then select the minute, hour, day, month and year
one after the other using the "SETUP" key and set them with the "LEVEL" key. When setting the
hours, h-P stands for PM and h-A for AM.
Home view
Setting the minute

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Setting the hour
Setting the day
Setting the month