Rion NL-62 User manual

Sound Level Meter
NL-62
Quick Instruction Manual
(Ver.1.0)
RION CO., LTD.
Technical Support Division,
Sound and Vibration Measuring Instruments Business Department
November 9th, 2012
HU0-01
Sound Level Meter
(With low-frequency sound measurement function)
Class 1 NL-62

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Contents
1 Controls and Functions...................................................................................................................................... 3
1-1. Front panel, Operation key panel.............................................................................................................. 3
1-2. Input/Output Connectors........................................................................................................................... 4
1-3. Measurement screen display..................................................................................................................... 4
2. Preparations...................................................................................................................................................... 5
2-1. Power on/off.............................................................................................................................................. 5
2-2. Menu list screen........................................................................................................................................ 5
2-3. Battery type............................................................................................................................................... 5
2-4. Battery status............................................................................................................................................. 5
2-5. Output level range..................................................................................................................................... 5
2-6. Internal calibration.................................................................................................................................... 7
2-7. Acoustic calibration .................................................................................................................................. 7
2-8. Setting of the frequency weighting and the time weighting...................................................................... 9
3. Measurement.................................................................................................................................................. 10
3-1. Sound level measurement ....................................................................................................................... 10
3-2. Store operation.........................................................................................................................................11
(1) Manual mode operation...........................................................................................................................11
(2) Auto mode operation .............................................................................................................................. 14
(3) Timer Auto mode operation.................................................................................................................... 17
4. Data recall ...................................................................................................................................................... 20
4-1. Recalling stored data on sound level meter............................................................................................. 20
4-2. Recalling stored data on a computer....................................................................................................... 22
5. Delay time, Pause, Back erase........................................................................................................................ 25
5-1. Delay time............................................................................................................................................... 25
5-2. Pause, Back erase.................................................................................................................................... 26
6. Marker............................................................................................................................................................ 28
7. Sub channel settings, Additional processing settings..................................................................................... 29
8. Waveform recording....................................................................................................................................... 31
8-1. Manual recording.................................................................................................................................... 34
8-2. Level recording....................................................................................................................................... 35
8-3. Interval recording.................................................................................................................................... 37
8-4. Total recording........................................................................................................................................ 38
9. Other operations ............................................................................................................................................. 39
9-1. Stored data copy to a computer connected via USB ............................................................................... 39
9-2. Data recovery.......................................................................................................................................... 39
9-3. Screen hard copy..................................................................................................................................... 39

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9-4. Key lock.................................................................................................................................................. 40
9-5. Eco setting (Power-saving mode) ........................................................................................................... 40
10. Menu list....................................................................................................................................................... 41
10-1. Menu list items of NL-62...................................................................................................................... 41
10-2. Menu list items of NX-42WR............................................................................................................... 41

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1．Controls and Functions
1-1．Front panel, Operation key panel
This sound level meter has the following display and key panel.
Several settings such as frequency weighting, time weighting and other parameters for measurement are set
from the menu list.
The display supports various languages, and enables user-friendly, intuitive operation designed to be used
comfortably, also by persons who are inexperienced in measurements.
Display
POWER key
Turns power to the unit on and off.
Indicator LED
Lights/fashes in red or blue
to indicate the operation or
status of the unit.
PAUSE/CONT key
Press the key to pause
measurement, and press the key
again to resume measurement.
CAL key
This key is used for calibration of
the unit and for level calibration of
connected equipment.
DISPLAY key
This key switches measurement
screen display.
LIGHT key
This key turns on the display
backlight. Press the key again to
turn the backlight off.
START/STOP key
Press to start or stop the measurement
MENU/ENTER key
Press this key to make or finalize the setting
of an item in a menu or any other setting.
When the key is pressed at the measurement
screen, the menu list screen comes up.
Microphone
Preamplifier
Bottom cover
This cover protects the connectors on
the bottom during transport or storage.
Removing the cover gives access to the
connectors.
key
These four keys serve for selecting
and setting items on menu screens.

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1-2．Input/Output Connectors
A variety of I/O connections
1-3．Measurement screen display
The illustration below shows all elements of the display for explanation purposes.
In actual operation, such a screen will not be shown.

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2．Preparations
2-1．Power on/off
Power on : Hold down the POWER key until the power-on screen appears (at least 1 second).
Power off : Hold down the POWER key until the unit is turned off (several seconds).
2-2．Menu list screen
①When the measurement screen is displayed, pressing the MENU/ENTER
key brings up the menu list screen as shown to the right.
②Use the / / / keys to select the desired menu item and press
the MENU/ENTER key.
③Pressing the DISPLAY key displays explanation (help) screen of the item
that has been selected.
④Pressing the PAUSE/CONT key switches back to the previous screen.
⑤Pressing the START/STOP key switches back to the measurement screen.
2-3．Battery type
In this menu item, you can select the type of battery used for the unit.
The battery power corresponding to the selected battery is displayed on the measurement screen.
From the [System(Language)] menu, select [Battery type] and press the MENU/ENTER key.
The battery type screen appears.
Use / the keys to select the battery type (Alkaline, Ni-MH[Nickel-metal hydride]) and press the
MENU/ENTER key.
If [Battery type] is set to the wrong type, the unit might be working but the battery life becomes shorter.
In addition, the battery status cannot be indicated in correct indicator segments.
This is because alkaline battery voltage is about 1.5 V and Ni-MH battery voltage is about 1.2 V.
Therefore, [Battery type] must be set correct.
2-4．Battery status
When the unit is operated on battery power, you should regularly check the battery indication . The
number of white segments will decrease as the batteries get used up. When the indication starts to flash in
red, replace the batteries with a fresh set.
2-5．Output level range
The unit can measure without switching rages. It is single range.
However, the output level range and bar graph level range of the unit need to be set, in order to connect
signal outputs to a Data Recorder or Level Recorder.

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Especially when the unit is connected to a Level Recorder, Data Recorder or Frequency Analyzer, it is
necessary to consider the Dynamic Range.
For example, when the unit is connected to a Level Recorder, whose dynamic range is maximum 50 dB, if
the full scale output of the unit is set to 130 dB, the Level Recorder would record the data in the range
from 80 dB to 130 dB. Therefore it cannot record below 80 dB.
On the other hand, if the full scale output of the unit is set to 90 dB, the Level Recorder would record the
data in the range from 40 dB to 90 dB.
AC output and DC output specifications are shown below.
・AC output voltage：1 V(rms) at display full-scale point
・DC output voltage：2.5V, 25 mV/dB at display full-scale point
The procedure for setting the upper scale value of the bar graph and full scale of output voltage is as
follows:
①Select [Display] on the menu list and select [Output Level Range Upper].
②Use the △／▽ keys to set the value (70 to 130, 10 dB step). Then press the MENU/ENTER key.
③Return to the Measurement screen and confirm that the output level range changed.
Also confirm the upper scale value of the bar graph.
(For example, full scale settings of 130 dB and 90 dB are shown below）
･Reference
Set the lower Output level range.
Select [Output Level Range Lower] and press the MENU/ENTER key.
Use the △／▽ keys to set the value (20 to 80, 10 dB step).
Then press the MENU/ENTER key. This setting does not affect the output level.
In case full scale of output
level range is 130 dB.
In case full scale of output
level range is 90 dB.

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2-6．Internal calibration (Electrical calibration)
Before and after a measurement, the unit must be calibrated.
Calibration is carried out using a signal generator (1 kHz, sinusoidal wave) built into the unit.
The procedure for internal calibration is described below.
①Press the CAL key. Verify that “Internal Calibration” is displayed in the upper part of the screen.
②If “Acoustic Calibration” is shown in the upper part of the screen, press the DISPLAY key. The
calibration mode will change to “Internal Calibration”.
③Confirm that the calibration value indication shows 124 dB steadily. If the bar graph upper limit
setting is not 130 dB, a value of [Output Level Range Upper -6 dB] will be flashing as the value on the
calibration value indication.
④Use the △／▽ keys to bring the level indication to the specified value (124.0 dB).
⑤When calibration to 124.0 dB is completed, press the CAL key once more to return to the
measurement screen.
Note: If the bar graph upper limit setting is not 130 dB, bring the level indication to a value that is 6 dB
below the current upper limit of the bar graph scale.
2-7．Acoustic calibration (with sound calibrator)
To confirm the microphone sensitivity, you need to execute acoustic calibration using a sound calibrator.
The procedure for acoustic calibration is described below.
If the output level range should be changed, refer to “2-5. Output level range”.
①Turn off the Sound Calibrator NC-74 and NL-62.
②Insert the microphone very carefully and slowly all the way into the coupler.
③Set the power switch of the Sound Calibrator to ON.
④Set the frequency weighting as described below.
Refer to “2-8. Setting of the frequency weighting and the time weighting”.
・When using the Sound calibrator NC-74：Select the frequency weighting A, C, or Z.
⑤Press the CAL key. Acalibration screen appears.
“Internal Calibration” is displayed
Use the △ ／ ▽ keys to bring the level
indication to the specified value (124.0 dB).

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⑥Verify that “Acoustic Calibration” is displayed in the upper part of the screen. If “Internal
Calibration” is shown in the upper part of the screen, press the DISPLAY key. The calibration mode will
change to “Acoustic Calibration”.
Use the △／▽ keys to adjust the reading of the NL-62 to the value shown in the table below.
These values were derived taking into consideration the relationship between the sound pressure level at
the microphone in the coupler (specified sound pressure level) and the influence of case reflections and
the microphone refraction effect when placed in a sound field.
Calibrator
Calibration value
Sound Calibrator（NC-74）
94.0 dB
《Example of calibration display using sound calibrator NC-74》
⑦Press the CAL key. The measurement screen returns.
⑧Restore the frequency weighting.（refer to ⑤）
⑨Turn off the Sound Calibrator NC-74 and the NL-62.
⑩Remove the microphone very carefully and slowly from the coupler.
LAor LC or LZ
"Acoustic calibration" is displayed.
Use the △/▽keys to bring the
level indication to the specified
value.

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2-8．Setting of the frequency weighting and the time weighting
①Press the MENU/ENTER key to bring up the menu list screen.
②On the touch screen, select the frequency weighting characteristic for the main channel. Each press
on the “Freq” field with the finger cycles through the following settings “A”, “C”, “Z”,”G”.
(The frequency weighting characteristic can also be set using the [Measure] screen in the menu list
screen.）
③Select the time weighting characteristic for the main channel on the touch screen. Each press on the
“Time” field of the touch screen with the finger cycles through the following settings “F (Fast)”, “S
(Slow)”,”10s”.
(The time weighting characteristic can also be set using the [Measure] screen in the menu list
screen.）
④Pressing the START/STOP key switches back to the measurement screen.
Frequency weighting
Time weighting
Frequency weighting
Time weighting