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Castle group dBAir, Operating Manual

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www.castlegroup.co.uk 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

dBAir Sound Level Meter 

 

Operating Manual 

 

Castle Group Ltd 

Salter Road 

Scarborough 

North Yorkshire 

YO11 3UZ, UK

 

 

Copyright © Castle Group Ltd 2017 

 

 

All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a 

retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, 

photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of the copyright holder. 

 

 

Rev B 

HB/141/030/EL

 

Summary of Contents for dBAir

Page 1: ...kshire YO11 3UZ UK Copyright Castle Group Ltd 2017 All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...ental 3 Safety Environmental Octave 3 Consultant 4 Microphone and Pre Amplifier 5 Microphone Types 5 Microphone Polarisation 6 Microphone Sensitivity 6 Removal of Microphone 7 Pre Amplifier Removal Fi...

Page 4: ...splay 17 Time History Disabled 17 Time History Enabled 17 Time History Disabled Duration Timer Set 18 Time History Enabled Duration Timer Set 18 Time History Enabled Interval Timer Set 19 Stopping an...

Page 5: ...ay Software 32 Update Instrument Software 33 Update Instrument HPD 34 Chapter 7 35 Menu Navigation Settings 35 Measurement Setup 36 Function 37 Full Octave 37 Third Octave 38 Frequencies 38 Short Inte...

Page 6: ...ection 49 Smart Timer 50 Duration Timer 51 Interval Timer 51 Start On 51 Statistics 52 Percentiles 53 Show LN 5 Minutes 53 Lden 54 Upgrade to Statistics 55 Audio Recording 56 Voice Memo 57 Start 57 En...

Page 7: ...74 Auto File Review 75 Save CSV File 75 Template Manager 76 Load Template 76 Create Template 77 Edit Template 78 Delete Template 79 Save Current Setup 80 Hearing Protection 81 Best Available Method 82...

Page 8: ...rt 100 Calibration 101 Cal Value dB 101 Cal History 103 Send History To Cloud 103 Startup Options 104 Calibration Reminder 104 Calibrate Instrument 104 Chapter 8 105 Measurement Screens 105 Measuremen...

Page 9: ...Every model of the dBAir sound level meter has inbuilt Wi Fi allowing you to automatically upload your recordings to our simple to use in browser software at TheCastleCloud com Your data here is secur...

Page 10: ...LPEAK LEP d Exposure Points Dose Hearing Protector Calculator Voice Memo Recording Safety Octave dBAir Safety Octave GA141SO LSPL LEQ LMIN LMAX LPEAK LEP d Exposure Points Dose Octave Band Analysis 1...

Page 11: ...EP d Exposure Points Dose Statistical Parameters LTM3 LTM5 Lday Levening Lnight Ldn Lden NA 10 user definable Ln values L1 L99 0 1dB resolution Hearing Protector Calculator Voice Memo Recording Noise...

Page 12: ...ording Options Exposure LEP d Exposure Points Dose Statistics LTM3 LTM5 Lday Levening Lnight Ldn Lden NA 10 user definable Ln values L1 L99 0 1dB resolution Octave Band Analysis 1 1 LSPL LE LEQ LMAX L...

Page 13: ...ach one however has a different sound incidence angle The sound incidence angle determines the angle the dBAir sound level meter is held relative to the actual noise source being measured Free Field S...

Page 14: ...es for a defined sound source Microphones are manufactured with numerous sensitivity levels and operate within a specified tolerance Different microphones of the same model may therefore give slight d...

Page 15: ...ch the pre amplifier position the RED orientation key on the pre amplifier with the RED identification mark on the dBAir sound level meter and gently push the pre amplifier into the connector To remov...

Page 16: ...calibration certificate Castle Group Ltd offers a complete calibration service offering either a full UKAS calibration or a standard traceable calibration which can be supplied with or without a test...

Page 17: ...ument will either be Free Field or Pressure Field see below for details of the measuring incidence angle for each microphone type Pressure Field meeting ANSI Standards Pressure Field microphones requi...

Page 18: ...determine if an overload occurs on the selected range In such cases you will need to select a higher range to accommodate the higher peak levels See Technical Specifications for peak range limits on...

Page 19: ...le for your specific model Please review your model in the dBAir Models Features to determine which parameters and features are available where required Keypad Layout All models of the dBAir sound lev...

Page 20: ...powering the instrument using the USB cable you may be shown a screen to activate the USB drive This is not required to power the unit press Soft Key 2 labelled Disable within 5 seconds to ensure the...

Page 21: ...uring Range Active User Template Active Voice Memo Recorded Flashes whilst recording Noise Event Recorded Flashes whilst recording USB Active WiFi Connected Signal Strength WiFi Error with Connection...

Page 22: ...of the information icons the current time date and the current screen selected The bottom dark blue bar will display the Record File Review or Stop symbols in a similar position to the image shown be...

Page 23: ...This is the standard mode of operation for your dBAir sound level meter The menu system can be accessed whilst in real time mode and the instrument settings changed if required Measurement screens ar...

Page 24: ...ted then the instrument may show Record Pending This indicates that a recording is scheduled to start at the specific time or date set DO NOT switch off the instrument as the recording will not take p...

Page 25: ...abled If Time History is not enabled for the recording the bottom bar will only indicate the elapsed recording time Time History Enabled When Time History is enabled for the recording the bottom bar w...

Page 26: ...ill only display the remaining recording time Time History Enabled Duration Timer Set When both Time History and Duration Timer are enabled for the recording then the bottom bar will display the remai...

Page 27: ...n both Time History and Interval Timer are enabled for the recording then the bottom bar will display the remaining interval timer repeats and the current long interval countdown time Long Interval Co...

Page 28: ...ing the Up or Down Arrow keys press OK to choose from the following Save Resume Recording Don t Save Voice Memo Save Select Save to save the recording using either manual or auto file naming as select...

Page 29: ...21 Voice Memo Select Voice Memo to attach a voice memo audio recording to the current data recording Press the Stop key to stop the voice memo audio recording and return to the available options...

Page 30: ...s to scroll measurement parameters Use Soft Key 2 to swap between measurement 1 or measurement 2 and Long Interval selection if Interval Timers have been used Use the Left or Right Arrow keys to scrol...

Page 31: ...rval started recording With the Long Interval Selected use the Left or Right Arrow keys to scroll and select any of the Long Interval periods Use Soft Key 2 to swap between measurement 1 or 2 and view...

Page 32: ...4 Time History Disabled Duration Timer Set If Time History had not been enabled for the recording but the Duration Timer has the bottom bar will only indicate the total recording time Total Record Tim...

Page 33: ...and the current long interval countdown time With the Long Interval Selected use the Left or Right Arrow keys to scroll and select any of the Long Interval periods Use Soft Key 2 to swap between measu...

Page 34: ...time and the selected Interval Timer Repeat With the Long Interval Selected use the Left or Right Arrow keys to scroll and select any of the Long Interval periods Use Soft Key 2 to swap between measu...

Page 35: ...to quit File Review mode and return to Real Time mode Menu Select Menu to access the menu system of the dBAir sound level meter the File Review mode remains active HPD Access the Hearing Protector Dat...

Page 36: ...icro USB Cable and your PC s internet connection You can also update your instruments software as and when required An alert in The Castle Cloud will inform you when updates are available The Gateway...

Page 37: ...your CastleCloud account by clicking on the Login button Enter your login details and if required tick Remember Me to save your login details Click the Login Button to login using the details provide...

Page 38: ...30 Change Account If multiple accounts are held then click on the Change Cloud Account button and select the required account...

Page 39: ...the gateway application access to your dBAir sound meter see USB Drive for more details if required A list of all files that can be sent to your CastleCloud account will be displayed within the appli...

Page 40: ...oftware Select Update and then Gateway Software The current Gateway Software version is displayed Click on Check for New Version to check TheCastleCloud com for updated software and follow on screen p...

Page 41: ...ftware Select Update and then Instrument Software The current Instrument Software version is displayed Click on Check for New Version to check TheCastleCloud com for updated software and follow on scr...

Page 42: ...ent HPD Select Update and then Instrument HPD The current Instrument HPD version is displayed Click on Check for New Version to check TheCastleCloud com for an updated version and follow on screen pro...

Page 43: ...the previous screen this will be displayed using the symbol when available Similarly Soft Key 2 can be used to go back to the measurement screen this will be displayed as Home when available The Main...

Page 44: ...ement Setup Select Measurement Setup to change how and what your sound level meter records and displays Scroll the available options using the Up or Down Arrow keys press OK to choose the highlighted...

Page 45: ...Measurement One only Full Octave When the function Full Octave is selected full octave band analysis is performed on measurement one and will produce the additional following parameter data for the sh...

Page 46: ...ng interval if used at the following frequencies Frequencies 12 5Hz 16Hz 20Hz 25Hz 31 5Hz 40Hz 50Hz 63Hz 80Hz 100Hz 125Hz 160Hz 200Hz 250Hz 315Hz 400Hz 500Hz 630Hz 800Hz 1kHz 1 25kHz 1 6kHz 2kHz 2 5kH...

Page 47: ...ir model doesn t not have access to octave band analysis either full octave and or third octave then you will be shown the screen below You can upgrade your dBAir sound level meter remotely from your...

Page 48: ...e measures linearly from 45dB to 140dB For display scaling purposes the displayed ranges on the instrument show 20dB to 100dB for the Low range and 40dB to 140dB for the High range Frequency Weighting...

Page 49: ...are recorded any that are disabled will neither be displayed nor recorded Scroll the available options using the directional Arrow keys press OK to toggle the highlighted selection Please note that t...

Page 50: ...UK EU Select this option for requirements meeting UK or EU legislation Exchange Rate Criterion and Threshold are fixed as below Exchange Rate 3 Criterion 85 Threshold Off When UK EU is selected the E...

Page 51: ...cords the following parameters LAVG DOSE TWA Custom Select this option to manually set legislation requirements as needed Exchange Rate 3 4 5 or 6 Criterion 70 75 80 85 90 or 95 Threshold Off 70 75 80...

Page 52: ...your particular dBAir model doesn t have access to Exposure data then you will be shown the screen below You can upgrade your dBAir sound level meter remotely from your office in a matter of minutes C...

Page 53: ...be shown as the Total Record Time Selections made within the Timer Selection where the instrument can calculate the record time this will be shown on the Data Recording screen as the Total Record Tim...

Page 54: ...Short and Long Time Interval Settings Where A Short Time Interval B Long Time Interval C Interval Timer Smart Timer or Duration Timer Total Measurement Length Note Long Time intervals do not have to b...

Page 55: ...ory On is disabled then all data recordings made will not contain any Time History data and the Short and Long Time Interval settings become unavailable In this case you will just get one set of measu...

Page 56: ...e start of each Short Interval period Calculations over the Short Time Interval are not displayed on screen Long Time Interval When Time History On is enabled each recording will calculate data over t...

Page 57: ...to toggle the selected option On Off Only one of the following options can be enabled at any time Smart Timer Duration Timer Interval Timer With the option enabled use the Left or Right Arrow keys to...

Page 58: ...be amended as shown below Start Day Hours Minutes Day Any Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Hours 00 to 23 Minutes 00 to 59 Stop Day Hours Minutes Day Any Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Hours 00 to 23 Minutes...

Page 59: ...enabled and allows the user to select how many times to repeat the Long Time Interval The total recording time is hence the Long Time Interval Repeat Selection The repeat setting can be amended as sho...

Page 60: ...Statistics are only available to instrument models fitted with this feature Scroll the available options using the Up or Down Arrow keys Press the OK key to select Percentiles LN or Lden Press OK or t...

Page 61: ...to scroll A maximum of ten percentiles can be selected and each one LN1 to LN10 can be individually set to the following value Off or 1 to 99 Use the Left or Right Arrow keys to amend the values for...

Page 62: ...to toggle enable Lden When enabled Day Evening and Night become available Scroll the available options using the Up or Down Arrow keys and use the Left or Right Arrow keys to amend the values Day Eve...

Page 63: ...our particular dBAir model doesn t have access to Statistical data then you will be shown the screen below You can upgrade your dBAir sound level meter remotely from your office in a matter of minutes...

Page 64: ...ls Scroll the available options using the Up or Down Arrow keys Press OK or the Left Right Arrow keys to toggle Event Recording Use the Left or Right Arrow keys to amend the Quality settings Use the L...

Page 65: ...prompted automatically to attach a voice memo at the start of a recording Press the OK key to start a Voice Memo recording or Soft Key 2 labelled Skip to start the data recording without creating a v...

Page 66: ...K key to start a Voice Memo recording or Soft Key 2 labelled Skip to save the data recording without creating a voice memo Press the OK key to stop the Voice Memo recording and save the data recording...

Page 67: ...During a data recording press the Stop key the recording is paused Use the Up or Down Arrow keys to highlight Voice Memo Press the OK key to start a Voice Memo recording or Soft Key 2 labelled Skip to...

Page 68: ...OK key to start a Voice Memo recording Press the OK key to stop the Voice Memo recording and attach to the open data recording Whilst recording a Voice Memo the Voice Memo icon will flash Any data rec...

Page 69: ...file format unweighted and limited to 2GB in size When Event Recording is enabled the options below become available for selection Quality Record Method o Trigger Setup Becomes available when Record M...

Page 70: ...ording is started it will not require a trigger event The audio file ends when the data recording ends or up to a maximum file size of 1 9GB Continuous Event Recording can create large audio files Set...

Page 71: ...ses falls below the Trigger Level on the negative falling edge of the input noise Trigger Level Use the Left Right Arrow keys to adjust the Trigger Level as follows Low Range 45 0 to 110 0 in 0 5dB re...

Page 72: ...kHz 5kHz 6 3kHz 8kHz 10kHz 12 5kHz 16kHz 20kHz Set the Trigger Frequency so that the triggering point of the noise event audio recording is isolated only to the frequency specified The noise event aud...

Page 73: ...be used for any legal reasons with your noise data or if you wish to re measure the noise levels from the recorded file If you wish to audibly hear audio noise events then enable this option which wil...

Page 74: ...selected Use the Left Right Arrow keys to adjust the character as required Upper Case A to Z Lower Case a to z Numeric 0 to 9 Press the OK key move to the next character and repeat the steps until you...

Page 75: ...saved and Wi Fi being enabled No files saved Files saved Wi Fi Off Files saved Wi Fi On Scroll the available options using the Up or Down Arrow keys press OK to choose from the following Load File Sen...

Page 76: ...file was created from a template or any type of audio recordings are also associated with the file Press Soft Key 2 labelled Filter to open a new window for file filtering options Filter Selection Fi...

Page 77: ...the Left or Right Arrow keys can be used to scroll the data files by page Associated icons are shown alongside the file name if the saved data file was created from a template or any type of audio rec...

Page 78: ...ing the Up or Down Arrow keys and press the OK Key or the Left Right Arrow keys to toggle each available option Only one option from All Time Today Previous 7 Days or Current Month can be selected at...

Page 79: ...71 Clear Cloud File Queue Select Clear Cloud File Queue to cancel all the pending file uploads This option only becomes available if a file exists in the upload queue...

Page 80: ...Scroll the available data files using the Up or Down Arrow keys press OK to select the file to delete If multiple files exist then the Left or Right Arrow keys can be used to scroll the data files by...

Page 81: ...lete All Files to delete all data recordings and all associated audio recordings Press Soft Key 1 to cancel and go back to the previous screen Press Soft Key 2 labelled Confirm to delete all files Del...

Page 82: ...UNT_A_TIME_DATE wav Noise Event Audio Wav File Each data file and any associated audio files begin with an incremental count 00001 to 99999 Each file is then tagged with one of the following for easy...

Page 83: ...Each audio file is then time and date stamped in the format as per language selected in the UK this is as follow TIME hhmmss DATE ddmmyy Auto File Review When Auto File Review is enabled then when ea...

Page 84: ...ied with your particular model of dBAir sound level meter Scroll the available options using the Up or Down Arrow keys press OK to choose the selection Load Template Scroll the available templates usi...

Page 85: ...te is very similar to the Measurement Setup screen which can be referred to for further information Scroll through the options using the Up or Down Arrow keys press OK to choose the selection and adju...

Page 86: ...ed to scroll the templates by page Editing Template is very similar to the Measurement Setup screen which can be referred to for further information Scroll through the options using the Up or Down Arr...

Page 87: ...available templates using the Up or Down Arrow keys press OK to select the template to delete If multiple templates exist then the Left or Right Arrow keys can be used to scroll the templates by page...

Page 88: ...w keys to adjust the character as required Upper Case A to Z Lower Case a to z Numeric 0 to 9 Press the OK key move to the next character and repeat the steps until you have successfully entered a tem...

Page 89: ...er Line 85dB RED Under Protected It is highly recommended that over protection where levels at the ear are below 70dB are avoided Over protection can impact on communication causing the user to remove...

Page 90: ...Air sound meter model is fitted with octave band analysis and if the data recording was recorded utilising full octave or third octave analysis Scroll the available manufacturers using the Up or Down...

Page 91: ...ect the highlighted model and show the frequency data for the open data file Use the Up or Down Arrow keys to toggle between graph or table view in graph view use the Left or Right Arrow keys to scrol...

Page 92: ...by page using the Left or Right Arrow keys press the OK key to select the highlighted option and show the calculated protection level for each model of the manufacturer Alternatively select All to sh...

Page 93: ...he Left or Right Arrow keys press the OK key to select the highlighted model and show the data for the open data file Not all hearing protectors have HML data If the data file is not recorded with the...

Page 94: ...the Left or Right Arrow keys press the OK key to select the highlighted option and show the calculated protection level for each model of the manufacturer Alternatively select All to show the calcula...

Page 95: ...page using the Left or Right Arrow keys press the OK key to select the highlighted model and show the data for the open data file Not all hearing protectors have SNR data If the data file is not recor...

Page 96: ...articular model of which is subtracted from the mean attenuation also given Different countries may require the use of 1 or 2 standard deviations for the UK it is highly recommended that 1 standard de...

Page 97: ...f your particular dBAir model doesn t have access to Hearing Protection then you will be shown the screen below You can upgrade your dBAir sound level meter remotely from your office in a matter of mi...

Page 98: ...he available options using the Up or Down Arrow keys press OK to choose from the following Wi Fi Screen Date Time Language Information SPL Bar Levels Support Press OK or the Left Right Arrow keys to t...

Page 99: ...to a network that is within range Press OK or the Left Right Arrow keys to toggle WiFi On When WiFi On is enabled then the options for Wi Fi become available scroll these options using the Up or Down...

Page 100: ...oll the available options using the Up or Down Arrow keys by default Upper Case is selected Use the Left Right Arrow keys to adjust the character as required Upper Case A to Z Lower Case a to z Numeri...

Page 101: ...hat require a browser login as dBAir does not have a web browser Network Settings Under most circumstances ensure DHCP is enabled If your network does not use DHCP then please see your IT administrato...

Page 102: ...d power saving features Brightness Use the Left Right Arrow keys to adjust the screen brightness as required Increased screen brightness reduces battery operating time Screen Colour Use the Left Right...

Page 103: ...ess OK or the Left Right Arrow keys to toggle Enable Screen Shot When screen shot is enabled the Power key can be pressed to capture and save the current screen to the internal SD card All images are...

Page 104: ...ft Right Arrow keys to move forward or back Press Soft Key 2 labelled Done to accept the date changes Time Enter the current date using the date format specific to your region Use the Up Down Arrow ke...

Page 105: ...the OK key or use the Left Right Arrow keys to switch the selected language as required If a language is inadvertently selected press the following key sequence to access the language screen Soft Key...

Page 106: ...w keys Use the Left Right Arrow keys to adjust as follows Yellow 40 to 100dB Red 80 to 140dB Red values cannot be set lower than Yellow values and any value below what is set for Yellow will be displa...

Page 107: ...e USB Drive will be displayed Press Soft Key 1 labelled OK or wait 5 seconds to activate the USB Drive or press Soft Key 2 labelled Disable to power the unit via USB only The dBAir instrument will ope...

Page 108: ...Down Arrow keys to adjust the value Use the OK key or the Left Right Arrow keys to move forward or back Press the OK key to enter to register the code You can upgrade your dBAir sound level meter rem...

Page 109: ...0 and 114 5 dB in 0 1 dB steps Include both atmospheric pressure and microphone dependant pressure to free field corrections in the Cal Value Ensure the calibrator is attached to the microphone by ge...

Page 110: ...then you will be shown the following If the calibration is not successful then you will be shown the following Please ensure your calibrator is switched on giving the correct output level and that yo...

Page 111: ...ave only one purpose and this is to indicate any drift in your calibrations Scroll the calibration history using the Arrow keys as required Calibration History cannot be disabled or deleted Send Histo...

Page 112: ...OK key or the Left Right Arrow keys to toggle the selection Calibration Reminder Enable to show if the dBAir instrument has a valid calibration and when the next factory calibration is due Calibrate...

Page 113: ...nly ever available for Measurement 1 Scroll the available measurement screens using the Up or Down Arrow keys Measurements Your dBAir instrument will always start showing the Measurement Screen shown...

Page 114: ...on either Measurement 1 or 2 To disable or enable the parameters available on the Measurements Screen see Results Selection in the Measurement Setup menu Only parameters specific to the model of dBAi...

Page 115: ...he Measurement Table is available for all models of the dBAir To disable or enable the parameters available on the Measurements Table Screen see Results Only parameters specific to the model of dBAir...

Page 116: ...lculated Measurements To comply with legislation for various countries the instrument can be set to EU settings as shown above or OSHA settings as shown below Custom settings may also be set see Expos...

Page 117: ...The Percentiles LN screen is only available for dBAir sound level meters fitted with this option Percentiles can be turned Off and the percentile level changed See Percentiles LN in Measurement Setup...

Page 118: ...only available for dBAir sound level meters fitted with this option and only calculated from Measurement 1 Lden parameters can be turned Off and the times and penalties amended See Lden in Measuremen...

Page 119: ...lating the parameter and then use the Left or Right Arrow keys to scroll the available parameters Press Soft Key 2 to swap between the parameter selection and frequency bands When the 1 1 octave bands...

Page 120: ...lating the parameter and then use the Left or Right Arrow keys to scroll the available parameters Press Soft Key 2 to swap between the parameter selection and frequency bands When the 1 3 octave bands...

Page 121: ...12V 22Ah Lithium Battery 01KA023BATT Microphone Extension Cable 1 to 10m ZL141 SOx USB Cable 1m A to micro B ZL1109 01 USB Wall Plug UK PSU6 Rubber Protective Sleeve Blue dB001B Rubber Protective Slee...

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