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4

Features

Wide Sound-Measuring Abilities  —
measures from 50 dB to 126 dB SPL with
seven ranges.

Average or Maximum Sound Level Dis-
play
 — continuously shows the average
or maximum sound level: per second with
digits, per 0.2 or 0.5 seconds with the bar-
graph.

Tripod Ready — lets you attach the
meter to a tripod (

1

/

4

-inch) for more accu-

rate sound measurements.

Date Hold — lets you freeze a measure-
ment on the display.

Integrated Averaging — measures the
integrated average, and holds the maxi-
mum and minimum sound levels for a pre-
set period.

Underrange and Overrange Indicators
— show you when the sound level reading
is under or over the selected range.

A and C Weighting — lets you select ei-
ther type of weighting to suit the purpose
of the measurement.

Selectable Bargraph Response — lets
you select a slow (0.5 second) or fast (0.2
second) bargraph response.

Summary of Contents for 33-2055A

Page 1: ...Owner s Manual Please read before using this equipment Digital Sound Level Meter ...

Page 2: ...ndications 12 Underrange Indication 13 Overrange Indication 14 Using Data Hold 15 Making an Integrated Average Measurement 16 Making Maximum and Minimum Measurements During an Undetermined Time Period 19 Checking Stereo System Acoustics 20 Calibrating the Meter 20 Care 21 Specifications 22 2000 RadioShack Corporation All Rights Reserved RadioShack and RadioShack com are trademarks used by RadioSha...

Page 3: ...he meter is light weight and easy to operate Note This meter should be used for home hobbyist use only This meter does not meet the requirements set forth by the American National Stan dards Institute ANSI Standard S1 4 Your meter also has these features 3 Digit Liquid Crystal Display makes it easy to read sound measurements 21 Dot Analog Bargraph gives you a visual representation of the measured ...

Page 4: ...ore accu rate sound measurements Date Hold lets you freeze a measure ment on the display Integrated Averaging measures the integrated average and holds the maxi mum and minimum sound levels for a pre set period Underrange and Overrange Indicators show you when the sound level reading is under or over the selected range A and C Weighting lets you select ei ther type of weighting to suit the purpose...

Page 5: ...ent 9 Volt Battery Operation lets you power the meter with a 9 volt battery Phono Output Jack lets you connect the meter to your stereo system or test equipment Low Battery Indicator shows you when the battery needs to be replaced ˆInstallingthe Battery The meter requires one 9 volt battery for operation For the best operation and longest life we recommend RadioShack alkaline batteries Follow thes...

Page 6: ...y as indicated by the diagram marked in the compartment Place the battery over the red ribbon to make it easy to remove the battery later 4 Replace the battery compartment cover Notes When you are not using the meter set RANGE to OFF If you will not use the meter for a week or more remove the battery When the battery becomes low BATT appears on the display ...

Page 7: ... Making Measurements SETTING THE SOUND RANGE The meter can measure sound levels within seven different ranges Each range covers 20 dB The number of each range represents the center of the range For ex ample if you set RANGE to 70 the meter measures sound levels from 60 to 80 dB ...

Page 8: ...s on Page 12 Notes If you set RANGE to 120 the meter measures sound levels from 110 dB to 126 dB If you change the range setting during a measurement you clear all the cur rent data and a normal continuous measurement resumes SETTING THE WEIGHTING WEIGHTING lets you set the meter s weighting characteristics which deter mine the meter s frequency response curve You can select A weighting or C weigh...

Page 9: ...10 000 Hz range Select C weighting to measure sound levels of mu sical material When you set RANGE to OFF the meter automatically selects C weighting Press WEIGHTING to change the weight ing between A and C The display shows the current setting WEIGHTING A or WEIGHTING C Note You can change the weighting set ting only during a continuous average or maximum measurement SETTING THE RESPONSE RESPONSE...

Page 10: ...ange the bar graph s response between fast and slow The display shows the selected setting RESPONSE SLOW or RESPONSE FAST Note You can change the response set ting only during a continuous average or maximum measurement MAKING NORMAL MEASUREMENTS Follow these steps to measure the aver age sound level 1 Set RANGE for the desired sound range If you do not know the sound level start at the highest ra...

Page 11: ...hold the meter to one side and point its microphone at the sound source The meter begins to display the con tinuous average sound level This is the average sound level during a 1 second sampling period which the meter updates once per second The bargraph shows the continuous aver age for either a 0 2 second or 0 5 second period depending on the response setting When you complete a measurement set ...

Page 12: ... the maximum level of every 0 2 or 0 5 sec onds The bargraph segment that corre sponds to the peak reading stays on the display for 2 seconds or until the meter measures a higher maximum level Press MAX again to cancel the continu ous maximum measurement and resume a normal continuous average measure ment LEVEL INDICATIONS The meter displays the sound level using numbers and a bar graph The number...

Page 13: ...n to 10 dB below the selected range The points to the right of the cen ter indicate measurements greater than the center level up to 10 dB above the selected range The bargraph updates every 0 2 or 0 5 seconds depending on the response set ting See Setting the Response on Page 9 Underrange Indication When the measured sound level is lower than the lowest sound level of the select ed range LO appea...

Page 14: ... than the highest sound level of the select ed range except for the 120 dB range the bargraph and digits that represent the next higher range flash on the display For example if the meter measures 91 dB in the 80 dB range 90 and the bargraph flash If the meter measures more than 126 dB in the 120 dB range 126 and the bargaph flash ...

Page 15: ...See Using Data Hold The meter cannot measure sound levels lower than 50 dB or higher than 126 dB USING DATA HOLD The data hold function lets you store the current measurements in memory and freeze a measurements on the display The meter stores the continuous average the maximum and the minimum sound levels for the last 1 second To store the current measurements press DH during a continuous average...

Page 16: ...turn to the average measurement Press RESET to return to a continuous av erage or maximum measurement Notes You cannot change the response and weighting settings during data hold When you set RANGE to a different range during data hold you cancel the function and return to a continu ous measurement MAKING AN INTEGRATED AVERAGE MEASUREMENT Follow these steps to monitor the sound level and average t...

Page 17: ...X or MIN to set the desired measuring period from 1 to 199 seconds 3 Position the meter for the measure ment 4 Press RESET to start the monitoring The meter measures the integrated aver age maximum and minimum sound lev els for the set time The meter updates the current integrated average display every second and MIN and MAX flash until the set time ends When the set time ends DH appears and MIN a...

Page 18: ...o display the minimum sound level for the set time Press MIN again to return to the total integrated average sound level Press RESET after you check the integrat ed average sound level and the maximum or minimum sound level The meter re sumes a continuous average measure ment Note If you change the RANGE setting during an integrated measurement you clear any stored data and a normal contin uous av...

Page 19: ... mea surement At the end of the desired time period press DH DH appears To display the maximum sound level dur ing the time period press MAX if both MIN and MAX flash on the display and the last average sound level appears Press MAX again to return to the average sound level Note If only MIN flashes on the display the meter is already showing the maxi mum sound level during the time period Press M...

Page 20: ...ls that span the entire audio spectrum Use C weighting with either slow or fast response Make a graph or table that shows the sound level each tone generates This gives you a clear idea of the frequency re sponse of the total audio system includ ing the room To smooth out the response adjust the tone control vary the speaker placement and use a frequency equalizer CALIBRATING THE METER The recesse...

Page 21: ...p the meter dry If it gets wet wipe it dry immediately Liquids might contain minerals that can corrode electronic circuits Use and store the meter only in nor mal temperature environments Tem perature extremes can shorten the life of electronic devices and distort or melt plastic parts Handle the meter gently and care fully Dropping it can damage the cir cuit boards and cause the meter to work imp...

Page 22: ... or weak battery It can leak chemicals that destroy electronic circuits ˆ Specifications Battery 9 voltAlkaline Microphone Electret Condenser Range 50 dB to 126 dB Accuracy 2 dB at 114 dB SPL Reference 0 dB 0 0002 Micro Bar Weighting A and C Display Response Fast and Slow Signal Output Voltage 1 Volt Peak Peak Min Open Circuit Full Scale at 1 kHz Impedance 10 Kilohms Min Load Distortion Less than ...

Page 23: ...23 Specifications Operating Temperature 32 F to 122 F Storage Temperature 40 F to 149 F Dimensions HxWxD 6 2 1 Inches 159 64 44 mm Weight 5 8oz 165 g Approx ...

Page 24: ...t during the warranty period take the prod uct and the RadioShack sales receipt as proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store RadioShack will at its option unless otherwise pro vided by law a correct the defect by product repair without charge for parts and labor b replace the product with one of the same or similar design or c refund the purchase price All replaced parts and products and prod...

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