Technical term needed
 

What is the name for the electronic device that measures decibel levels?

Steve

SteveB wrote:

What is the name for the electronic device that measures decibel levels?

Steve



A decibel meter, aka db meter. Said to be "about $50 on ebay" but not by me.

GWE

It's a sound pressure meter

SteveB wrote:
What is the name for the electronic device that measures decibel levels?

Steve

"SteveB" wrote in message
news:OTrWd.161$qf7.129@fed1read03...
What is the name for the electronic device that measures decibel levels?

Steve



This is not a question with an easy answer. The decibel is a relative
measure, i.e., it is the ratio of two power levels expressed as a logrithm
(dB = 10 log P1/P2). Sometimes, sound levels are measured in decibels
referenced to the threshold of audibility. Commonly, radio frequency power
is expressed in decibels referenced to a milliwatt (dBm) or to a watt (dBW).
Antenna gain is expressed in dB referenced to the performance of an
isotropic antenna. If the impedences are constant, since P = E squared /
Z, decibels can express the ratio of two voltages (dB = 20 log E1/E2).
Hence, the signal level into a receiver is often expressed as decibels
referenced to a microvolt (dBuv). The list goes on and on...

And a wide variety of instruments are used to make the various measurements.

Jerry

"SteveB" wrote: What is the name for the electronic device that measures
decibel levels?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The commonly used term that I know is "sound level meter."

On Sat, 5 Mar 2005 16:10:26 -0800, the inscrutable "SteveB"
spake:

What is the name for the electronic device that measures decibel levels?

Those at Rat Shack are called "sound level meters".


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Nice answer to an indepth question, Jerry.

Bob Swinney
"Jerry Foster" wrote in message
om...

"SteveB" wrote in message
news:OTrWd.161$qf7.129@fed1read03...
What is the name for the electronic device that measures decibel levels?

Steve



This is not a question with an easy answer. The decibel is a relative
measure, i.e., it is the ratio of two power levels expressed as a logrithm
(dB = 10 log P1/P2). Sometimes, sound levels are measured in decibels
referenced to the threshold of audibility. Commonly, radio frequency
power
is expressed in decibels referenced to a milliwatt (dBm) or to a watt
(dBW).
Antenna gain is expressed in dB referenced to the performance of an
isotropic antenna. If the impedences are constant, since P = E squared
/
Z, decibels can express the ratio of two voltages (dB = 20 log E1/E2).
Hence, the signal level into a receiver is often expressed as decibels
referenced to a microvolt (dBuv). The list goes on and on...

And a wide variety of instruments are used to make the various
measurements.

Jerry

SteveB wrote:
What is the name for the electronic device that measures decibel levels?

Steve


Sonometer?

--
Gary Brady
Austin, TX
www.powdercoatoven.4t.com

WHAT????



"SteveB" wrote in message
news:OTrWd.161$qf7.129@fed1read03...
What is the name for the electronic device that measures decibel levels?

Steve

"Tom Gardner" wrote: WHAT????
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Well, then how about "belweather?"

In article , Jerry Foster
says...

And a wide variety of instruments are used to make the various measurements.

It's true you could use a yardstick and measure two distances,
so it would be 20log(10)d1/d2 to give distance, say, measured
in dB form. Or weight, with a scale. Or a simpson meter
measuring some dc voltage.

But I think he was probably after a 'sound power level meter'
even though he didn't come right out and say 'sound' in
his question. :^)

Jim


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Grant Erwin wrote:

SteveB wrote:

What is the name for the electronic device that measures decibel levels?

Steve


A decibel meter, aka db meter. Said to be "about $50 on ebay" but not by
me.

GWE
Are you measuring voltage or sound ? - db is a measurement of 'pressure'...
dbA

Be sure you know what type you are looking for.

Martin

--
Martin Eastburn, Barbara Eastburn
@ home at Lion's Lair with our computer
NRA LOH, NRA Life
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder

SPL meter. (stands for Sound Pressure Level Meter)

They come in all sorts and functions. As cheap and limited as Radioshack
meters with just A and C weighting, or as expensive as as Bruel & Kjers or
Terrasondes with direct reference to ANSI standards, frequency bands, time
measurement options, interchangeable microphones, etc....

If you are a neofite and just need an approximate reading, the Radioshack
will do fine. If you need something that will hold up in court then hire an
acoustician. He/she will come equipped with appropriate measurement system.

cheers
T. Alan

"SteveB" wrote in message
news:OTrWd.161$qf7.129@fed1read03...
What is the name for the electronic device that measures decibel levels?

Steve