Frequency Weightings
- A-Weighted, C-Weighted or Z-Weighted?
The human ear responds more to frequencies between 500 Hz and 8 kHz
and is less sensitive to very low-pitch or high-pitch noises. The frequency
weightings used in sound level meters are often related to the
response of the human ear, to ensure that the meter is measuring pretty
much what you actually hear.
It is extremely important that sound level measurements are made using
the correct frequency weighting - usually A-weighting. For example,
measuring a tonal noise of around 31 Hz could result in a 40 dB error
if using C-weighting instead of A-weighting.
A Weighting
The most common weighting that is used in noise measurement
is A-Weighting. Like the human ear,
this effectively cuts off the lower and higher frequencies that
the average person cannot hear.
Defined in the sound level meter standards (IEC 60651, IEC 60804,
IEC 61672, ANSI S1.4), a graph of the frequency response can be
seen to the right.
A-weighted measurements are expressed as dBA or dB(A). |
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C Weighting
The response of the human ear varies with the sound level. At
higher levels, 100 dB and above, the ear's response is flatter, as
shown in the C-Weighted Response to the right.
Although the A-Weighted response is used for most applications,
C-Weighting is also available on many sound level meters. C Weighting
is usually used for Peak measurements and also in some entertainment
noise measurement, where the transmission of bass noise can be
a problem.
C-weighted measurements are expressed as dBC or dB(C). |
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Z Weighting
Z-weighting is a flat frequency response of 10Hz to 20kHz ±1.5dB.
This response replaces the older "Linear" or "Unweighted" responses
as these did not define the frequency range over which the meter
would be linear.
Z-weighted measurements are expressed as dBZ or dB(Z). |
< Acoustic Terms Index
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