BRITISH STANDARD BS EN ISO

3743-1:1995
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Acoustics —
Determination of sound
power levels of noise
sources —
Engineering methods
for small, movable
sources in reverberant
fields —
Part 1: Comparison for hard-walled test
rooms
BS EN ISO 3743-1:1995

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Environment

and Pollution Standards Policy Committee (EPC/-) to Technical Committee
EPC/1, upon which the following bodies were represented:

Association of Consulting Engineers

British Broadcasting Corporation
British Occupational Hygiene Society
British Telecommunications plc
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)
Department of Trade and Industry (National Physical Laboratory)
Health and Safety Executive
Institute of Acoustics
Institute of Occupational Hygienists
Institute of Sound and Vibration Research
Institution of Electrical Engineers
Royal Institute of British Architects
Society of Environmental Engineers

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Environment
and Pollution Standards
Policy Committee, was
published under the authority
of the Standards Board and Amendments issued since publication
comes into effect on
15 August 1994
Amd. No. Date Comments
© BSI 03-2000
8937 December Indicating by a sideline in the margin
1995
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference EPC/1
Draft for comment 90/56051 DC

ISBN 0 580 23404 5

 BS EN ISO 3743-1:1995

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
Foreword iii
Text of ISO 3743-1 1

© BSI 03-2000 i
BS EN ISO 3743-1:1995

National foreword

This British Standard reproduces verbatim ISO 3743-1:1994 and implements it

as the UK national standard.
In 1995 the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) accepted
ISO 3743-1:1994 as European Standard EN ISO 3743-1:1995. As a consequence
of implementing the European Standard this British Standard is renumbered as
BS EN ISO 3743-1 and any reference to BS ISO 3743-1 should be read as a
reference to BS EN ISO 3743-1.
This British Standard is published under the direction of the Environment and
Pollution Standards Policy Committee whose Technical Committee EPC/1 has
the responsibility to:
— aid enquirers to understand the text;
— present to the responsible international committee any enquiries on
interpretation, or proposals for change, and keep UK interests informed;
— monitor related international and European developments and promulgate
them in the UK.
NOTE International and European Standards, as well as overseas standards, are available from
Customer Services, Publications, BSI, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes, MK14 6LE.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN ISO title page, page 2, the ISO title page, pages ii to iv, pages 1 to 12,
an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

ii © BSI 03-2000
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN ISO 3743-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
June 1995
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

ICS 17.140.10

Descriptors: Acoustics, noise (sound), sound sources, tests, acoustic tests, determination sound power, comparison analysis

English version

Acoustics — Determination of sound power levels of noise

sources — Engineering methods for small, movable sources
in reverberant fields — Part 1: Comparison method for
hard-walled test rooms
(ISO 3743-1:1994)

Acoustique — Détermination des niveaux de Akustik — Bestimmung der

puissance acoustique émis par les sources de Schalleistungspegel von Geräuschquellen —
bruit — Méthodes d’expertise en champ Verfahren der Genauigkeitsklasse 2 für kleine,
réverbéré applicables aux petites sources transportable Quellen in Hallfeldern —
transportables — Partie 1: Méthode par Teil 1: Vergleichsverfahren in Prüfräumen mit
comparaison en salle d’essai à parois dures schallharten Wänden
(ISO 3743-1:1994) (ISO 3743-1:1994)

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1995-03-22. CEN members

are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a
national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French,
German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels

© 1995 All rights of reproduction and communication in any form and by any means reserved in all
countries to CEN and its members.
Ref. No. EN ISO 3743-1:1995 E
EN ISO 3743-1:1995

Foreword
The text of the International Standard has been
taken as a European Standard by the Technical
Committee CEN/TC 211, Acoustics, from
ISO/TC 43, Acoustics, of the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO).
This European Standard shall be given the status of
a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by
December 1995, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by December 1995.
This European Standard has been prepared under a
mandate given to CEN by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade
Association, and supports essential requirements of
EC Directive(s).
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal
Regulations, the following countries are bound to
implement this European Standard: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

2 © BSI 03-2000
ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

Contents
Page
Foreword iii
Introduction 1
1 Scope 3
2 Normative references 4
3 Definitions 4
4 Requirements for hard-walled test room 6
5 Instrumentation 7
6 Installation and operation of source under test 7
7 Measurements in test room 8
8 Calculation of sound power levels 10
9 Information to be recorded 10
10 Information to be reported 11
Annex A (informative) Bibliography 12
Annex ZA (normative) Normative references to international
publications with their relevant European publications Inside back cover
Table 0.1 — International Standards specifying various methods
for determining the sound power levels of machines and equipment 2
Table 1 — Estimated values of the standard deviation of reproducibility of
sound power levels determined in accordance with this part of ISO 3743 3
Table 2 — Acceptable and unacceptable rooms 6
Table 3 — Required number of source locations 9
Table 4 — A-weighting values, Ai 10

ii © BSI 03-2000
 ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide
federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of
preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical
committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that
committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental,
in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are
circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International
Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
International Standard ISO 3743-1 was prepared by Technical Committee
ISO/TC 43, Acoustics, Sub-Committee SC 1, Noise.
ISO 3743 consists of the following parts, under the general title Acoustics —
Determination of sound power levels of noise sources — Engineering methods for
small, movable sources in reverberant fields:
— Part 1: Comparison method for hard-walled test rooms;
— Part 2: Methods for special reverberation test rooms.
Part 2 is a revision of ISO 3743:1988.
Annex A of this part of ISO 3743 is for information only.

© BSI 03-2000 iii

iv blank
 ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

Introduction 0.4 In ISO 3743-2, the comparison method can also

be used, but an alternative method permits the
0.1 ISO 3743 is one of the ISO 3740 series, which
determination of the A-weighted sound power level
specifies various methods for determining the sound
of the source under test from a single A-weighted
power levels of machines, equipment and their
sound pressure level measurement at each
sub-assemblies. These basic standards specify the microphone position, rather than from a summation
acoustical requirements for measurements of octave-band levels. This direct method eliminates
appropriate for different test environments as
the need for a reference sound source, but requires
shown in Table 0.1. When selecting one of the
the use of a special reverberation test room. The
methods of the ISO 3740 series, it is necessary to
direct method is based on the premise that the
select the most appropriate for the conditions and
sound pressure level, averaged in space and time in
purposes of the noise test. General guidelines to the test room, can be used to determine the sound
assist in the selection are provided in ISO 3740. The power level emitted by the source. The properties of
ISO 3740 series gives only general principles
the special reverberation test room are chosen so
regarding the operating and mounting conditions of
that the room’s influence on the sound power output
the machine or equipment under test. Reference
of the equipment under test is small. The number of
should be made to the noise test code for a specific
microphone positions and source locations required
type of machine or equipment, if available, for in the test room are specified.
specifications on mounting and operating
conditions. The requirements to be fulfilled by the special
reverberation test room for measurements in
0.2 The method given in this part of ISO 3743
accordance with the method given in ISO 3743-2 are
enables measurement of sound pressure levels in
significantly more restrictive than those placed on
octave bands at prescribed fixed microphone
the hard-walled test room by the comparison
positions or along prescribed paths. A comparison method given in this part of ISO 3743.
method is used which allows determination of sound
power levels in octave bands; A-weighted sound
power levels may be calculated from the
octave-band sound power levels. Quantities which
cannot be determined are the directivity
characteristics of the source and the temporal
pattern of noise radiated by sources emitting
non-steady noise.
0.3 Parts 1 and 2 of ISO 3743 specify engineering
methods for determining the A-weighted and
octave-band sound power levels of small noise
sources. The methods are applicable to small
machines, devices, components and sub-assemblies
which can be installed in a hard-walled test room
with prescribed acoustical characteristics or in a
special reverberation test room. The methods are
particularly suitable for small items of portable
equipment; they are not intended for larger pieces of
stationary equipment which, due to their manner of
operation or installation, cannot readily be moved
into the test room and operated as in normal usage.
The procedures are intended to be used when an
engineering grade of accuracy is desired without
requiring the use of laboratory facilities.

© BSI 03-2000 1
 Table 0.1 — International Standards specifying various methods for determining the sound power levels of machines and
2

ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

equipment
International Classification Sound power levels Optional information
Test environment Volume of source Character of noise
Standard of methoda obtainable available

Steady,
3741
Reverberation room broad-band
Precision In one-third-octave A-weighted sound
meeting specified Steady, discrete
(grade 1) Preferably less or octave bands power level
3742 requirements frequency or
than 1 % of test narrow-band
room volume
3743-1 Hard-walled test room Steady, broad-band,
Engineering A-weighted and in Other weighted sound
Special reverberation narrow-band, or discrete
3743-2 (grade 2) octave bands power levels
test room frequency
Greatest
Engineering Outdoors or in large Directivity information
3744 dimension less Any
(grade 2) room A-weighted and in and sound pressure
than 15 m
one-third-octave or levels as a function of
Preferably less octave bands time; other weighted
Precision Anechoic or
3745 than 0,5 % of test Any sound power levels
(grade 1) semi-anechoic room
room volume
No restrictions; Sound pressure levels
Survey No special test limited only by as a function of time;
3746 Any A-weighted
(grade 3) environment available test other weighted sound
environment power levels
No special test
Steady, broad-band,
Survey environment; source Sound power levels in
3747 No restrictions narrow-band, or discrete A-weighted
(grade 3) under test not octave bands
frequency
movable
a
See ISO 2204.
© BSI 03-2000
 ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

1 Scope If a particular noise source were to be transported to

each of a number of different laboratories, and if, at
1.1 General
each laboratory, the sound power level of that source
This part of ISO 3743 specifies a relatively simple were to be determined in accordance with this part
engineering method for determining the sound of ISO 3743, the results would show a scatter. The
power levels of small, movable noise sources. The standard deviation of the measured levels could be
measurements are carried out when the source is calculated (see examples in ISO 7574-4:1985,
installed in a hard-walled test room. A comparison Annex B) and would vary with frequency. With few
method is used to determine to the octave-band exceptions, these standard deviations would not
sound power levels of the source. The spatial exceed those listed in Table 1. The values given
average (octave-band) sound pressure levels in Table 1 are standard deviations of
produced by the source under test are compared to reproducibility, ÖR, as defined in ISO 7574-1. The
the spatial average (octave-band) sound pressure values of Table 1 take into account the cumulative
levels produced by a reference sound source of effects of measurement uncertainty in applying the
known sound power output. The difference in sound procedures of this part of ISO 3743, but exclude
pressure levels is equal to the difference in sound variations in the sound power output caused by
power levels if conditions are the same for both sets changes in operating conditions (e.g. rotational
of measurements. The A-weighted sound power speed, line voltage) or mounting conditions.
level is then calculated from the octave-band sound The measurement uncertainty depends on the
power levels. standard deviation of reproducibility tabulated
NOTE 1 Precision methods for the determination of sound in Table 1 and on the degree of confidence that is
power levels of small noise sources are specified in ISO 3741 and
ISO 3745.
desired. As examples, for a normal distribution of
sound power levels, there is a 90 % confidence that
1.2 Types of noise the true value of the sound power level of a source
The method specified in this part of ISO 3743 is lies within the range ± 1,645 ÖR of the measured
suitable for measurements of all types of noise value and a 95 % confidence that it lies within the
within a specified frequency range, except range ± 1,96 ÖR of the measured value. For further
intermittent noise consisting of isolated bursts of examples, reference should be made to the ISO 7574
sound energy. and ISO 9296 series.
NOTE 2 A classification of different types of noise is given in Table 1 — Estimated values of the standard
ISO 2204.
deviation of reproducibility of sound power
NOTE 3 For sources of intermittent noise consisting of
short-duration noise bursts, the free-field methods specified in levels determined in accordance with this
ISO 3744 and ISO 3745 should be used. part of ISO 3743
1.3 Noise source Octave-band centre Standard deviation of
frequency reproducibility, ÖR
The noise source may be a device, machine,
Hz dB
component or sub-assembly.
125 3,0
The maximum size of the source under test depends
upon the size of the room used for the acoustical 250 2,0
measurements. (See also 4.1). 500 to 4 000 1,5
1.4 Measurement uncertainty 8 000 2,5
A-weighted 1,5a
Determinations made in accordance with this part
a
of ISO 3743 result, with few exceptions, in standard Applicable to a source which emits noise with a relatively
“flat” spectrum in the frequency range 100 Hz to 10 000 Hz.
deviations of reproducibility of the A-weighted
sound power level equal to or less than 1,5 dB NOTE 4 The standard deviations listed in Table 1 are
(see Table 1). associated with the test conditions and procedures defined in this
part of ISO 3743, and not with the noise source itself. They arise
A single value of the sound power level of a noise partly from variations between measurement laboratories in the
source determined according to the procedures of geometry of the test room, the acoustical properties of the test
this part of ISO 3743 is likely to differ from the true room boundaries, background noise, the type and calibration of
instrumentation, and the reference sound source. They are also
value by an amount within the range of the due to variations in experimental measurement techniques,
measurement uncertainty. The uncertainty in including microphone placement and spatial averaging, location
determinations of the sound power level arises from of source under test, integration times, and measurement of
several factors which affect the results, some reverberation time.
NOTE 5 If several laboratories use similar facilities and
associated with environmental conditions in the instrumentation, the results of sound power determinations on a
measurement laboratory and others with given source in those laboratories may be in better agreement
experimental techniques. than would be implied by the standard deviations given in
Table 1.

© BSI 03-2000 3
ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

NOTE 6 For a particular family of sound sources, of similar size ISO 7574-1:1985, Acoustics — Statistical methods
with similar sound power spectra and similar operating for determining and verifying stated noise emission
conditions, the standard deviations of reproducibility may be
smaller than the values given in Table 1. Hence, a noise test code values of machinery and equipment —
for a particular type of machinery or equipment making reference Part 1: General considerations and definitions.
to this part of ISO 3743 may state standard deviations smaller
than those listed in Table 1 if sub-stantiation is available from ISO 7574-4:1985, Acoustics — Statistical methods
the results of suitable interlaboratory tests. for determining and verifying stated noise emission
NOTE 7 The standard deviation of reproducibility, as tabulated values of machinery and equipment —
in Table 1, includes the uncertainty associated with repeated Part 4: Methods for stated values for batches of
measurements on the same noise source under the same
conditions (for standard deviation of repeatability, machines.
see ISO 7574-1). This uncertainty is usually much smaller than IEC 225:1966, Octave, half-octave and third-octave
the uncertainty associated with interlaboratory variability.
However, if it is difficult to maintain stable operating or
band filters intended for the analysis of sounds and
mounting conditions for a particular source, the standard vibrations.
deviation of repeatability may not be small compared with the IEC 651:1979, Sound level meters.
values given in Table 1. In such cases, the fact that it was difficult
to obtain repeatable sound power level data on the source should IEC 804:1985, Integrating-averaging sound level
be recorded and stated in the test report. meters.
NOTE 8 The procedures of this part of ISO 3743 and the
standard deviations given in Table 1 are applicable to IEC 942:1988, Sound calibrators.
measurements on an individual machine. Characterization of the
sound power levels of batches of machines of the same family or 3 Definitions
type involves the use of random sampling techniques in which
confidence intervals are specified, and the results are expressed For the purposes of this part of ISO 3743, the
in terms of statistical upper limits. In applying these techniques, following definitions apply.
the total standard deviation must be known or estimated,
including the standard deviation of production, as defined in 3.1
ISO 7574-1, which is a measure of the variation in sound power sound pressure, p
output between individual machines within the batch. Statistical
methods for the characterization of batches of machines are a fluctuating pressure superimposed on the static
described in ISO 7574-4. pressure by the presence of sound. It is expressed in
pascals
2 Normative references
NOTE 9 The magnitude of the sound pressure can be expressed
The following standards contain provisions which, in several ways, such as instantaneous sound pressure or
through reference in this text, constitute provisions maximum sound pressure, but, in this part of ISO 3743 the term
defines the sound pressure averaged on a mean-square basis
of this part of ISO 3743. At the time of publication, (square root of the time average of the squared value) in time,
the editions indicated were valid. All standards are and in space (i.e. over all microphone positions).
subject to revision, and parties to agreements based 3.2
on this part of ISO 3743 are encouraged to sound pressure level, Lp
investigate the possibility of applying the most
recent editions of the standards indicated below. ten times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of
Members of IEC and ISO maintain registers of the square of the sound pressure to the square of the
currently valid International Standards. reference sound pressure. Sound pressure levels are
expressed in decibels. The reference sound pressure
ISO 2204:1979, Acoustics — Guide to International is 20 4Pa (2 × 410–5 Pa)
Standards on the measurement of airborne
acoustical noise and evaluation of its effects on the frequency weighting or the width of the
human beings. frequency band used and the time weighting (S, F or
I, see IEC 651) shall be indicated
ISO 3744:1994, Acoustics — Determination of sound
NOTE 10 For example, the A-weighted sound pressure level
power levels of noise sources using sound pressure — with time weighting S is LpAS.
Engineering method in an essentially free field over
a reflecting plane.
ISO 3745:1977, Acoustics — Determination of sound
power levels of noise sources — Precision methods for
anechoic and semi-anechoic rooms.
ISO 6926:1990, Acoustics — Determination of sound
power levels of noise sources — Requirements for the
performance and calibration of reference sound
sources.

4 © BSI 03-2000
 ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

3.3 NOTE 14 For special purposes, the frequency range of interest

time-averaged sound pressure level, Lpeq,T may be extended or reduced, but this places additional
requirements on the characteristics of the test room which are
sound pressure level of a continuous steady sound not described in this part of ISO 3743.
that, within a measurement time interval, T, has 3.9
the same mean square sound pressure as a sound reference sound source (RSS)
under consideration which varies with time
stable sound source emitting steady, broad-band
noise with adequate sound power over a wide
frequency range, calibrated in accordance with
ISO 6926. The sound power levels of the reference
sound source are known over the frequency range of
. . . (1) interest
3.10
time-averaged sound pressure levels are expressed reference box
in decibels and shall be measured with an hypothetical surface which is the smallest
instrument which complies with the requirements rectangular parallelepiped that just encloses the
of IEC 804 source under test and terminates on the floor of the
NOTE 11 Time-averaged sound pressure levels are usually test room
A-weighted and denoted by LpAeq,T which is usually abbreviated NOTE 15 Small individual components of the source which do
to LPA. not contribute to its sound radiation may lie outside the reference
NOTE 12 In general, the subscripts “eq” and “T” are omitted box.
since time-averaged sound pressure levels are necessarily
determined over a certain measurement time interval. 3.11
comparison method
3.4
sound power, W that method in which the sound power level of a
source under test is determined by comparing the
the rate per unit time at which sound energy is
averaged value (on a mean-square basis) of the
radiated by a source. It is expressed in watts
sound pressure levels produced by the source in the
3.5 test room to the averaged value of the sound
sound power level, LW pressure levels produced in the same room by a
ten times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio reference sound source of known sound power
of the sound power radiated by the source under output. The difference in sound pressure levels is
test to the reference sound power. It is expressed equal to the difference in sound power levels when
in decibels. The reference sound power conditions are the same for both sets of
is 1 pW (10–12 W) measurements
the frequency weighting or the width of the 3.12
frequency band used shall be indicated direct method
NOTE 13 For example, the A-weighted sound power level is that method in which the sound power level of a
LWA.
source under test is determined from the averaged
3.6 value (on a mean-square basis) of the sound
reverberant sound field pressure levels produced by the source in the test
that portion of the sound field in the test room over room, the reverberation time, and the volume of the
which the contribution of the sound received test room
directly from the source is negligible compared to 3.13
the sound reflected from the boundaries of the room background noise
and from objects within the room
noise from all sources other than the source under
3.7 test
hard-walled test room NOTE 16 Background noise may include contributions from
room in which the acoustical reflectivity of all room airborne sound, structure-borne vibration, and electrical noise in
instrumentation.
surfaces (including floor and ceiling) is high over the
frequency range of interest 3.14
background noise level
3.8
frequency range of interest sound pressure level measured in the test room
when the source under test is not operating. It is
for general purposes, the frequency range of interest expressed in decibels
includes the octave bands with midband frequencies
from 125 Hz to 8 000 Hz, i.e. from the lower cut-off
of the 125 Hz band (90 Hz) to the upper cut-off of
the 8 000 Hz band (11 200 Hz)
© BSI 03-2000 5
ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

3.15 4.2 Acoustical properties of test room

sound absorption coefficient A hard-walled room shall be used. This means that
in a specified frequency band, a measure of the the sound absorption coefficient of any portion of
absorptive property of a material or surface. Ideally, any boundary surface shall not exceed 0,20 at all
the sound absorption coefficient is the fraction of the frequencies within the frequency range of interest.
randomly incident sound power absorbed or Most ordinary, unfurnished rooms without special
otherwise not reflected acoustical treatment (e.g. acoustical ceilings and/or
3.16 absorptive wall coverings) will comply with this
highly directional sound source requirement. Table 2 may be used for guidance.
sound source with a maximum directivity index 4.3 Test of room suitability
measured in accordance with ISO 3745 which The suitability of a test room may differ from one
exceeds 15 dB source to another. The requirements for the room
are most critical when a highly directional source is
4 Requirements for hard-walled test to be evaluated. When testing the general
room suitability of a test room, the following procedure
shall be followed.
4.1 Volume of test room
A highly directional, broad-band sound source is
The volume of the test room shall be at least 40 m3, located in the test room as given in 7.2. Microphone
and at least 40 times the volume of the reference positions are chosen according to 7.4 and the
box. average (energy basis) octave-band sound pressure
In rooms with volumes between 40 m3 and 100 m3, level, Lp1, is determined (see Lp(ST) in clause 8). The
the largest dimension of the source shall not sound source is then turned 45° to 135° in
exceed 1,0 m. In rooms with volumes greater compliance with the requirement of 7.5 and the
than 100 m3, the largest dimension of the source corresponding octave-band sound pressure level,
shall not exceed 2,0 m. Lp2, is determined. This procedure is repeated twice
Table 2 — Acceptable and unacceptable rooms more to determine Lp3 and, Lp4. The fourth position
shall be within 45° to 90° of the first position. If the
Acceptable rooms Unacceptable rooms
maximum difference between the octave-band
Nearly empty rooms Rooms with upholstered sound pressure levels of any two source positions for
with smooth hard walls furniture, machinery or the frequency bands with midband frequencies
and ceiling made of industrial rooms with a between 125 Hz and 8 000 Hz does not exceed the
concrete, brick, plaster small amount of sound standard deviations of Table 1, the test room is
or tile absorptive material on considered to fulfil the requirements of this part of
ceiling or walls (for ISO 3743.
example, partially NOTE 17 As an alternative to the highly directional sound
absorptive ceiling) source, a sound source of the same type as the source under test
may be used. However, if the alternative procedure is used, the
Partly empty rooms, Rooms with some sound qualification is valid for this type of source only.
rooms with smooth hard absorptive materials on 4.4 Criterion for background noise
walls both ceiling and walls
At each microphone position, the octave-band sound
Rooms without Rooms with large pressure levels due to background noise shall be at
upholstered furniture, amounts of sound least 6 dB and preferably more than 15 dB below
rectangular machinery absorptive materials on the octave-band sound pressure levels measured
rooms or industrial either ceiling or walls with both the reference sound source and the source
rooms, no sound under test in operation.
absorptive materials on
surfaces 4.5 Temperature and humidity
Irregularly shaped For measurements according to this part of
rooms without ISO 3743, the temperature and the relative
upholstered furniture, humidity of the test room shall be controlled during
irregularly shaped the acoustical measurements and maintained at as
machinery rooms or nearly constant values as practicable. These values
industrial rooms, no shall be reported in the test report.
sound absorptive
materials on surfaces

6 © BSI 03-2000
 ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

5 Instrumentation 6.3 Source mounting

5.1 Instrumentation system In many cases, the sound power emitted will depend
upon the support or mounting conditions of the
The instrumentation system, including the
source under test. Whenever a typical condition of
microphone and cable, shall meet the requirements
mounting exists for the equipment under test, that
for a type 1 instrument specified in IEC 804.
condition shall be used or simulated, if feasible.
For measurements in octave bands, the
If a typical condition of mounting does not exist or
instrumentation system shall meet the cannot be utilized for the test, take care to avoid
requirements of IEC 225. changes in the sound output of the source caused by
5.2 Calibration the mounting system employed for the test. Take
During each series of measurements, a sound steps to reduce any sound radiation from the
calibrator with an accuracy of ± 0,3 dB (class 1 as structure on which the equipment may be mounted.
specified in IEC 942) shall be applied to the Sources normally mounted through a window, wall
microphone to verify the calibration of the entire or ceiling shall be mounted through a wall or the
measuring system at one or more frequencies over ceiling of the test room.
the frequency range of interest. Other special cases given in ISO 3744:1994, 6.3, are
The compliance of the calibrator shall be verified applicable to this part of ISO 3743.
with the requirements of IEC 942 once a year and The mounting conditions of the source and its
the compliance of the instrumentation system with associated equipment shall be described in the test
the requirements of IEC 804 shall be verified at report.
least every 2 years in a laboratory making NOTE 18 The use of resilient mounts or vibration-damping
calibrations traceable to appropriate standards. material to support the equipment under test may be
The date of the last verification of compliance with appropriate.
relevant IEC standards shall be recorded. 6.4 Auxiliary equipment
5.3 Reference sound source Take care to ensure that any electrical conduits,
The reference sound source (RSS) shall meet the piping or air ducts connected to the source under
requirements of ISO 6926 and shall be calibrated test do not radiate significant amounts of sound
annually in accordance with ISO 6926. energy into the test room. If practicable, locate all
auxiliary equipment necessary for the operation of
6 Installation and operation of source the source under test outside the test room and clear
the test room of all objects which may interfere with
under test the measurements.
6.1 General 6.5 Operation of source during the test
The manner in which the source under test is During the measurements, use the operating
installed and operated may have a significant conditions specified in the test code, if any exists for
influence on the sound power emitted by the source. the particular type of machinery or equipment
This clause specifies conditions that minimize under test. If there is no test code, operate the
variations in the sound power output due to the source, if possible, in a manner which is typical of
installation and operating conditions of the source normal use. In such a case, one or more of the
under test. The instructions of a noise test code, if following operating conditions shall be selected:
any exists, shall be followed in so far as installation
and operation of the source under test are a) device under specified load and operating
concerned. conditions;
6.2 Source location b) device under full load [if different from a)
above];
Install the source in the test room in one or more
c) device under no load (idling);
locations as if it were being installed for normal
usage. If no such location(s) can be defined, place the d) device under operating conditions
source on the floor of the test room. Additional corresponding to maximum sound generation
requirements for source location are given in 7.2. representative of normal use;
The location(s) of the source in the test room shall be e) device with simulated load operating under
described in the test report. carefully defined conditions;
f) device under operating condition with
characteristic work cycle.

© BSI 03-2000 7
ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

The method given in this part of ISO 3743 is 7.3 Location of reference sound source (RSS)
applicable for determining the sound power level of When the source under test is placed on the floor
the source under any desired set of operating more than 1 m from the walls, during the second set
conditions (i.e. temperature, humidity, device speed, of acoustical measurements place the RSS in the
etc.). These test conditions shall be selected same position as that occupied by the source under
beforehand and shall be held constant during the test during the first set of acoustical measurements.
test. The source shall be in the desired operating If, however, the source under test is closer than 1 m
condition before any acoustical measurements are to a wall, do not place the RSS at the position of the
made. source under test, but at a position on the floor 1 m
Other special cases given in ISO 3744:1994, 6.5, are from the wall.
applicable to this part of ISO 3743. 7.4 Microphone positions
The operating conditions of the source during the
At least three microphone positions shall be used.
acoustical measurements shall be described in the
The same three microphone positions (and
test report.
orientations) shall be used for measurements on the
source under test and on the RSS. If there are
7 Measurements in test room
discrete frequencies or narrow-band components in
7.1 General the spectrum of the sound emitted by the source
Carry out two sets of acoustical measurements, first under test, follow the procedure given in 7.6.
with the source under test, and then with the If practicable, all three microphone positions shall
reference sound source (RSS). Make these be in the reverberant sound field. This requires that
measurements with the sources installed and the minimum distance dmin, in metres, between the
operated in the test room. Compare the spatial sound source and the nearest microphone position
average (octave-band) sound pressure levels be not less than
produced by the source under test to the spatial
dmin = 0,3V1/3 . . . (2)
average (octave-band) sound pressure levels
produced by a reference sound source, of known where V is the room volume in cubic metres.
sound power output, which replaces the source
under test and is operated under the same test No microphone position shall be closer than 0,5 m to
conditions. The difference in the sound pressure the ceiling or to any wall of the test room.
levels obtained in the two sets of acoustical If the room is large enough, and both the conditions
measurements is equal to the difference in the for dmin and the minimum distance to the ceiling and
sound power levels of the two sources. walls are fulfilled, the number of microphone
positions shall be increased to five: one on each side
7.2 Location of source under test
of the reference box and the fifth directly above the
Unless there are contrary requirements in an reference box.
acoustical test code for the particular type of The microphone positions should be at least a
machinery or equipment under test, install the distance of a half-wavelength (i.e. Æ/2) from one
source such that the distance between any wall or another, where Æ is the wavelength of the centre
the ceiling of the test room and the reference surface frequency of the lowest octave band in the frequency
is at least 1 m. The sides of the reference box shall range of interest.
not be parallel to the walls of the room. When
NOTE 19 The use of a moving microphone traversing a path in
installing the source, consider the requirements the test room at constant speed will often be more convenient
concerning the placement of the microphones given than the use of a number of fixed microphone positions. The path
in 7.4. These usually require that the source be may be a line, an arc, a circle or some other geometric figure,
placed near the middle of a large test room so that provided the plane of the path is at least 10° out of parallel with
any room surface. Such a sweeping arrangement with a single
microphones can be placed on all four sides of the microphone may be used if the rules for multiple, fixed
source. In a small test room, place the source at one microphones are complied with. The path length of the sweep
end so that a reverberant field can be established at should be at least 5 m.
the other end of the room.
The source under test shall remain in the test room
during all acoustical measurements if its sound
absorptivity (when not in operation) affects the
sound pressure levels when the RSS is operating.
If the source under test is table-mounted or
wall-mounted, the table or wall shall be considered
to be part of the test set-up.

8 © BSI 03-2000
 ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

7.5 Special arrangement for directional For values of sM greater than 4,0 dB, acoustical
sources measurements are required at two source locations
Before any acoustical measurements are carried in another test room with different dimensions and
out, make an aural examination of the noise emitted which is in accordance with the requirements given
by the equipment under test. Give special attention in 4.3.
to sources which are noticeably directional, i.e. emit 7.7 Acoustical data to be obtained
more sound energy in one direction than in another. If a specific noise test code for the source under test
Orient such sources in such a way that the most has been published, the requirements of that test
directional sound energy is reflected at least once code shall be followed. In the absence of such a test
from a boundary surface of the room, with a code, obtain the time-averaged sound pressure level
minimum of loss, before reaching any of the in accordance with IEC 804 for each octave band
microphone positions. within the frequency range of interest. A suitable
7.6 Special arrangement for sources emitting integration time when making measurements in
narrow-band noise accordance with IEC 804 on a reference sound
Make an aural examination of the noise emitted by source (RSS) is 30 s. In the case of a moving
the equipment under test. If discrete tones and/or microphone, the integration time should include at
narrow-band noise are observed, carry out the least one full traverse of the microphone path. When
following procedure to determine if more than one the sound output of the source under test is less
source location in the test room is required. Use stable than that of the reference sound source, a
fixed microphone positions in accordance with 7.4 longer integration time is required.
and increase the number of such positions to a The following acoustical data shall be obtained:
minimum of six. a) L½pi(ST): time-averaged octave-band sound
Calculate the estimated standard deviation, sM, in pressure levels at each microphone position
decibels, for each octave band of interest from the (i = 1,2, ..., n) when the source under test is
following equation: operating under prescribed conditions (see 6.5);
b) L½pi(RSS): time-averaged octave-band sound
pressure levels at each microphone position
(i = 1, 2, ..., n) when the RSS is operating;
. . . (3) c) L¾pi(B): time-averaged octave-band sound
pressure levels at each microphone position
(i = 1, 2, ..., n) for the background noise, with
where neither the RSS nor the source under test in
operation.
Lpi is the time-averaged sound pressure level, 7.8 Corrections for background noise
in decibels, at the ith measurement position; If the levels of background noise L¾pi(B) at each
n is the number of microphone positions microphone position and in each frequency band are
(n = 6); more than 6 dB below the measured sound pressure
and levels L½pi, with either one of the sources operating,
correct the values of L½pi, for the influence of
background noise. The corrected value is given by
. . . (4)
the following equation:

Depending on the value of sM for each frequency . . . (5)

band of interest, choose the number of positions for
the source, nS, as given in Table 3.
NOTE 20 When the background noise levels are more
Table 3 — Required number of source than 15 dB below the sound pressure levels with the sources
locations operating, assume L½pi, is equal to Lpi.
sM
nS
dB

u 2,5 1
2,5 u 4,0 2 in the same room
> 4,0 2 in the same room, plus 2 in
another test room

© BSI 03-2000 9
ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

If the 6 dB criterion is not satisfied for one or more 9 Information to be recorded

octave bands, the accuracy of the measurements is
The following information, whenever applicable,
reduced and corrections are not applicable for those
shall be compiled and recorded for all
levels. The results may, however, be reported and
measurements made in accordance with the
may be useful in determining an upper boundary to
the sound power level of the source under test. If requirements of this part of ISO 3743.
such data are reported, it shall be clearly stated in 9.1 Sound source under test
the text of the report, as well as in graphs and tables a) Description of the sound source under test,
of results, that the background noise requirements including its
of this part of ISO 3743 have not been fulfilled.
— type,
8 Calculation of sound power levels — technical data,
Calculate the sound power level of the source under — dimensions,
test, Lw, in each octave band within the frequency — manufacturer,
range of interest, using the following equation: — serial number, and
L W = L W(RSS) – ( Lp(RSS) + L p ( ST ) ) . . . (6) — year of manufacture.
b) Operating conditions during test (in
where accordance with the specific test code for the
LW(RSS) is the calibrated sound power level of source, if any, or the manufacturer’s
the RSS; instructions).
is the sound pressure level of the c) Mounting conditions.
L p ( RSS )
reference source averaged (energy 9.2 Reference sound source
basis) over the microphone positions or a) Type, serial number and manufacturer of the
the microphone path; reference sound source used for comparison with
L p ( ST ) is the sound pressure level of the source the source under test.
under test averaged (energy basis) over b) Calibration values of the sound power level
the microphone positions or the LW(RSS) of the reference sound source in octave
microphone path. bands.
Then, calculate the A-weighted sound power level of c) A statement stating whether or not the RSS
the source under test from the following equation: complies with the requirements of ISO 6926.
9.3 Acoustical environment
. . . (7) a) Description of the test room, including
dimensions, treatment of walls, ceiling and floor.
b) Sketch of the test room, showing the location of
where the source and room contents.
LWi is the octave-band level, in decibels, in c) Air temperature in degrees Celsius, relative
band i; humidity as a percentage, and barometric
pressure in pascals.
Ai is the A-weighting value at the midband
frequency of band i, as given in Table 4. 9.4 Instrumentation
a) Equipment used for the acoustical
Table 4 — A-weighting values, Ai measurements, including the name, type, serial
Frequency Ai number and manufacturer.
Hz dB b) Date and place of calibration of the sound
125 – 16,1 calibrator and the instrumentation system
(see 5.2).
250 – 8,6
9.5 Acoustical data
500 – 3,2
a) The positions and orientations of the
1 000 0 microphones with respect to the source under
2 000 1,2 test; a sketch may be included, if necessary.
4 000 1,0
8 000 – 1,1

10 © BSI 03-2000
 ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

b) The time-averaged sound pressure levels, in f) The place where and the date when the
octave bands, for the sound source under test, for measurements were performed, and the person
the RSS, and with neither source in operation, at responsible for the test.
all microphone positions, in decibels with
reference to 20 4Pa ( = 2 × 10–5 Pa). 10 Information to be reported
c) The calculated sound power levels, in octave Only those recorded data (see clause 9) are to be
bands, for the source under test, in decibels with reported which are required for the purposes of the
reference 1 pW ( = 10–12 W). measurements. The report shall state whether or
d) The calculated A-weighted sound power level not the reported sound power levels have been
for the source under test, in decibels with obtained in full conformity with the requirements of
reference to 1 pW ( = 10–12 W). this part of ISO 3743.
NOTE 21 ISO 9296 requires that the declared A-weighted The A-weighted sound power level of the source
sound power level, LWAd, of computers and business equipment under test shall be reported to the nearest 0,5 dB.
be expressed in bels, using the identity 1 B = 10 dB.
e) Remarks on the subjective impression of the
noise produced by the source (audible discrete
tones, impulsive character, spectral content,
temporal characteristics, etc.).

© BSI 03-2000 11
ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

Annex A (informative)
Bibliography
[1] ISO 1996-1:1982, Acoustics — Description and measurement of environmental noise — Part 1: Basic
quantities and procedures.
[2] ISO 3740:1980, Acoustics — Determination of sound power levels of noise sources — Guide — lines for
the use of basic standards and for the preparation of noise test codes.
[3] ISO 3741:1988, Acoustics — Determination of sound power levels of noise sources — Precision methods
for broad-band sources in reverberation rooms.
[4] ISO 3743-2:—, Acoustics — Determination of sound power levels of noise sources — Engineering methods
for small, movable sources in reverberant fields — Part 2: Methods for special reverberation test rooms1).
[5] ISO 4871:—, Acoustics — Declaration and verification of noise emission values of machinery and
equipment2).
[6] ISO 7574-2:1985, Acoustics — Statistical methods for determining and verifying stated noise emission
values of machinery and equipment — Part 2: Methods for stated values for individual machines.
[7] ISO 9296:1988, Acoustics — Declared noise emission values of computer and business equipment.

1)
To be published.
2)
To be published. (Revision of ISO 4871:1984)

12 © BSI 03-2000
 ISO 3743-1:1994 (E)

Annex ZA (normative)
Normative references to international publications with their relevant
European publications
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply
to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references
the latest edition of the publication referred to applies.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

ISO 7574-1 1985 Acoustics — Statistical methods for determining and EN 27574-1 1988
verifying stated noise emission values of machinery and
equipment — Part 1: General considerations and
definitions
ISO 7574-4 1985 Acoustics — Statistical methods for determining and EN 27574-4 1988
verifying stated noise emission values of machinery and
equipment — Part 4: Methods for stated values for
batches of machines

© BSI 03-2000
BS EN ISO
3743-1:1995
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