Acoustic Testing
Different types of devices have different thresholds for acceptable amounts of acoustic noise. Acoustic testing services assess how your product will perform in real-world conditions, and whether or not further revisions should be made to reduce noise. At NTS, we have more than 50 years of experience performing acoustic noise testing and monitoring. We can determine an appropriate testing protocol for your needs, and ensure it is completed to the highest possible standards at one of our many test centers located across the country.
All NTS acoustic testing facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art computerized instrumentation. NTS’s staff of acoustic test engineers has a well-rounded background in space systems, defense, and various commercial test programs. Their experience spans not only designing and performing various acoustic testing programs but also designing, building and modifying acoustic test equipment to suit any custom requirement. Contact NTS today to learn more about our Acoustics Testing and Measurement services.
Acoustic Immunity Testing and Measurement
Acoustic noise environment testing demonstrates what effect large airborne pressure fluctuations will have on materials and functionality of devices. As opposed to electrical noise, acoustic noise can be heard and felt. Common sources include the sound and vibration of a motor running, poorly designed electrical transformers and power supplies, and wind resistance.
Detrimental effects of acoustic noise can include wire chaffing, component fatigue, cracking of printed circuit boards, intermittent operation of electrical contacts, optical misalignment, loosening of small particles, and excessive electrical noise.
Two main types of acoustic noise can create problems: those that penetrate or are generated within a closed chamber where the test item is located, and those that sweep over the surface of the device, as would occur if the test item were mounted on an outside of a moving vehicle or aircraft.
Acoustic Noise Testing and Measurement
Acoustic noise testing is the measurement of sound emissions radiating from the equipment under test. In other words, how loud is the equipment?
Many markets and industries require acoustic noise testing to protect the hearing of technicians and users of equipment.
Business/ITE: Equipment that generates annoying or loud tones and buzzes can easily be heard throughout an office environment.
- Military: Military and defense products are required to undergo acoustic noise testing to prevent hearing loss, permit acceptable speech communication and minimize aural detection by the enemy.
- Regulatory: OSHA and other international regulatory bodies require that acoustic noise emissions values of many different types of equipment be declared in order for the equipment to be legally sold.
- Telecommunications: AT&T, Verizon and Telcordia require acoustic noise testing to be performed on products being deployed in central offices, data centers, customer premises and outside plant environments.
Industry standards which cover acoustic noise testing include: ISO 9296, ISO 7779, ISO 3744, GR-63-CORE, ETSI EN 300 753, IEC 60601, and MIL-STD-1474D (previously MIL-STD-740).
NTS Silicon Valley recently upgraded their acoustic noise data acquisition system from a single microphone to a 10 microphone array. This new setup can capture multiple sound pressure measurements or an entire sound power field instantaneously. Our customers can now test many different product configurations in a single day long test session allowing faster troubleshooting and ultimately a quicker time to market.
To learn more about Acoustic Noise testing, click here.
Acoustic Testing Services at NTS
To discuss the specifics of your project with our team, call or email us today.