Sound Level Meters & Decibel Meters

7-Year Warranty When Calibrated Annually

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All of our sound level meters can be supplied as complete noise measurement kits, including the meter, an acoustic calibrator, a carrying case, and other essential accessories. Each meter is provided with a valid calibration certificate and warranty.

Class 1 and Class 2 sound level meters

Suitable for occupational noise assessments and environmental monitoring. Our Class 1 Nova sound level meters are slightly more accurate than Class 2 models, offering better performance at higher frequencies and supporting reliable results for legal or regulatory purposes.

Our Nova Noise at Work and Nova Environmental sound level meters calculate LAeq and LCpeak values, making them ideal for occupational noise assessments.

The Nova Noise at Work and Nova Environmental sound level meters offer 1:1 octave band analysis, making them ideal for hearing protection selection.

Our Nova Environmental sound level meter also features audio recording and repeat timers, making it ideal for long-term monitoring when combined with the Outdoor Noise Measurement Kit.

Entry-level sound level meters

The Nova Basic and Model 14 sound level meters provide simple SPL measurements, making them ideal for basic noise level testing and quick spot checks.

Sound level meter FAQs

Answers to common questions about choosing, using and maintaining sound level meters.

The Noise at Work Regulations state that an integrating sound level meter (or SLM) is required for occupational noise assessments. For most Health and Safety applications, for example, including Noise Risk Assessments in the workplace, an integrating Class 2 meter is all that is required. These are meters that measure the LAeq (Equivalent Continuous Sound Level, also referred to as Leq) LAeq is the preferred way of measuring varying sound level over time, the resulting measurement is a single decibel value which is used in occupational noise assessments to determine the noise levels of an activity over time, or the noise levels a person (or persons) are exposed to.

You can also use a Class 1 meter. This is has higher precision than Class 2 and it is often used for sound level measurements of environmental noise and for laboratory applications, although you can use it for most other acoustic measurement applications such as industrial and construction noise assessments. The tolerance in each frequency is much tighter on Class 1 than on a Class 2 meter. Most British Standards call for a Class 1, but occupational noise measurements only require Class 2.

Yes. There are different types of calibration. You need to field calibrate your meter before and after every set of measurements with an acoustic calibrator. You need to have a periodic calibrator (factory calibration) at least every two years, however, Pulsar recommends you return your instrument annually to us for recalibration and in return, we will extend your product warranty up to 7 years. All instruments leave Pulsar Instruments professionally calibrated and are supplied with a valid calibration certificate to international standards. Pulsar can also supply your meters as UKAS calibrated which is the highest level of calibration you can receive (extra charges apply for this).

Yes. We advise you use a windshield to protect the microphone from dust and environmental conditions when you are conducting a noise level measurement inside and outdoors. When you buy a sound meter from us a windshield is supplied as standard. If you lose it or it gets damaged you can purchase a replacement.

Our meters can be used for a range of applications for measuring noise levels:

Noise at work
Occupational and industrial hygiene (to guard against hearing loss risk)
Environmental noise measurement
Boundary noise measurement
Machinery noise testing
Vehicle noise testing
Entertainment noise measurement
Community noise
Sound exposure

A decibel dB meter fitted with Octave Band Filters can split the audible spectrum into smaller bands that identify the frequency content of the sound. If you are taking environmental noise measurements we recommend you buy a meter with at least 1:1 octave band filters. If you are measuring occupational noise they are not necessary, however, some people like to use them to identify more accurately the frequency of noise and the levels of hearing protection to prescribe. With the Pulsar Nova range of instruments, you can buy a meter with 1:1 octave band filters (Models 45 and 46 have it as standard), or you can choose to upgrade to this option at a later date. If you have this option, the Pulsar AnalyzerPlus software will supply a range of options of hearing PPE based on the octave frequency content of the noise you measure.

Sound Level Meters & Decibel Meters

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Model 14 Entry-Level Sound Level Meter

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