A windshield is a vital part of your noise measurement equipment for several reasons, not only do they reduce the effects of wind and air movement across your noise meter’s microphone, they also help protect it from damage and help keep it clean and free of dust.
We’ve designed our windshield for noise meters perfectly so they allow the changes in air pressure from noise to be measured whilst ensuring microphone protection from wind, dust and damage.
Why you need to use a windshield when you are taking noise measurements
There are three key reasons:
- Reduce the effects of wind and air movement across the microphone
- Protect the microphone capsule from damage
- Protect the microphone capsule from dirt and dust.
Effects of wind & air movement across the microphone
Microphone capsules are designed to be sensitive to and react to changes in air pressure. These changes can be very small when the noise levels are down to 20dB or quite large when the noise levels are over 140dB. A microphone capsule that is this sensitive is all susceptible to picking up disturbance from wind which can affect your noise measurements, it is, therefore, vital when you are taking measurements outside that you use a windshield to reduce as much as possible, the effects of wind upon the measurements.
We’ve designed our windshields to fit our noise meters perfectly so they allow the changes in air pressure from noise to be measured whilst reducing the turbulence that wind can create.
Protection of noise meters from damage
The microphone capsule on your sound level meter is the most important part of the instrument. It’s the microphone that converts changes in air pressure into an electrical signal which tells the instrument the noise level. It is also the most delicate part of your sound level meter; if the capsule gets damaged any noise measurements taken could be incorrect.
Using a windshield for noise meters, even when you are taking measurements indoors, can protect the microphone capsule from any knocks and bangs that might occur from carrying the sound level meter around or from when you are actually taking measurements.
Protection of noise meters from dirt and dust
The microphone capsule is made with a thin and delicate microphone diaphragm inside which moves with the changes in air (sound) pressure. This delicate moving part is susceptible to things like water, dust and dirt which can all affect the way the microphone performs and measures noise.
Using a windshield for all your noise measurements helps to protect your noise meter’s microphone from potential contaminants and helps to keep it working accurately.
