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SoundEar 3 Outdoor Noise Warning Sign

SoundEar 3 Outdoor
SoundEar 3 Outdoor
SoundEar 3 Outdoor SoundEar 3 Outdoor SoundEar 3 Outdoor

Price List

SE3EAR-W
$2258.00
SoundEar 3 Outdoor Noise Sign - Data Logging - Ear Symbol
Lead time 2 weeks

CR514
$467.00
Sound Level Calibrator - Class 2
In stock
PSU24DC
$48.00
Power supply with 24V DC output
In stock

POWEX10
$17.00
DC power extension cable 10m (32ft) for 24V power supply
In stock

The delivery price is calculated during checkout based on your location and the goods ordered. Our basic delivery prices are:

Delivery within USA: $40.00

Delivery Service: Five working days*

* For products that are in stock and the order received by midday.

Some products go through a final configuration and calibration before being shipped. If the calibration labs are busy this can add up to two days on to the delivery schedule but guarantees a fresh calibration.

SE3EAR-W
$2258.00
SoundEar 3 Outdoor Noise Sign - Data Logging - Ear Symbol
2 weeks

Features

  • Weatherproof outdoor noise activated sign
  • Individual noise trigger levels for red, yellow and green
  • Digital display of sound level in dB
  • Data logging with download to USB stick
  • Low noise floor for quiet environments

Applications

  • Outdoor noise level warning
  • Areas exposed to rain or snow
  • Dusty environments
  • Locations requiring extra physical protection

Outdoor Noise Warning Sign

The SoundEar 3 Outdoor is a noise activated sign for use outdoors, in any weather, and is also suitable for use in environments with high levels of dust. It provides an immediate warning of high noise levels.

Modes of Operation

Similar to other noise warning signs in the SoundEar range, this sign can be configured to light up at your chosen sound level. The green light is on all the time, to remind people that the level of noise is important. The yellow light indicates that the noise levels are getting close to the limit. The red light comes on to warn that the levels are too high.

You can connect the SoundEar 3 Outdoor to a computer and use the software that is included to configure it. If you have a number of noise signs to configure then the software can write the settings to a memory stick. When you plug the stick in to each sign it will automatically configure it.

Weather Protection

The SoundEar 3 Outdoor consists of a standard SoundEar 3 Noise Warning Sign fitted inside a wall-mountable weatherproof case. A microphone is mounted on the base of the enclosure, fitted with a suitable windshield. A power cable also enters the bottom of the enclosure.

Data Logging and Software

The SoundEar 3 Outdoor has a large internal memory that stores the sound level every minute. When downloaded to a computer this gives a detailed graph of the noise throughout the day. A standard memory stick is the easiest way to transfer the noise measurements from the SoundEar to a computer.

usb stick data download
Download with USB Memory Stick

Outputs and System Integration

The SoundEar 3 can output the sound level in two different forms, making it suitable for integration with other monitoring and control systems. Using the software supplied you can configure the outputs to be either DC 0 to 10V or current loop 4-20mA. Two outputs are available and can be set to different noise parameters.

Applications

The SoundEar 3 Outdoor is ideal for noise warning and long term monitoring in potentially wet and dusty environments. With a wide measurement range it is suitable for acoustically quiet and noisy areas.

Outdoor Noise Warning

The weatherproof noise sign can be mounted on a wall in an area of varying noise levels. It is particularly helpful in areas where the noise levels are only occasionally high, so people know when to take action to reduce the levels or protect their hearing.

As the SoundEar also stores the noise measurements it can be used to check the long term noise trends or identify the noisy times of day.

Data storage and software are included with the standard SoundEar 3 Outdoor.

Indoor Noise Monitoring

This version of the SoundEar noise warning sign is also perfectly suited to indoor installations. In dusty industrial areas the enclosure keeps the noise warning sign itself clean and free of damage.

You may even choose to use this version of the sign for the extra physical protection it offers. It is more securely mounted to the wall than the standard SoundEar.

Entertainment Noise

High noise levels in pubs, clubs and other entertainment venues cause a health risk for staff and the risk of complaints from local residents. The SoundEar 3 Outdoor can be used outside the premises to remind visitors to keep the noise down or inside to help with hearing protection, where the enclosure protects against accidental damage.

Installation and Setup

Installation of the SoundEar 3 Outdoor consists of two parts: mounting it on the wall and setting up the display.

Wall Mounting

With the front cover of the enclosure removed there is access to four mounting holes through which the sign can be fixed to the wall.

Power

Power is provided to the outdoor noise warning sign by a 24 VDC adapter, which is included. The power adapter should be mounted indoors (it has no weather protection) and connects to the noise warning sign via a 32ft extension cable, which runs through a gland directly into the base of the noise sign enclosure.

Setting Up - Trigger Levels

The SoundEar 3 can be configured in many ways, with different trigger levels for the green, yellow and red lights, as well as different trigger durations and minimum lighting periods. It can also be set to have different settings for night time and will switch to those at the set times.

While some of the configuration can be carried out using the controls on the front of the sign (four arrow keys), it is often more convenient to use the software. There are two ways to do this:

  • Connect the sign to the computer's USB port and configure it directly.
  • Save the configuration to a USB stick, which will then configure any SoundEar 3 that it is plugged in to.

Noise Warning Displays

The SoundEar 3 has four main display components:

  • Green ear shape - Usually used to indicate that the sign is monitoring, it can also be set to come on at a programmable sound level.
  • Yellow warning ring - Usually used to warn that the sound levels are getting close to the limit, also individually programmable to a sound level.
  • Red warning light - Indicates that the noise is too high. This is also programmable with its own trigger level.
  • Digital display - Can be set to show the current sound level or the average sound level (Leq) over a given time. Otherwise it can be set to show the time or switched off altogether.

You can have two different time periods set, so you can have it operating with one configuration during the day and another during the night. It will switch between these settings at the times you select.

No matter what the display is showing, the SoundEar 3 is still monitoring and logging the sound levels. It could even be left showing just the time or nothing at all, thus avoiding people shouting or whistling to see it react. If this is all you need to do then have a look at the SE3-320W, which costs less and has just the small digital display.

Sample Displays

These sample displays give an idea of some of the different configurations that are possible.

1. Dual Level Display - The most common configuration. The Green lights are on all the time to remind everybody that the noise levels are being monitored. In this example the green light is on all the time, the yellow comes on at 45 dB and the red at 50 dB.

2. Night Time Minimal - All display options are disabled except for the central red warning light. Ideal for hospital units at night. In this case all lights are off, with the red central light coming on above 50 dB.

3. High Impact Flash - For maximum impact when the threshold is passed, the sign remains dark and then flashes all three indicators at the same time. In this example all lights are off until the level reaches 85 dB, when all red, yellow and green lights flash.

dual level display
1. Dual Level Display
night time noise sign
2. Night Time Minimal
high impact noise warning sign
3. High Impact Flash

Noise Warning Sign Software

The Outdoor Noise Sign comes complete with software to configure, download and display the results.

  • Configure the data logging settings
  • Download measurements

The outputs can be configured to:

  • 4-20mA current loop or 0-10V DC output
  • Sound level, frequency weighting, etc.

The software is included with the noise sign at no extra charge. It is designed for all recent versions of Windows. It communicates with the noise sign via the computer's USB port. Downloads and configuration can be carried out via a memory stick, so you don't have to take the noise sign down from the wall each time.

Historic Measurements

To download historic measurements it is not necessary to connect the processor to the computer. You can plug a standard USB stick into the sign and it will automatically transfer all its measurements. With the memory stick connected to the computer the SoundEar software will now download the measurements. In the image above you can see the sound levels graphed over a 24 hour period.

Analog Output

Using the software you can set the output from the sign to be either a DC level (0 to 10V) or current loop (4-20mA) for integrating into other logging and monitoring systems. You can also set the minimum and maximum sound levels that are then mapped onto this DC or current loop output. For more information, please visit the Outputs tab.

Data Logging Settings

The noise sign stores noise measurements in its internal memory. You can configure it to store a minimal amount of information for longer, or to store everything for a shorter period of time.

For most applications the noise sign's internal memory is large enough for more than 18 months storage without download - although of course we would recommend regular download to avoid data loss.

noise sign software
Noise Sign Software

Digital Display Settings

The SoundEar software can configure the sign's digital display to show:

  • Slow Sound Level dB(A)
  • LAeq,1s (1 second LAeq)
  • Alarm Level
  • Time
  • Nothing (the digital display will be off)

Although the default is to show the sound level, it can be useful to turn this off if it causes confusion (not everybody understands dB) or if it causes people to make noise to see how loud they are!

Microphone Calibration

If you have a Sound Level Calibrator and need to ensure the accurate operation of the Noise Processor then the software deals with this. Connect the outdoor noise sign to the software, connect a microphone extension cable and fit the calibrator to the microphone. The software Microphone Calibration option will then deal with the process of checking and adjusting.

SoundEar 3 Outdoor - Optional Outputs

The SoundEar 3 has two outputs available. These outputs can be configured to either:

  • DC Output 0 to 10V for monitoring using an A/D converter
  • Current Loop 4-20mA for integration into a process control system

Each of the outputs can be configured to provide:

  • Fast Sound Level dB(A) or dB(C)
  • Slow Sound Level dB(A) or dB(C)
  • Leq 1 minute, Leq 15 minute or Leq 60 minute

The range of dB measurement covered by the DC voltage or 4-20mA loop is set using the software.

output settings
Setting the Outputs from Software

Factory Fit Requirements

The current loop and DC output cables are not installed as standard on the outdoor noise sign. These must be requested at the time of ordering. The output cable connects to the sign inside the enclosure and pass through the same gland as the power cable. While we recommend having these fitted by us before we deliver the sign, it is relatively easy to add a cable yourself if necessary.

Current Loop 4-20mA Output

The SoundEar 3 Noise Warning Sign includes standard 4-20mA Current Loop outputs. These provide a signal that does not degrade due to resistance, allowing for longer cable runs, limited by the ability to drive the current.

  • Selectable dB measurement range
  • Select Fast/Slow, Max or Leq for output
  • Periodic Leq output option

DC Output 0-10V

The SoundEar 3 Noise Warning Sign also includes DC Voltage Outputs that are proportional to the measured sound level. They are ideal for level recorders and input to data logging systems.

Measurement Range

The overall measurement range of the SoundEar 3 is 30dB to 120dB. You can process this whole range over the current loop or DC voltage output, or you can select the range of interest.

In the example above, the first output is the average sound level every second (probably the most useful parameter available) while the second output is the average over a 15 minute period. A sound level of 50dB will be the minimum (4mA) and a sound level of 90dB will be the maximum (20mA).

Technical Specifications

Frequency Range20Hz to 20kHz
Measuring Range30 to 120 dB
Deviation± 0.5 dB
Frequency Weighting"A" ("C" weighted Peak)
Time WeightingFast and Slow
Digital DisplaydB(A) Slow, LAeq, Alarm settings, Clock
OutputsOptional 0-10V or 4-20mA
USB Ports1. Micro USB (internal, for setup only)
2. USB Controller (for USB memory stick connection)
Internal Memory16MB (128MBit) - 600 days
CabinetPolycarbonate
Dimensions300 x 230 x 85 mm, 9" x 11.8" x 3.3"
Weight2.4 kg, 5.3 lb
Power24 VDC
Max 2.5W
Power adapter & 32ft cable included
Ingress ProtectionIP65
Acoustic StandardsIEC61672-2-2002 Class 2, ANSI S1.4 Type 2
soundear 3 outdoor dimensions
SoundEar 3 Outdoor Dimensions