Sound Power
In a specified frequency band, the rate at which acoustic energy is radiated from a source. In general, the rate of flow of sound energy, whether from a source, through an area, or into an absorber.
- Sound power is not measured directly, but may be estimated in a number of ways from measurements of sound pressure or sound intensity. There a number of factors to consider when choosing the method of evaluating the sound power:
- The required accuracy
- The size and ease of transporting the machinery or equipment
- The test environment available for the measurements
- The background noise level
- The type of noise being measured
- Impulsive
- Broadband
- Stationary
- Non-stationary
- Discrete frequency
- The instrumentation available for the measurements
- The type of sound power level required
- Frequency weighted
- Frequency bands
- Frequency range
- Other acoustic information desired
- Directivity
- Temporal
See also: Volume Velocity.
