Protocol for measuring dishwasher sound power levels

A leading retailer of home appliances came to the OC acoustics laboratory to evaluate the noise generated by dishwashers sold in their stores. A protocol based on a methodology used in Europe was used. It was modified to account for North American building standards. The standard provides an overall sound power level determination for the complete dishwasher cycle with and without the drying portion of the cycle. As a result customers making a purchasing decision can compare the noise performance of the various products using the same yard stick.