Anechoic chamber verification for calibration of reference sound sources.

Confidence in the capability of a testing facility to perform repeatable/reproducible product testing mandates study of each test chamber utilized by the facility. The Owens Corning Acoustic Research Center (OCARC) provides product sound power level determination for many differing product types ranging from the power generation, appliance, automotive, to medical equipment industry utilizing a fully anechoic chamber with a removable horizontal reflecting plane. Recently the OARC completed a verification study identifying the performance of the chamber relative to the requirements of test standard ISO 6926: Requirements for the performance and calibration of reference sound sources used for determination of sound power levels and ANSI S12.5: Requirements for the performance and calibration of reference sound sources. These standards provide strict guidelines for the repeatability/reproducibility of test results. This paper will review the verification testing process and present results from the study.