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Optimus red

The Optimus Red sound level meter is for measuring sound levels in factories and other work environments in line with the UK and EU occupational noise regulations.

• Noise at work surveys
• Meets EU regulations and HSE guidelines
• Quick and easy to use
• Voice tag recording of comments
• Single range 20 to 140 dB
• 12 year warranty

Let the meter take the strain

The Optimus Red has been designed specifically for noise at work measurements. Rather than being a general purpose meter that leaves you trying to select the correct measurement range and parameters, the Optimus Red does it all for you, recording all the measurements that you might need now and in the future.

Lower cost meters are available (even within our range), but they will not usually meet the IEC 61672 standard and will not be Integrating as required for occupational noise measurement. They will certainly not be so powerful or easy to use.

Applications

• All occupational noise surveys
• Noise exposure calculations
• Factory and other noisy industrial environment
• Power station
• Construction noise
• Workshop and woodworking
• Detailed hearing protector assessment (with octave band option)
• Machinery maintenance and trouble-shooting
• Fire alarm testing
• Office noise level assessments

Buying the Right Meter

The noise at work regulations state that you should use at least a Class 2* Integrating Sound Level Meter that provides you with measurements of LAeq and LCPeak. The meter should be verified by a suitably equipped laboratory when new and at least every two years. You also need a Calibrator to check the meter's function before making measurements.

*(IEC 61672 is the standard that defines the accuracy of a sound level meter. The noise at work regulations state that a meter should meet the IEC 61672 standard to at least Class 2. Class 1 is a little more accurate, so you can use a Class 1 meter too.)

Our Recommendation

For basic occupational noise measurements, we recommend the standard Optimus Red Class 2 (order code CR162A) with Calibrator (order code CR514). The extra bits (logging and octaves) can be added at a later date if needed.

For more advanced use, or where the noise levels are particularly high, we recommend Optimus Red Class 2 with with logging and octaves (order code CR162C) with Calibrator. This gives the ability to assess the level at the ear when wearing different hearing protectors.

Taking Measurements with the Optimus Red Noise at Work Sound Level Meter

The Optimus Red Sound Level Meter measures all the parameters that are needed for an occupational noise survey. What's more, it measures them all at the same time, so there is no need to work out which measurements you need before starting.

Measures all parameters at the same time in a single measurement span.

• LAeq and LCPeak - the main noise at work parameters
• A, C and Z frequency weightings
• LCeq - LAeq calculation for quick hearing protector selection

• Data logging versions also store:
  • Overall Leq, Peak, Max and Min
  • Time History (see below)
  • Date, Time and run time
  • Voice Tag
  • Real-Time Octave Band Filters (option)

The meter's display shows the main parameters that are needed when making noise at work measurements: LAeq (average sound level), LCPeak (maximum peak level) and the current sound level. With a button push or two, it can also show more detail, such as LEPd, exposure, memory and calibration status.

The bar on the left of the display shows the current level, changing to yellow and then red when the sound level goes above the defined action levels (usually 80dBA and 85 dBA).

Data Logging Options - Parameters Stored

Although the display shows only the commonly used parameters, the data logging versions of this meter store the sound levels for all time and frequency weightings, along with a time history for the more common ones.

Summary

These "overall" values describe the noise for the whole measurement period. They include the Max and Min values for all frequency and time weightings, along with the all important Leq (A, C and Z weighted) and Peak (C and Z weighted).

Time History

The meter can be set to store time history measurements at one of a number of rates between 10ms and 2 seconds. It stores the Leq (A, C and Z) and the Peak (C and Z), giving a very informative graph of the noise over time. This is particularly useful when monitoring for long periods.

Real-Time Octave Band Filters

The data logging version of the meter can also have Real-Time (or "parallel") Octave Band Filters. The meter measures in all bands at the same time, storing the octave spectrum every second or every 1/2 second.

Hearing Protector Assessment

When noise levels are very high, you need to be sure that the hearing protectors that are being used are adequate. The NoiseTools software (included with the data logging meters) takes the octave band measurements and calculates the level at the ear when using different hearing protectors.

Voice Tag

Do you need an easy and reliable way of making on-site notes with your noise measurements? The easiest way is to make a brief recording (either your voice or the actual noise) just before making a measurement.

The Voice Tag feature is included with all data logging versions of the meter.

Before starting a measurement, the meter will ask if you want to record a "Voice Tag". The meter will record any speech or the noise in question (to help you identify it later) for up to 30 seconds. This audio is transferred to the software automatically along with the measurement.

You can skip this stage if you don't need a voice tag, or the option can be disabled altogether.

When viewing the measurement on a computer the Play Voice Tag button lets you listen to the recording on the computer's speakers.

 

Noise at Work

The CR160 Optimus Red was designed specifically for noise at work measurements in line with the EU regulations. It provides all the noise measurement parameters that you need in a meter of the correct grade.

This meter can be used without a computer, in which case you don't need the data logging option. If you want to be able to download measurements, store them and produce reports then the data logging option is a must. Finally, the Octave Band Filter option gives a more detailed analysis of the noise and provides automatic hearing protector assessments through the software.

• Designed for Noise at Work regulations
• Meets the required standards
• All parameters needed: LAeq, LCeq, LCPeak, LEPd, LEX8hr
• Option for storing and download to computer
• Octave Band option for detailed hearing protector assessment

The full occupational noise measurement process is described below.

Calibration Check

The regulations and guidelines state that the meter's calibration should be checked before making measurements, and that you should keep records of these calibration checks.

Fit the Calibrator over the microphone as shown on the right, switch it on and press theCalibrate button. The meter will automatically make any adjustments.

Calibration details are stored in the meter so that you can either make note or download them to a computer if you have the data logging option.

Basic Measurements

To start a measurement, simply press the Start key, shown on the right. This process is the same for any model of this meter, whether you have data logging or not.

The meter will start measuring the LAeq and LCPeak (the main parameters needed for Noise at Work), along with a few other useful parameters.

When you are happy that you have measured for long enough (the LAeq has settled for example), simply press the Stop key.

 

Data Logging Measurements

If you have the data logging option then along with the overall values for LAeq, LCeq, LCPeak and a few others, the meter will also have stored the LAeq, LCeq and LCPeak (along with some others!) every second, or whatever rate the meter is set to. This is all done automatically, there is no need to tell it to store them.

Once you have finished making measurements, they can be downloaded to a computer using the NoiseTools software provided.

Octave Band Measurements

If you have the Octave Bands fitted then, as with the data logging, the meter stores them automatically every 1/2 second. The measurement process is exactly the same as described above.

Octave band results can be displayed on the meter's screen or downloaded using the Noise Tools software for inclusion in reports or for analysing the performance of your hearing protectors.

Download the Optimus Red Datasheet (PDF, 822k)

Contact Midas

Midas Safety Services are happy to discuss your Sound and Noise Level Testing requirements and arrange a no-obligation meeting if that would be helpful.

Please contact us on 01454-632967 or email chrisgray@midaselectronics.co.uk.