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ETYMOTIC RESEARCH INC.
Personal
Noise
Dosimeter
ER-200
User Guide
Firmware Version 6.1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ..................................................................................................4
General Description......................................................................................4
Getting Started
Package Contents ......................................................................................5
Identification of Parts ................................................................................5
Battery Insertion ........................................................................................5
Windscreen ................................................................................................5
Operating Instructions
............................................................................
6-7
Normal Mode ............................................................................................6
Interpreting Results—Normal Mode........................................................6
Quick Check ..............................................................................................7
Interpreting Results—Quick Check ......................................................7
Reading the Display
....................................................................................8
What the LEDs Mean..................................................................................8
te ..........................................................................................................8
Ra
What Dose % Means ................................................................................8
Auto Shut Off
Low Battery Indicator
................................................................................................9
..................................................................................9
Data Logging ................................................................................................9
Direct Electrical Input ..................................................................................9
Calibration ..................................................................................................10
Specifications ............................................................................................10
Care and Maintenance ..............................................................................11
Warranty ....................................................................................................11
FCC & Industry Canada Statements ..........................................................11
Risk Factors for Hearing Loss ..................................................................11
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Introduction
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Hearing loss from exposure to loud sound affects millions of people. Noise-induced
hearing loss is preventable, but most people do not know how long they can listen
to loud sound without risking hearing damage. A single noise exposure may not
result in hearing loss, but permanent damage to the inner ear from noise adds up
over time. The accumulation of too much noise day by day, year after year, is
the determining factor in hearing loss risk. A sound level
measures noise a
t a particular point in time, while a dosimeter measures sound
levels for many hours and calculates the cumula
meter is a device that
tive noise dose in percent.
Daily noise dose is determined by both the intensity of the sound and the amount of
exposure time. A 100% dose means that a person has reached the maximum noise
exposure for the day, and continued exposure to loud sound could lead to hearing
loss. Ideally, hearing protection should be used before the dose reaches 100% since
dose limits are based on averages, and some ears are more susceptible to noise
damage than others. When the noise dose exceeds 50% a person has reached
half the maximum noise exposure for the day and it’ s a good idea to use hearing
protection to prevent over-exposure, particularly if a 50% dose reading is reached
early in the day.
General Description
The ER-200 Personal Noise Dosimeter complies with most but not all of the
requirements of a Type-2 Noise Dosimeter [ANSI S1.25-1991(R2002) ]. It is an
inexpensive, easy-to-use screening device that provides a good estimate of noise
dose and alerts the user to the risk of over exposure. In cases of gunfire and other
impulse noise, no conventional dosimeter measures the risk accura tely because
more specialized equipment is required.
The ER-200 has two modes of operation: Normal Mode measures and displays
noise dose continuously for up to 16 hours, and Quick Check measures noise for
two minutes, then calculates and displays the estimated dose per hour.
In Normal Mode, the dosimeter provides an early warning tha t the user is
pproaching over exposure and should use hearing protection. Quick Check
a
provides a quick and easy way to measure a specific noise source to determine
if permissible exposure levels will be exceeded (e.g., loud equipment, vehicles,
power tools, music concerts or sporting events).
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Getting Started
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Package Contents:
• ER-200 Personal Noise Dosimeter
• Windscreen
• Batteries: Three AAAA Alkaline*
• User Guide
• Reference Card
(AAAA batteries are available at retail locations and electronics retailers such as Radio Shack)
*
Identification of Parts
LEDs
Input jack
Microphone
Power
Front
Battery Insertion
On the back side of the dosimeter, locate the arrow on the battery compartment.
• Press down and slide the cover off
• Insert three AAAA batteries (supplied)
• Replace cover
Battery compartment
Windscreen
For accurate measurements, the 35 mm (1.4")
windscreen included with the ER-200 should be
used when noise is measured outdoors or near
any turbulence, e.g., from a fan. The foam
windscreen allows accurate measurement in
winds up to 15 to 20 mph. Note: Blowing across
the microphone opening on the dosimeter can
cause the same turbulence as a 50 mph wind.
Back
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Operating Instructions
Note: Use the foam windscreen when measurements are made outdoors. Do not blow into the
microphone opening because incorrect noise dose readings will result.
Normal Mode (Daily Dose) Test Time: Up to 16 hours
Power ON:
• Press and release the power button. The red 3200% LED is steady,
followed by one LED sweep.
• The previously measured dose displays for about 10 seconds while the
red 3200% LED remains steady.
If the previous dose was 3200%, the red 3200% LED flashes.
•
• When the red 3200% LED turns off, a slow flashing of the green 25%
LED begins,
• The dosimeter continuously displays the current dose, indicated by a
flashing LED.
• After 16 hours, the accumulated dose is displayed for about 8 minutes.
The dose is stored in memory and is displayed when the device is
•
powered on again.
Power OFF:
• To power off the dosimeter prior to its automa tic shutdown: Press and hold
the power button until a pair of lights flashes (about 3 seconds) then release
the button.
Wait 5 seconds before powering ON a
•
indicating the start of the measurement.
• During the display period, the red 3200% LED is steady and the
flashing LED indicates the dose. In cases where the accumula
dose is 3200%, the red 3200% LED flashes.
• At the end of 8 minutes, the dosimeter automatically shuts off.
gain.
ted
Interpreting Results — Normal Mode
LED Dose % Risk Factor Hearing Protection Needed
green (slow flash) < 25% No risk of hearing loss NO
green (fast flash) 25% No risk of hearing loss NO
green 50% 1/2 daily dose reached NO
yellow 100% Limit of permissible exposure YES
red 200% 2x allowable daily dose YES
red 400% 4x allowable daily dose YES
red 1600% 16x allowable daily dose YES
red 3200% 32x allowable daily dose YES
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Muffled hearing and
ringing in the ears is
likely after unprotected
exposure
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Operating Instructions (continued)
Quick Check (Estimated Hourly Dose) Test Time: 2 minutes
Note: Use the foam windscreen when measurements are made outdoors. Do not blow into the
microphone opening because incorrect noise dose readings will result.
Power ON:
• Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds. The red 3200% LED
is steady,
• The previously measured dose is displayed for about 10 seconds while
the red 3200% LED remains steady.
• When the red 3200% LED turns off and the green 25% LED flashes,
the two-minute Quick Check starts.
• After 2 minutes, the steady red 3200% LED indica tes the test is over.
Power OFF:
• To power off the dosimeter prior to its automa tic shutdown: Press and
• Wait 5 seconds before powering ON again.
followed by several LED sweeps. Release power button.
• The flashing LED indicates the estimated dose per hour.
• During the display period, the red 3200% LED remains steady, unless
the estimated dose is 3200%, then the red 3200% LED flashes.
• The estimated dose per hour displays for 1 minute, then the
dosimeter shuts off.
• The dose is stored in memory and is displayed when the device is
powered on again.
hold the power button until a pair of lights flashes (about 3 seconds)
then release the button.
Interpreting Results — Quick Check (2-minute test)
If the LED color is: The estimated dose The estimated dose
green (slow flash) < 25% < 200%
green (fast flash) 25% 200%
green 50% 400%
yellow 100% 800%
red 200% 1600%
red 400% 3200%
red 1600%
red 3200%
per hour is: per 8 hours is:
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Reading the Display
What the LEDs Mean
The dosimeter uses color-coded LEDs to display noise dose in percent.
Green (Safe): Noise dose is below 100%
Yellow (Borderline): Noise dose is greater than 100% and less than 200%
Red (High Risk): Noise dose is greater than 200%
Rate
A slow flashing LED at 25% means that the noise dose is at or below 25%
(i.e., between 0% and 25%). When the noise dose reaches 25%, the 25% LED
flashes rapidly indicating that it is between 25% and 50%. Similarly, when the
dose exceeds 50% but is less than 100%, the 50% LED flashes rapidly, etc.
What Dose % Means
Simply stated, noise dose is a measurement of noise exposure. It is the
combination of the amount of sound and the amount of exposure time. Think of
100% as the limit of safe exposure, 200% as two times the permissible exposure
limit, 400% as four times the limit, etc. The risk of hearing impairment grows with
increasing noise dose. In some susceptible persons, a 100% dose indicates
enough noise exposure to cause a small amount of hearing loss over time.
LED Dose % Risk Factor
green (slow flash) <25% No risk of hearing loss
green (fast flash) 25% No risk of hearing loss
green 50% 1/2 daily dose reached
yellow 100% Limit of permissible exposure
red 200% 2x allowable daily dose
red 400% 4x allowable daily dose
red 1600% 16x allowable daily dose
red 3200% 32x allowable daily dose
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Auto Shut Off
In Normal Mode, the dosimeter shuts off 8 minutes after displaying the 16-hour
accumulated daily dose. In Quick Check, the dosimeter shuts off 1 minute after
displaying the estimated dose per hour.
Low Battery Indicator
The ER-200 measures battery strength each time the dosimeter is po wered ON.
If batteries are weak, a pair of lights flashes for 3 seconds. At the first low-battery
alert, there is typically enough battery power remaining to measure a 16-hour day’s
dose. When batteries are too low to complete a 16-hour measurement cycle, a pair
of lights will flash at startup and the unit immediately shuts OFF.
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Calibration
The ER-200 dosimeter is factory calibrated. Flexibility in the dosimeter design
allows exchange rates of 3, 4 or 5 dB, criterion levels from 75 to 90 dB and
threshold levels from 75 to 85 dB; ho wever, these settings are only configurable
at the factory and are not adjustable by the user without PC interface software and
other specialized equipment.
Specifications
The default settings used by the ER-200 for calcula tion of noise dose are consistent
with ANSI S1.25–1991 (R2002) Specification for Personal Noise Dosimeters.
Calibration Accuracy:
Dose Calculation Criteria:
Exchange Rate: 3 dB
Criterion Level: 85 dB
Threshold Level: 75 dB
Criterion T
ime: 8 hours
Frequency Weighting: A
Response: Slow
Temperature Range of Operation: -10°C to 45°C (14°F to 113°F)
Omni-directional Microphone: Flat from 100 Hz to 15 kHz
Earphone Monitor Jack (2.5 mm): 10 mV (-40 dB re 1V)
Frequency Weighting For Earphone Monitoring: Same as microphone (A)
ower Supply: Three AAAA batteries
P
RMS Detector: Dynamic range 60 dB (70 to 130 dB)
Battery Life: > 250 hours continuous use
+
2 dB
–
corresponds to 94 dB SPL
+
1 dB at 1 kHz
–
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Care and Maintenance
• Do not expose to extreme tempera tures.
• Do not immerse in any liquids.
• Clean with a soft dry cloth.
Warranty
Etymotic Research, Inc. warrants this product against defects in material or
workmanship for a period of one year from the da te of original purchase.
Etymotic will repair or replace the defective product a t its option if returned
within the warranty period to our service facility. This warranty is in lieu of all
other warranties, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied
warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
FCC & Industry Canada Statements
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003
du Canada.
Risk Factors For Hearing Loss
Health risks from excessive noise exposure include permanent hearing loss and
tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Other factors such as genetics, exposure to smoke,
pesticides, chemical solvents and certain medications increase the risk of hearing
loss. Some of these factors make noise exposure more dama ging to hearing than
noise exposure alone. The dosimeter predicts average risk, not individual risk.
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