Etymotic ER-200DW8 User Manual
Personal Noise Dosimeter
User Manual
ER-200DW8
Contents
Note: This manual can be downloaded from etymotic.com.
Operating Instructions
Introduction ................................4
Getting Started
Package Contents .........................5
Identification of Parts .......................6
Using the Windscreen .....................7-8
Operating Instructions
Battery Insertion ...........................9
Power Button Functions .....................9
Status Check ............................10
Normal Mode ............................11
Interpreting Results .....................12
QuickCheck Mode ........................13
Interpreting Results .....................14
Reading the Display: LEDs ..................15
What Dose % Means ......................16
NIOSH vs. OSHA Criteria ....................17
Data Logging ............................18
Memory Capacity ......................18-19
Clearing the Memory ......................19
Calibration ..............................19
Specifications ............................20
Care and Maintenance .....................21
Warranty ...............................21
FCC/Industry Canada Statements .............21
Risk Factors for Hearing Loss ................22
2
Utility Suite Installation
About the Utility Suite .......................23
Installation .............................23-26
Connecting to the PC .....................27-28
Using the Utility Suite
Utility Suite Screens .........................29
Menus ................................30-31
Setup Screen ..............................32
Measurement Mode .......................33
Run Length .............................34
Power Button Functions ....................35
Writing Settings to the Dosimeter .............36
Restore Default Settings ....................37
Data Screen ...............................38
Downloading Stored Data ..................38
Data Table ..............................39
Data Graphs .............................40
Normal Runs ..........................40
QuickCheck Runs ......................41
Predictive Data Feature ...............41-42
Clearing the Memory ......................42
Saving Data ...............................43
Printing Reports ............................44
Previously Saved Reports ...................44
Reports and Data Files ..................45-46
3
Introduction
Hearing loss from loud sound affects millions of people.
Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable, but most people
don’t 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 meter is a device
that measures noise at a particular point in time, while
a dosimeter measures sound levels for many hours and
calculates the cumulative 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. Noise dose limits are based on a
5-day work week, and assume quiet during non-work time.
So the noise dose limit per week is 500% (100% x 5 days).
Using hearing protection when dose exceeds 50% reduces
the likelihood of exceeding the limit of 500% dose per week.
4
Getting Started
The ER-200DW8 Personal Noise Dosimeter is an inexpensive,
easy-to-use 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 accurately. More specialized
equipment is required to measure impulse noise.
The ER-200DW8 has three modes of operation:
· Status: displays the previously measured results, indicates
when batteries need to be replaced, and indicates when
the device memory is full.
· Normal: measures and displays noise dose continuously
for up to 7 days; provides an early warning for
over-exposure and the need for hearing protection.
· QuickCheck: measures noise for two minutes then
calculates and displays the estimated dose per hour.
QuickCheck provides a quick way to measure a specific
noise source to determine if permissible exposure levels
will be exceeded and hearing protection is needed (e.g.,
loud equipment, vehicles, power tools, concerts or sporting
events).
Package Contents
· ER-200DW8 Personal Noise Dosimeter
· USB Cable
· PC Interface Software CD
· Windscreen
· Batteries: Three AAAA Alkaline*
· User Guide
*AAAA batteries are available at electronics retailers
and at etymotic.com
55
Identification of Parts
A Microphone
B Windscreen Socket
C LEDs
D Power Button
E Clip
F Battery Compartment
G USB Socket
B
A
C
D
G
A
B
E
F
G
6
Using the Windscreen
For accurate measurements, the 35 mm (1.4”) windscreen
included with the ER-200DW8 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.
The windscreen contains a plastic pin on the interior to
anchor it to the ER-200DW8. To attach the windscreen,
carefully pull the foam back to visualize the pin. Place the
pin in the windscreen socket at the top of the ER-200DW8.
Gently pull the foam down over the top of the dosimeter
case. To remove the windscreen, grasp the windscreen
and pin and pull straight out.
77
Windscreen
Windscreen fits on top
of the dosimeter
Pull up the foam
and line up the
windscreen pin
with the windscreen
socket on top of
the dosimeter
Push firmly into the
opening until you hear
it snap in
Gently pull foam down
over top of dosimeter
case. Dosimeter is
ready to operate
8
Operating
Instructions
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) positive side
down as shown.
· Replace cover.
Power Button Functions
The Power button is used to select the type of run.
This sequence cannot be changed.
· One press: Displays Status
· Two presses: Starts a Normal run
· Three presses: Starts a QuickCheck run
99
Status Check
Power ON
· Press and release the power button one time.
The 12.5% green LED illuminates briefly.
· The previously measured noise dose is displayed
(flashing LED).
Device Status is Displayed
· Two Green LEDs
Battery is good; memory capacity is acceptable
· Two Green and one Yellow LED
Battery is low or memory capacity is low
· Two Red LEDs — 3 Possibilities
- Battery is dead
- Device memory is full
- Hardware failure
Good
2 Green
Caution
2 Green and
1 Yellow
Warning
2 Red
10
Normal Mode
Run Length: Programmable
(16 hours; 3 days; 5 days; 7 days)
Power ON
· Press and release the power button two times.
- The 12.5% (green) LED illuminates on the first press
- The 25% (green) LED illuminates on the second press
· Three LEDs (green, yellow and red) flash twice. Then
the 12.5% LED flashes, indicating the dosimeter is now
measuring and integrating sound levels.
Measurement Window
In Normal mode, dose values are obtained every 220 msec,
summed over a 3.75 minute interval and saved in
non-volatile memory every 3.75 minutes (16 times
per hour).
Measurement Period
The default measurement period is 16 hours. The current
dose is continually displayed by a flashing LED. At the
end of the measurement period three LEDs (green, yellow
and red) flash twice, indicating the measurement is
complete. The dosimeter automatically shuts off.
Dose is stored in the device memory and will be displayed
when the device is powered on in Status mode. Stored data
can also be downloaded to a PC.
Power OFF
· To shut off prior to automatic shutdown: press and hold
the power button for two seconds.
· Three LEDs (green, yellow and red) flash twice and the
device shuts off.
1111
Interpreting Results
Normal Mode (Based on NIOSH Criteria)
LED Dose% Risk Factor
green 12.5%
(slow flash)
green 12.5%
(regular flash)
green 25% 25 - 49%
yellow 50% 50 - 99%
red 100% 100 - 199%
red 2x 200 - 399%
red 4x
red 8, 16, 32x
(regular flash)
red 8, 16, 32x
(double flash)
red 8, 16, 32x
(fast flash)
< 12.5%
12.5 - 24%
400 - 799%
8x
16x
32x
No risk of hearing
loss
No risk of hearing
loss
No risk of hearing
loss
1/2 or more of
daily dose
Exposure limit
exceeded
> 2x allowable
daily dose
> 4x allowable
daily dose
> 8x allowable
daily dose
> 16x allowable
daily dose
> 32x allowable
daily dose
Hearing
Protection
Needed
No
No
No
Yes
(conservatively)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
12
QuickCheck Mode
(Estimated Dose per Hour) Test Time: 2 minutes
Power ON
· Press and release the power button three times.
- The 12.5% (green) LED illuminates on the first press.
- The 25% (green) LED illuminates on the second press
- The 50% (yellow) LED illuminates on the third press.
· The LEDs sweep twice from bottom to top.
· The bottom LED flashes green throughout the
measurement, indicating QuickCheck mode.
· The solid LED indicates the predicted dose per hour.
After 2 minutes the LEDs sweep twice from bottom to top,
indicating the measurement is complete.
· The solid LED (predicted dose per hour) displays
for 7 seconds while the bottom LED flashes green
(indicating QuickCheck). The dosimeter then shuts off.
· Result is stored in the device memory and is displayed
when the device is turned on again in Status mode.
Stored data can also be downloaded to a PC.
Power OFF
To power off prior to QuickCheck’s automatic shutdown
you must wait at least 15 seconds into the measurement.
· Press and hold the power button for 2 seconds. The LEDs
will sweep twice, bottom to top.
· The estimated dose per hour (solid LED) is displayed
for 7 seconds while the bottom LED flashes green
(indicating QuickCheck). The dosimeter shuts off.
NOTE: If the dosimeter is shut off prior to its automatic shutdown, it
will still calculate the predicted hourly dose based on the sound level
and duration of the measurement.
1313
Interpreting Results
QuickCheck Mode (Based on NIOSH Criteria)
Solid LED is
No LED lit < 12.5% <100%
green 12.5% 12.5 - 24% 100-192%
green 25% 25 - 49% 200 - 392%
yellow 50% 50 - 99% 400 – 792%
red 100% 100 - 199% 800 – 1592%
red 2x 200 - 399% 1600 -3192%
red 4x 400 - 799% 3200 – 6392%
>8x alternating
flash red/green
Est. Dose per
hour
>800% >6400%
Est. Dose per
8 hours
14
Reading the Display:
What the LEDs Mean
LED Color
The dosimeter uses color-coded LEDs to display noise dose
in percent.
Green (Safe): Noise dose is below 50%
Yellow (Borderline): Noise dose is
greater than 50% and less than 100%
Red (High Risk): Noise dose is greater
than 100%
LED Flash Rate In Normal mode:
· A slow flashing LED at 12.5% means that the noise dose
is at or below 12.5% (i.e., between 0% and 12.5%). A
fast flash at 12.5% indicates the dose exceeds 12.5%
(i.e., dose is between 12.5 and 25%)
· LEDs 25% to 4x flash rapidly when that dose level is
exceeded
· For the bottom LED (8, 16, 32x):
- Regular flash: dose exceeds 8x
- Double flash: dose exceeds 16x
- Fast continuous flash: dose exceeds 32x
In QuickCheck mode:
· All LEDs are solid except the bottom LED, which flashes
green to indicate QuickCheck mode.
· If dose per hour exceeds 8x the bottom LED flashes
alternately red and green.
1515
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