CAL200

Precision Acoustic Calibrator

Manual
 APPENDIX

Larson Davis
CAL200
Manual

I200.1 Rev H
Copyright
Copyright 2006-2015 by PCB Piezotronics, Inc. This manual is copyrighted, with all rights reserved.
The manual may not be copied in whole or in part for any use without prior written consent of PCB
Piezotronics, Inc.

Trademarks

PCB® is a registered trademark of PCB, Inc.

Disclaimer

The following paragraph does not apply in any state or country where such statements are not
agreeable with local law:

Although PCB Piezotronics, Inc. has reviewed this documentation, PCB Piezotronics Inc. makes no
warranty or representation, either expressed or implied, with respect to this instrument and
documentation, its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose. This
documentation is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment or
representation by PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

This publication may contain inaccuracies or typographical errors. PCB Piezotronics, Inc. will
periodically update the material for inclusion in new editions. Changes and improvements to the
information described in this manual may be made at any time.
Recycling
PCB Piezotronics, Inc. is an environmentally friendly organization and encourages our customers to
be environmentally conscious. When this product reaches its end of life, please recycle the product
through a local recycling center or return the product to:

PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

Attn: Recycling Coordinator
1681 West 820 North
Provo, Utah, USA 84601-1341
where it will be accepted for disposal

Product Warranty

For warranty information, refer to our Terms and Conditions of Sale on our website at
www.larsondavis.com/TermsConditions.aspx.
 CHAPTER

1 Introduction
This chapter describes the features of the Larson Davis
CAL200 Sound Level Calibrator.

Features

The Larson Davis CAL200 sound level calibrator is a

battery operated, precision instrument used for calibrating
sound level meters and other sound measurement
equipment. It provides an output level of either 94.0 or 114.0
dB (switch-selectable) at a frequency of 1 kHz. It has been
designed for both field and laboratory use and the accuracy
has been calibrated to a reference traceable to the National
Institute of Standards and Technology.

The Larson Davis CAL200 Sound Level Calibrator has the

following features:

• Precision sound level calibrator

• Dual output levels: 94.0 dB and 114.0 dB (user

selectable)

• Output frequency 1 kHz

• Internal batteries for portable operation

• Opening for use with 1/2” microphones

• Adaptor ADP031 available for use with 3/8”

microphones

• Adaptor ADP024 available for use with 1/4”

microphones

• Adaptor ADP075 available for use with 1/8”

microphones

CAL200 Manual Introduction 1-1

1-2 Features CAL200 Technical Reference Manual
 CHAPTER

2 Using the CAL200 Calibrator

This chapter describes how to operate the CAL200

calibrator.

Installing the Battery

The CAL200 uses a nine-volt battery and it is recommended

that you use an alkaline battery to extend the running time of
your calibrator. The CAL200 will run for approximately 100
hours on one nine-volt battery when using the 114 dB output
level. This will give you nearly 4200 calibrations.

Follow the steps below to install the battery:

Step 1 Slide the battery door on the lower section of the

back panel up to remove it.

Step 2 Gently pull the battery connector clip sufficiently

outside the interior to permit it to be snapped onto the
battery terminals.

Step 3 Tuck the battery, with the battery connector clip

attached, into the battery compartment

Step 4 Slide the battery door back into place, pressing

until the tab snaps the door securely shut.

Microphone Calibration

The CAL200 provides a nominal tone of 1 kHz, which

requires no weighting corrections when used with sound
level meters utilizing A, B, C or Z (Flat) frequency
weighting.

CAL200 Manual Using the CAL200 Calibrator 2-1

Select the Output Level

The output level is user-selected to be 94.0 or 114.0 dB

using the slide selector on the side of the CAL200. Slide the
switch to lower position for 114.0 dB or to the upper
position for 94.0 dB, as indicated by the label on the lower
left of the front panel.
CAL200 Used to Calibrate an Instrument with ½" Free-Field Microphone

The CAL200 provides a nominal pressure level of 94 dB or

114 dB. The exact levels are printed on the Larson Davis
calibration sheet that came with the calibrator. When using a
free-field microphone, the pressure level at the microphone
diaphragm will be slightly different. Thus, a free field
correction of -0.12 dB should be applied to either of these
levels. Pressure and random incidence microphone do not
require a correction of this type. If the calibrator and
instrument are near room temperature (23° C) and near sea
level (101.3 kPa) then no other corrections need to be made.
If the calibration sheet for the CAL200 indicates 113.98 dB
for its level when set to 114 dB then set the Cal Level in the
instrument to 113.86 dB and 1 kHz.

When the microphone and instrument are at a temperature

other than near room temperature or static pressures not near
sea level, then corrections will need to be added for the
ambient temperature and the prevailing static pressure.
Check the calibration data shipped from Larson Davis with
the CAL200 to get these corrections. The corrections can be
added to the level obtained in the previous paragraph to get
the actual level of the CAL200. The microphone's sensitivity
varies with static pressure. If the instrument is calibrated in
one environment and moved to another, then the sensitivity
will change (after stabilization) depending on the change of
temperature and pressure. The coefficient of static pressure
is typically -0.013 dB/kPa for PCB® ½” free-field
microphones. If the system is calibrated at 85 kPa, for
instance, then it will be 0.21dB less sensitive at sea level.
The sensitivity of the microphone varies slightly with
temperature also. The coefficient of temperature is typically
-0.009 dB/°C for PCB ½” free-field microphones. If the
system is calibrated at 18 °C then it will be 0.05 dB less
sensitive at 23 °C.

2-2 Microphone Calibration CAL200 Manual

Perform the Calibration

To calibrate the microphone, follow the steps below:

WARNING! Do not remove the Step 1 Place the instrument so that you can perform the
microphone gridcap while calibration vertically, as shown in Figure 2-1.
calibrating as this may lead to
microphone damage. Step 2 Insert the proper microphone adapter fully into the
calibrator. Make sure it fits snugly.

Step 3 Insert the microphone fully into the adapter. Make

sure it fits snugly.

The preferred method for calibrating

with the CAL200 is to mount the Top: calibrator stands
preamplifier in a fixed, vertical vertically above mounted
position. preamplifier.

Bottom: mounted
preamplifier,
fixed vertically

FIGURE 2-1 Vertical Positioning

Step 4 With the microphone connected to the instrument

being calibrated, press the CAL200’s ON button. With a
fresh battery, the calibrator will issue a tone for more than 60
seconds before automatically shutting off (see note below).

CAL200 Technical Reference Manual Microphone Calibration 2-3

 Step 5 Make a reading. If the reading is not within
tolerance, refer to the instrument’s manual for instructions
on how to adjust the instrument.

Step 6 Check the ambient noise level to insure that the

calibration was not influenced by noise from external
sources. The CAL200 needs to be on the microphone but
with the CAL200 signal off. External noise levels lower than
89 dB SPL for the 114 dB level calibration, and 69 dB SPL
for the 94 dB calibration level will influence the calibration
by less than 0.015 dB.

Each time the ON button is pressed, As the battery becomes weaker, the calibration tone will not
the CAL200 calibrator will run deteriorate, but the operating time will decrease until the
approximately 60 seconds on a fresh time is too short to accomplish an adequate calibration.
battery. In order for the calibrator to
turn off, do not press the ON button When making a sequence of measurements, a calibration
again. Wait until the calibrator times check and an adjustment (if necessary) of the instrument
out. It is not an ON/OFF button. should be made at the beginning. At the end of the
measurement sequence, the calibration should be checked
again. The inaccuracy of the measurements will be at least
as large as the difference between the level measured for the
initial calibration (or calibration check) and the level
measured for the final calibration check.
Calibration History

Larson Davis strongly recommends that a history of each

calibration adjustment be kept for each piece of equipment.
Normally, most modern equipment requires little or no
adjustment once the initial calibration is performed.
Systematic drifts are possible, and these should be recorded
for corrective action.

Most Larson Davis sound level meters keep a history of each

calibration change that can be printed before an overall reset.
Please refer to the individual instrument manuals for details.
Environmental Precautions

While the CAL200 will perform normally under a wide

variety of gradually changing environmental conditions,

2-4 Microphone Calibration CAL200 Manual

 some precautions should be taken when sudden changes
occur:

• The temperature of the CAL200 should be stable. If the

temperature changes suddenly, provide a stabilization
time of at least 15 minutes. This will ensure that the
temperature compensation sensors are at the same
temperature as the rest of the unit.

• While humidity will not affect the CAL200, avoid

condensing moisture. Also, avoid environments over
90% relative humidity because condensation can easily
take place.

• The CAL200 is insensitive to magnetic fields. However,

the instrument being tested may not be. Therefore,
calibration should not be done near motors, dynamos,
high voltage wires, or other sources of electromagnetic
fields.
Calibrator Calibration

The American National Standards Institute states, “An

acoustical calibrator should be recalibrated at least annually
by the instrument manufacturer or an acoustical test
laboratory qualified to perform calibration.” (American
National Standards Institute. Specifications for Acoustical
Calibrators. ANSI S1.40, 2006, par. 5.2)

Larson Davis believes the frequency of recalibration

depends on the number of calibrators being used and the
number of instruments being calibrated. With this in mind,
the following guidelines are presented for your
consideration:

If a systematic drift of several dB • For one calibrator and one measurement instrument, the
occurs, there is no reliable way to CAL200 should be certified at least yearly.
verify which instrument is at fault,
even though it is more likely to be the • For one calibrator and several measurement instruments,
measurement instrument. one calibration a year is recommended. but if no
systematic drift occurs, every two years might be
satisfactory.

• For several calibrators and several instruments, one

calibration a year is recommended.

CAL200 Technical Reference Manual Microphone Calibration 2-5

 If the CAL200 is being used to calibrate several instruments,
then the history of calibration adjustments can usually
pinpoint which instrument is drifting. If all the measurement
instruments are drifting in the same direction by an amount
you consider significant, the CAL200 should be recertified.
If several instruments and several calibrators are in use, then
the history of calibration adjustments would precisely
pinpoint any problem pieces of equipment. Furthermore, it is
probably satisfactory to recalibrate only one of the
calibrators each year.

2-6 Microphone Calibration CAL200 Manual

 APPENDIX

A Specifications

The specifications contained in this chapter are subject to

change without notice. Please refer to calibration and test
results for data on a specific unit.

Standards Met
• ANSI S1.40-2006, Specifications and Verification Proce-
dures for Sound Calibrators, Class1
• IEC 60942-2003, Class 1, Sound Calibrators
• IEC 61010-1:2001, Safety requirements for electrical
equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use
- Part 1 General Requirements
• IEC 61326-1:2005, Electrical equipment for measure-
ment, control, and laboratory use - EMC requirements

Technical Specifications
Measurement uncertainty and coverage factor information
is shown on test reports that ship with the calibrator.

Calibration sound pressure level 94.0 dB and 114.0 dB ± 0.2 dB

re: 20Pa @ 101.3 kPa, 23 ºC and 50% RH
(114.0 dB is the principal sound pressure level)

Equivalent free-field level -0.12 dB for 1/2” free-field microphones, including

377B02 and other WS2F-compliant free-field
microphones

Frequency 1 kHz ± 1%

Total Harmonic distortion < 2%

Minimum stabilizing time after the 10 seconds

microphone and the calibrator are coupled
together

CAL200 Manual Specifications A-1

 Stability after pressing On ± 0.1 dB after 2 seconds

Static pressure range 65 kPa to 108 kPa, SPL variation will be < ± 0.3 dB

Temperature range SPL variation < ± 0.4 dB Frequency variation < ± 2 Hz

over the range -10 ºC to 50 ºC

Humidity range SPL variation < ± 0.3 dB over the range 10% to 90%
relative humidity (non-condensing)
Frequency variation < ± 2 Hz over the range 10% to
90% relative humidity (non-condensing)

Storage temperature -40 ºC to 60 ºC

Storage humidity 0% to 90% relative humidity (non-condensing)

Effective volume of calibrator 4.15 cm3 (0.253 in.3) with LD Model 2559 microphone
Calibration is not affected by microphone volume.

Dimensions Length 106.1 mm (4.18 in.)

Width 63.4 mm (2.5 in.)
Thickness 25.9 mm (1.02 in.)

Weight 156 gm. (5.5 oz.)

Battery 9 V NEDA 1604A or IEC 6LR61. With sufficient battery

voltage, calibrator will run (after releasing ON button)
for 1 to 1.5 minutes before automatic shutdown. With
insufficient battery voltage, calibrator will not remain
ON after release of button

Battery Voltage Operating Range 6.7 Volts to 10 Volts

Traceability Utilize a 1/2” IEC 61094-4 (WS2P) microphone in

conjunction with other traceable measuring instruments
to establish traceability of the output level and frequency
of the Model CAL200

CE-mark indicates compliance with EMC directive.

Note: The reference orientation for testing the effects of

radio-frequency fields is with the radio-frequency
incident on the calibrator face and the electric field
vector parallel to the axis of the microphone. This is also
the orientation of maximum susceptibility and emissions

Table A-1 CAL200 Specifications

A-2 Technical Specifications CAL200 Manual

Microphone Types

According to IEC 61094-4:1995

1/2” WS2P, WS2F and WS2D microphones; no adaptor
required.
1/4” WS3P, WS3F and WS3D microphones with
ADP024 adaptor.
According to IEC 61094-1:2000
1/2” LS2P
Other Microphones
3/8” with ADP031 adaptor
4180 Microphone
The CAL200 level correction is +0.26 dB

CAL200 Technical Reference Manual Technical Specifications A-3

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A-4 CE Mark Declaration of Conformity CAL200 Manual