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Accoustical Noise Level


Acoustical sound measurement of SUNON fans is made in anechoic room with background noise less than 15 dBA. The measured fan is running in free air with a microphone at a distance of one meter from the fan intake.

Sound Pressure Level (SPL), which is environmentally dependent, and Sound Power Level (SPL) are defined as following :

SPL = 20¡ê P¡þPref   and  SWL = 10¡ê W¡þWref

where,
  • P = Pressure
  • Pref = A reference pressure
  • W = Acoustic power of the source
  • Wref = An acoustic reference power

Fan noise data is usually plotted as SPL against the octave frequency bands. The following provides an indication of the effect of dBA changes :

  • 3 dBA Barely Noticeable
  • 5 dBA Noticeable
  • 10 dBA Twice as loud

Noise levels :

  • 0 ~ 20 dBA Very Faint
  • 20 ~ 40 dBA Faint
  • 40 ~ 60 dBA Moderate
  • 60 ~ 80 dBA Loud
  • 80 ~ 100 dBA Very Loud
  • 100 ~ 140 dBA Deafening
How to Achieve Low Noise

The following five guidelines provide fan users the best approaches in minimizing fan noise.
  1. System Impedance
    As known, the area between inlet and outlet ports of a cabinet make up 60% to 80% of the total system impedance. In addition, the greater the air flow is, the higher the noise level is. The higher the total system impedance is, the more air flow is required to provide the necessary cooling. Therefore, system impedance must be reduced to the lowest possible level in order to reduce noise to the least.
  2. Flow Disturbance
    Obstructions along the path of the flow of the turbulent air generated noise. Thus, obstructions, especially in the critical inlet and outlet area, must be avoided to reduce noise level.
  3. Fan Speed and Size
    Since a high speed fan usually generates greater noise than a low speed fan does, a low speed fan should be tried and used whenever possible. Very often, a larger, slower fan is quieter than a smaller, faster fan while delivering the same air flow.
  4. Temperature Rise
    Air flow is inversely proportional related to allowable temperature rise within a system. A little change in the allowable temperature rise leads to a significant change in air flow required. Therefore, if there is a little compromise to the limit imposed on allowable temperature rise, there will be a considerably less amount of air flow required. As a result, noise is remarkably reduced.
  5. Vibration
    In some cases, the system is light in weight or specified in some certain operating methods, a soft and flexible isolator is highly recommended to avoid the vibration transmission.
  6. Voltage Variation
    Voltage variation affects the level of acoustic noise. When the higher voltage is applied to the fan, the higher vibration is generated due to the increased RPM. Thus, the higher noise level is generated.
  7. Design Considerations
    The design of every component of the fan affects the level of acoustic noise. Low noise levels can be achieved by dimension of winding core, by design of impeller blades and housing and by precision manufacturing and balance.