1.1 This standard gives electroacoustical performance specifications for three kinds ofsound measuring instruments: a conventional sound level meter that measures exponential time-weighted sound level; an integrating-averaging sound level meter that measures time-average sound level; and an integrating sound level meter that measures sound exposure level.A single instrument may make any, or all, of the three kinds of measurements. Additionalperformance specifications are given for the measurement of maximum time-weighted soundlevel and peak C sound level. Frequency-weighting A is mandatory for all sound level metersspecified in this standard.1.2 Sound level meters conforming to the requirements of this standard have a specifiedfrequency response for sound incident on the microphone from one principal direction in anacoustic free field or from random directions.1.3 Sound level meters specified in this standard are intended to measure sounds generallyin the range of human hearing.NOTE For measurement of audible sound in the presence of ultrasound, the AU weighting, specified in IEC 61012[1], may be applied.1.4 Two performance categories, class 1 and class 2, are specified in this standard. In general, specifications for class 1 and class 2 sound level meters have the same design goals and differ mainly in the tolerance limits and the range of operational temperatures. Tolerancelimits for class 2 specifications are greater than, or equal to, those for class 1 specifications.1.5 This standard is applicable to a range of designs for sound level meters. A sound levelmeter may be a self-contained hand-held instrument with an attached microphone and a built-in display device. A sound level meter may be comprised of separate components in one ormore enclosures and may be capable of displaying a variety of acoustical signal levels. Soundlevel meters may include extensive analogue or digital signal processing, separately or incombination, with multiple analogue and digital outputs. Sound level meters may include general- purpose computers, recorders, printers, and other devices that form a necessary part of the complete instrument.1.6 Sound level meters may be designed for use with an operator present or for automaticand continuous measurements of sound level without an operator present. Specifications inthis standard for the response to sound waves apply without an operator present in the soundfield.