Part A BASIC NOISE EMISSION STANDARDF1

Manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall use the basic noise emission standard EN ISO 3744:2010 to determine the sound power level LWA, subject to the general supplements laid down in this Part A. Manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall apply all clauses in EN ISO 3744:2010 unless otherwise stated in this Part A, or in the applicable noise test code laid down in Part B of this Schedule.

1. OPERATION OF THE NOISE SOURCE DURING THE TEST

1.1. Fan speed

Any fans fitted to the engine of the equipment or its hydraulic system shall operate during the test. Manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall set the fan speed in accordance with the requirements laid down in points (a) to (d), as applicable, and state that fan speed in the test report and use it in further measurements. Fans shall not operate in reverse mode during tests.

1. (a)

   Fan drive directly connected to the engine or its hydraulic system: A fan drive that is directly connected to the engine or its hydraulic equipment shall operate during the test.

2. (b)

   Fan drive with several distinct speeds: A fan that can work at several distinct speeds shall be tested in either of the following ways:

   1. (i)

      at its maximum working speed;

   2. (ii)

      in a first test with the fan set at zero speed, and in a second test with the fan set at maximum speed.

For the purposes of point (ii), the resulting A-weighted surface sound pressure level L_pA shall be calculated by combining both test results using the following equation:

where:

• L_pA,0% is the A-weighted surface sound pressure level determined with the fan set at zero speed;

• L_pA,100% is the A-weighted surface sound pressure level determined with the fan set at maximum speed;

1. (c)

   Fan drive with continuous variable speed: A fan that can work at continuous variable speed shall be tested in accordance with point 1.1(b) or with the fan speed set at no less than 70 % of the maximum speed. Visco-static fans, which are automatically regulated by the engine temperature, shall be considered to work at continuous variable speed irrespective of the origin of the control;

2. (d)

   Equipment with more than one fan: Where a machine is equipped with more than one fan, all fans shall run under the conditions specified in (a), (b) or (c), as applicable.

1.2. Test of powered equipment free of load

Before measuring the noise emitted by powered equipment free of load, manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall warm up the engine and hydraulic system of the equipment in accordance with the instructions of use and shall observe the safety requirements.

Manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall measure the noise with the equipment in stationary position, without operating the working equipment or travelling mechanism. For the purpose of the measurement, the engine shall idle at no less than the rated speed corresponding to the net power.

Where the machine is powered by a generator or from the mains, the frequency of the supply current, specified for the motor by the manufacturer, shall be stable at ± 1 Hz if the machine is equipped with an induction motor, and the supply voltage at ± 1% of the rated voltage if the machine is equipped with a commutator motor. The supply voltage shall be measured at the plug of a non-detachable cable or cord, or at the inlet of the machine if a detachable cable is provided. The waveform of the current supplied from the generator shall be similar to that obtained from the mains.

Where multiple voltage ranges are labelled at the machine, manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall take the measurements at the highest labelled voltage range. If the voltage range is 220-240 V, the test shall be carried out at 230 V.

If the machine is powered by one or more batteries, the batteries shall be charged to at least 70% of its capacity.

The rated speed used, and the corresponding net power, shall be stated by the manufacturers or their authorised representatives in the test report.

Where the equipment has several engines, those engines shall work simultaneously during the measurements, unless that is not possible, in which case the noise emissions of each possible combination of engines shall be measured.

1.3. Test of powered equipment under load

Before measuring the noise emitted by powered equipment under load, manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall warm up the engine (driving device) and hydraulic system of the equipment in accordance with the instructions of use, and shall observe safety requirements. The manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall not operate a signalling device, such as a warning horn or reversing alarm, during the measurement.

Manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall record the speed or velocity of the equipment during the measurement and state that speed or velocity in the test report.

Where the equipment is fitted with several engines or aggregates, those engines or aggregates shall work simultaneously during the measurements, unless that is not possible, in which case manufacturers shall measure noise of each possible combination of engines or aggregates.

Manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall lay down specific operating conditions for each type of equipment under load. The specific operating conditions shall, as much as possible, produce effects and stresses similar to those encountered under actual working conditions.

1.4. Test of hand-operated equipment

Manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall lay down conventional operating conditions for each type of hand-operated equipment that produce effects and stresses similar to those undergone under actual working conditions.

2. DETERMINATION OF THE SURFACE SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL

Manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall determine the surface sound pressure level at least three times. If at least two of the determined values do not differ by more than 1 dB, further measurements will not be necessary. Where that is not the case, manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall continue the measurements until they obtain two values that differ by no more than 1 dB. The A-weighted surface sound pressure level that manufacturers or their authorised representatives are to use for calculating the sound power level shall be the arithmetic mean of the two highest values that do not differ by more than 1 dB.

Where possible, manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall take the noise measurements at all the microphone positions simultaneously. This is especially important for dynamic tests. Where that is not possible, manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall take special care to ensure stable conditions in the test environment and to minimise the risks of including undesired variations in the noise emitted by the machine or by any other factors, including background noise and wind speed.

3. INFORMATION TO BE REPORTED

The test report, which is required within the technical documentation provided for in Schedule 8 (Annex V to the Directive), paragraph 3, Schedule 9 (Annex VI to the Directive), paragraph 3, Schedule 10 (Annex VII to the Directive), paragraph 2 and Schedule 11 (Annex VIII to the Directive), paragraphs 3.1 and 3.3, shall contain the technical data necessary to identify the noise source under test, the noise test code and the acoustical data used for and obtained during the test.

The value of the A-weighted sound power level of the noise source under test that is to be reported shall be rounded to the nearest whole number (less than 0,5 use the lower whole number; if it is greater than or equal to 0,5 use the higher whole number).

4. ENVIRONMENTAL CORRECTION K_2A

Manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall determine the environmental correction K_2A in accordance with EN ISO 3744:2010, Section 4.3.

If K_2A ≤ 0,5 dB, it can be neglected.

If K_2A > 4 dB, the test environment does not comply with the requirements of these Regulations and shall be modified.

Manufacturers or their authorised representatives shall use the specifications for the environmental correction laid down in the noise test code for specific equipment referred to in Part B of this Schedule where such specifications exist.