Determining total dBA
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Determining total dBA
Is there a formula or a general rule of thumb for getting a total dBA from multiple noise producing parts? I figure 3 fans at 15dBA together wouldn't be 45dBA .
Because it is a logarithmic scale, doubling of sound power actually adds a constant to the original dB level. See http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-levelchange.htm. However it can even be the case that adding two sound sources gives lower noise than either one by itself, as happens with noise cancellation equipment, so it is not trivial.
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- SPCR Reviewer
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I use this calculator once in awhile:
http://sphere.sourceforge.net/flik/misc/db.html
http://sphere.sourceforge.net/flik/misc/db.html
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and if you really want to know and not guess you'll have to spend a few hundred dollars on a sound meter. see viewtopic.php?t=47290&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 for pricing.