Standards and regulations
ISO 9614
Also known as ISO 9614, sound power determination standard.
The ISO 9614 series specifies methods for determining sound-power levels (PWL) from sound-intensity measurements. It is the international reference for measuring total acoustic output from a source — distinct from sound-pressure measurement at a single point, which depends on distance and direction.
Why it matters for sonic-horn specification
Vendor SPL figures published at 1 m on the bell axis are useful but incomplete — two horns with identical 150 dB SPL at 1 m can deliver different total sound power if their directivity differs. ISO 9614 sound-power measurement is the rigorous way to compare total acoustic output between competing horn designs, and a more meaningful figure for predicting cleaning coverage inside a vessel.
In practice, sound-power data is rarely published on commercial horn datasheets but can be requested for specification or third-party-verified comparisons.
Related terms
Related terms
- Sound power vs sound pressureSound power is the total acoustic energy a source emits per second and is a property of the source. Sound pressure is what a microphone measures at a point and falls with distance.
- Sound pressure levelSPL is the logarithmic measure of sound pressure in decibels relative to a 20 µPa reference. Industrial sonic horns operate at 140–180 dB SPL.
- DecibelThe decibel is a logarithmic ratio used to express sound pressure, sound intensity and sound power. A 10 dB rise represents a tenfold rise in intensity.