MEASURING THE NOISE LEVEL OF LOADED ELECTRIC MOTORS
J.L. CRAGGS
MEMBER, IEEE
Siemens Energy 6i Automation, Inc.
4620 Forest Ave., Norwood, Ohio 45212
Abstract - Traditionally, electric motor
noise level is specified and measured at
no-load conditions. This is primarily due to
the difficulty of separating motor noise from
driven machine noise and other environmental
noise when motors are loaded. However, when
motors are placed in service they are always
loaded, and any regulatory requirements for
noise levels in the workplace are based on
the noise levels which prevail when all
equipment is in full operation. To address
this situation, methods have been explored
for measuring the noise level of loaded
motors on the manufacturer's test floor.
Methods considered include quieting the
loading device, utilizing a noise testing
enclosure at the load test area, and
utilizing the sound intensity measuring
technique. Each method is examined, and the
merits of each are reviewed. Test data is
evaluated for a specific situation where the
use of the sound intensity testing method
proved to be the preferred solution.
I. INTRODUCTION
For many years it has been the practice in
the electric motor industry to specify motor
noise levels and testing of noise levels with
the motor running idle at rated voltage.
This approach was taken due to difficulties
in using loading devices in a sound testing
area. Thus testing was for the noise emana-
ted from the motor alone, without extraneous
influences such as mounting arrangement,
noise contribution from loading equipment,
etc. NEMA, ANSI and IEEE standards presently
deal with noise levels and testing procedures
for unloaded electric motors only.
The shortcoming of this approach is that the
user of an electric motor almost never
operates it without load. Thus, his concern
is only with noise levels of loaded motors.
Literature has been written, based on testing
programs, which provides general guidelines
to the effect that motor noise will increase
approximately 0 to 3 or 4 dB(A) when load is
applied 111. However, magnetic noise under
load may increase more than this, resulting
in misunderstandings and sometimes conflict
between motor manufacturers and users.
The noise level measured at the jobsite is
further complicated by the noise produced by
the connected load and any other noise
sources in the area. Also, noise can be
amplified due to effects of the acoustical
environment itself, such as reflected noise,
reverberations, etc.
This paper addresses means of measuring the
noise output of loaded electric motors by the
motor supplier at the factory in a manu-
facturing environment. By taking this
approach, the noise attributed directly to
the motor at the final jobsite can be a known
entity, and thus noise evaluations there can
239
utilize this information in studying the
overall noise characteristics measured at the
site.
11. BACKGROUND
As background for the noise testing informa-
tion which follows, the various means of
expressing sound are reviewed in Appendix B.
111. MEASURING THE NOISE PRODUCED
BY A LOADED MOTOR
There are significant problems associated
with measuring the noise of loaded motors.
These include high ambient noise levels which
can be due to the loading equipment or other
noise sources in the shop areas. Also a poor
acoustical environment can amplify noise
levels as a result of reverberations and
sound reflections from nearby structures and
equipment.
To address these problems in a motor manu-
facturing area, three basic approaches are
considered. They include:
Quieting of the loading equipment and
other sources to reduce the ambient
noise level around the motor being
tested to a level conducive to making
conventional sound pressure level
readings of motor noise.
Construction of a noise testing room or
enclosure around the machine being
tested. This enclosure would shelter
the motor from noise produced by the
load machine or other sources, and would
provide a suitable internal environment
for performing noise tests on a loaded
motor.
Employ a relatively new noise measure-
ment technique which uses sound intens-
ity measurement as a means of determin-
ing the motor noise level. This
approach is considered because it can be
performed in the presence of high
ambient noise sources and/or a poor
acoustical environment.
A. Quieting the Load Machine and other Test
Equipment.
A dynamometer or loading generator is often
the most severe noise source in the vicinity
of a motor being tested under load. However,
ambient noise from other sources must also be
considered. For instance, in many cases, one
or more auxiliary motor-generator sets must
be in operation in conjunction with a dyna-
mometer when it is in use.
To evaluate this approach it is necessary
that the ambient noise level be measured with
the dynamometer and all necessary auxiliary
equipment run-ling. This can then be compared
CH2973-6 91 0000-0239 $1 00 c 1991 IEEE

to the expected noise levels of the motors to
be tested, and from this it can then be
determined whether this approach to noise
testing under load is feasible.
In Table I examples are shown of the noise
levels produced by two different dynamo-
meters and their auxiliary equipment in their
test areas as compared with the no-load noise
level of a typical large electric motor. A 3
dB margin over ambient noise level is normal-
ly needed for meaningful sound pressure level
testing [ 2 ] . Thus it can be seen that the
ambient noise levels in both areas are too
high to enable acquiring accurate sound
pressure levels produced by the motor either
with or without load. Options could include
quieting of the test area and equipment or
the use of a different approach.
B. Constructina a Noise Testing Enclosure
Around the Motor beincr Tested.
An enclosure for enabling the noise testing
of a loaded motor must have several qualities
which include:
0
Walls must have high enough transmission
loss to limit the entry of surrounding
noise from the dynamometer and other
sources.
0
Must be large enough so that its pres-
ence will not distort noise readings
taken inside of it.
0
Must be portable or provided with
openings to enable access for motor
entry and test setup.
0
Must be ventilated to avoid overheating
the motor being tested.
IEEE 8 5 defines the requirements of test
enclosures needed for noise testing of
electric motors. Table I1 lists some of the
requirements [ 2 ] . The specific enclosure
design would be determined by these needs
plus geometric details of the line of motors
to be tested within it.
C. Testina via the Sound Intensity Method.
The sound intensity method of measuring the
noise produced by a piece of equipment has
been substantially developed and refined
within the last fifteen years. It utilizes a
two microphone probe which measures both
magnitude and direction of the flow of sound
energy. As a result it has the advantage
that it can compensate for a relatively poor
acoustical environment with reverberations
and reflecting surfaces, and it can also
compensate for an ambient sound pressure

TABLE I
NOISE LEVEL COMPARISONS
(All values are Sound Pressure Level, Ref. 2 0 x Pascals)
Octave Band Center Frea. Overall

125 250 500 1 0 0 0 2000 4000 8000 A Lin

Ambient in test )
area with ) Test Area A 84 83 80 80 76 74.5 70 84.5 89
dynamometer
and aux. ) Test Area B 90 88.5 83 8 2 . 5 84 83 81 89.5 94 . 5
equipment
running 1
Noise level of
typical quiet
motor at 1 meter
in a free field 81 87 78 13 76 76 65 83 89

TABLE I1
NOISE TESTING ROOM REQUIREMENTS PER IEEE 8 5 [ 2 ]
A. Reverberant Room

1. 180 m3 is minimum size ( 6 3 5 7 ft3)

2. Proportions are 1 : ( 1 . 1 7 to 1 . 4 5 ) : ( 1 . 4 7 to 2 . 1 )

3. Machine tested cannot be closer than 1 m to the ceiling or any wall.

4. Measurements must be made at a distance from t motor surface of at

least one maximum machine dimension or 2/3 (V)’” whichever is great-
er, where V is the volume of the test room.
B. Semi-Reverberant Room

1. Microphone cannot be closer than 1 m to ceiling or any wall, or any

reflecting surface.
2. Microphone must be no closer than 1 m to the motor surface for medium
and large machines, or 0.3 m for small machines.
240
level higher than that produced by the
machine being tested. These characteristics
make the sound intensity method attractive
for performing noise tests in adverse condi-
tions such as for loaded motors in a shop
area or in a field installation.
1. Description of Sound Intensity: Sound
intensity describes the rate of flow of
sound energy through a particular area [31.
Sound intensity is measured in watts per
square meter of surface and is expressed in
decibels with reference to watts (one
picowatt) per square meter. Thus [4]
LIn = 10 loglo
I.[
9 dB
Where IInI = Sound intensity normal to the
surface being considsred
(1)
= Reference level of 1 pW/m
Io
The sound power emitted through a portion of
a surface is then [4]
Pi = Ini si
Where Ini = the signed magnitude of the
normal sound intensity component
measured at position i of a
measuring surface
Si = area of segment i of the
measuring surface
Using this approach, a measuring surface can
be established around the object being
tested (in this case, an electric motor).
The total measuring surface can be divided
into several convenient parts for testing,
and the sound power can be measured for each
individual portion of the measuring surface
via sound intensity measurements. The total
sound power level of the source is then
expfzssed in decibels with reference to
10 watts. Thus [4]
(3)
L
Where N = total number of measuring sur-
face segments
Reference level of 1pW
Po =
The sound intensity as measured includes
reflected sound from closely located reflec-
tive surfaces (such as the floor) as part of
its input. More than one reflective surface
can be used and still allow correct results
to be achieved.
a) Several standards for measuring the
sound power level of an object are in the
draft stage both in Europe and in the USA
at the time of writing this paper. They
are :
ISO/DIS 9614-1 [4]
ANSI S12.12-198X [5]
Both dwell heavily on measuring techniques
and on evaluations to determine that
sufficient accuracy is being obtained.
b) Present experience indicates that the
sound intensity measurements are accurate
241
with amblent noise levels up to approxi-
mately 10 dB higher than that of the
object being tested if the source is at a
distance (15 to 20 ft.) from the motor,
and up to 5 dB higher if the source is
very close (3 to 6 ft.) to the test
object. It should be noted from the above
that in both cases the sound intensity
method is applicable when the ambient
noise level is higher than that of the
object being tested.
2. Shop Tryout of Sound Intensity Method:
The first tryout of the sound intensity
method in a shop environment involved
testing a reasonably quiet large motor
direct coupled to a dynamometer which was
quite noisy. The test motor was initially
tested at no load per IEEE 8 5 in a sound
laboratory, to establish its sound power
level. Then it was coupled to the dynamo-
meter in test area B, but with no shaft
load, since the dynamometer losses were
supplied by a DC machine which was also
coupled to the dynamometer. This sound
intensity test provided very poor results
with errors in excess of 10 dB in some
octave bands. The noisy dynamometer locat-
ed very close (directly coupled) to the
test motor was believed to be the cause.
In a second test sequence a reflective
sound barrier was inserted between the
motor and dynamometer as shown in Fig. 1 6r
2. This barrier blocked the direct high
noise level impingement onto the testing
area from the dynamometer, and it provided
a second reflecting plane which eliminated
the need to make measurements between the
dynamometer and the test motor. The
coupling between the motor and dynamometer
operated with a small radial clearance
within a hole in the barrier to avoid
significant sound leakage. See Fig. 3.
Sound intensity tests were taken on a
measuring surface (as in Fig. 1) which was
10 inches from the motor. Measurement
points were spaced 18 inches apart on this
surface. The results of this testing
showed good correlation with the sound
Fig. 1. Arrangement of reflecting barrier.
Fig. 2 . Motor on test with barrier in place Fig. 3 . Sealing aroundcoupling where it
passes through barrier

TABLE I11
NOISE TESTING OF 1250 HP, 2 POLE MOTOR
(All values are Sound Power Level, Ref. watts)
(Sound Pressure Level at 1 meter in a free Field is 1 2 . 4 dB lower)

Octave Band Center Frea. Overall

125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 A Lin
Tested at No-Load in a
Reverberant Sound Lab 94.6 95.5 91.9 87.7 89.1 83.7 72.2 95.3 100.5

Tested w/o shaft load while )

coupled to dynamometer 1
with barrier in place, using) 93.2 96.9 9 2 . 6 88.2 89.1 83.9 73.0 95.5 100.2
sound intensity method 1
(Test area B). 1
Tested at 1 . 1 5 SF load ) 92.7 97.2 91.6 87.8 91.9 88.2 71.9 96.8 100.5
while coupled to dynamometer)
with barrier in place, using)
sound intensity method 1
TABLE IV
NOISE TESTING OF 700 HP, 2 POLE MOTOR
(All Values are Sound Power Level, Ref. watts)
(Sound Pressure Level at 1 meter in a free Field is 1 1 . 2 dB lower)

Octave Band Center Frea. Overall

125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 A Lin
Tested at No-Load in a
Reverberant Sound Lab 85.5 91.4 95.4 95.6 94.8 92.9 86.2 101.2 101.6

Tested coupled to dynamometer

with barrier in place, using
sound intensity method
(Test Area A)

Distance
-
Load from Motor Spacinq

None 10" 18" 8 8 . 1 92.6 94.2 94.3 94.5 93.5 85.7 100.8 101.7
None 24" 24" 89.0 94.3 95.7 95.9 9 4 . 0 92.6 84.6 100.9 102.3
None 36" 36" 90.5 92.2 9 4 . 0 93.7 93.6 92.4 85.7 99.9 101.3
Full Load 10" 18" 87.8 92.5 94.2 94.3.92.6 90.8 87.4 99.6 100.9
Full Load 24" 24" 89.0 91.6 93.4 92.9 91.3 89.6 85.7 9 8 . 1 100.0
242

I , 1
power levels obtained in the sound labora-
tory. A comparison is shown in Table 111.
When this particular motor was tested at a
1.15 service factor load there was an in-
crease of 2.8 dB and 4.8 dB in the 2000 Hz
and 4000 Hz octave bands respectively, but
due to the distribution of sound frequencies
this resulted in an overall increase of only
1.3 dB(A). Note that the results are tabul-
ated in sound power level. For this size
machine the sound pressure level in a free
field at a distance of 1 meter from the motor
would be 12.4 dB lower.
References
[l] R. Brozek, "NO Load to Full Load Airborne
Noise Level Change on High Speed Poly-
phase Induction Motors," IEEE/PCI Confer-
ence Paper No. PCI-72-8, Fig. 21 through
27.
[2] The Institute of Electrical & Electronic
Engineers, Inc., IEEE Test Procedure for
Airborne Sound Measurements on Rotatinq
Electric Machinery, IEEE Standard 85-1973
(R 1980).

In a third test sequence, another motor was [3] Gunnar Rasmussen, "Intensity - Its
tested at no-load first in the sound lab per Measurement and Uses," Sound and
IEEE 85, and then in test area A, using a Vibration, Vol. 23, Number 3, March 1989,
barrier between the motor and the dynamome- p. 12-21.
ter. In this case sound intensity measure-
ments were made on measuring surfaces at [4] International Organization for Standard
lo", 24", and 36" from the motor being ization, Acoustics - Determination of
tested, with spacings between readings being Sound Power Levels of Noise Sources usinq
at l8", 24"' and 36" respectively. Results Sound Intensity - Measurement at Discrete
are tabulated in Table IV. In addition there Points, Draft International Standard
were extensive evaluations of the various ISO/DIS 9614-1.
indicators as defined by the draft of ISO/DIS
9614-1 [4], and these results are included in [5] American National Standards Institute,
Appendix A. Again, there is good agreement Enqineerinq Method for the Determination
between measurements per IEEE 85 and those of Sound Power Levels of Noise Sources
made by the sound intensity method. The using Sound Intensity, Proposed ANSI
sound intensity values taken closest to the S12.12 - 198X (ASA XX).
motor (on the 10" surface) show slightly
better agreement, particularly in the 125 Hz [6] National Electrical Manufacturers
octave band, but the overall readings show Association, Motors and Generators, NEMA
good consistency as the distance of the Publication No. MGl-1987.
measuring surface from the machine is in-
creased. Note that the sound power of the [ I ] American National Standards Institute,
motor actually decreased slightly at full Inc., American National Standard for
load due to a noticeable decrease in windage Polvphase Induction Motors for Power
noise when the motor speed decreased due to Generatinq Stations, ANSI C50.41-1982.
slip. This reduction in noise output would
not have been known prior to having a noise
testing method for loaded motors. Also note
that the results of this testing sequence are
again expressed in sound power level. For
this motor the sound pressure level in a free
field at a distance of 1 meter from the motor
would be 11.2 dB lower.
In the tests described the results at no-load
using the sound intensity test method were
consistently close to those achieved when
testing per IEEE 85. This is noteworthy when
considering that the accuracy of the IEEE
method itself is stated to be within 2 3 dB.
IV. CONCLUSIONS

Based on the testing performed and the

investigations made, it is concluded that
testing the noise level of loaded electric
motors is feasible by any of the three
methods examined. The choice of test method
is dictated primarily by the nature of
prevailing conditions in the manufacturer's
shop, along with considerations of economics
and convenience of usage. In the case
history outlined in this paper, these factors
point toward the use of the sound intensity
method. The test results and evaluations
made using the sound intensity approach show
that very good accuracy is achievable, and
that the method lends itself well to applica-
tion in a shop environment.

243
 APPENDIX A
Evaluation of Field Indicators
Per June 29, 1989,
draft of ISO/DIS 9614-1 [4]
The June 29, 1989, draft of ISO/DIS 9614-1
was the latest available when this paper was
being drafted. This standard proposes the
use of a number of factors and sound field
indicators which are aimed at assuring
certain levels of accuracy when specified
criteria are met. The field indicators were
determined by test when test sequence 3 was
being performed using the sound intensity
method.
The first factor is merely a check of the
instrument being used, wherein the probe is
reversed and a repeat reading is taken.
Equal and opposite values are expected here,
within 1.5 dB, and this was found to be the
case.
Indicator F , the surface pressure-intensity
indicator, %wolves determining the differ-
ence between the sound pressure level and the
unsigned sound intensity level on the measur-
ing surface for each octave band. This value
must then be compared to the capability of
the equipment being used for testing. This
comparison is shown in Table A - 1 . Note that
the pressure-intensity indicator is not well
defined in the 8K octave band. The litera-
ture from the instrument supplier indicates
that an additional error of 1-2 dB could
occur in this octave band with the microphone
spacing used in this testing program.
Indicator F3 is similar to F2 except that
sinned values of intensity readings are used
in the evaluation. - F exceeds a
value of 3.0, there :f,"ae a 2eed for a
higher density of test points, or to make the
measuring surface at a closer distance to the
motor. Test values of F3 are tabulated in
Table A-2.
Indicator F is a check to determine if an
adequate n d b e r of points was used in making
sound intensity measurements. In general, it
is required that
N > CF42 (4)
Where N = the total number of test locations
used on the entire measuring
surface
F4 = a factor determined by test
''C" for Engineering Octave Band
(Class 2) Measurements Center Frequency
8 63-125
15 250-500
28 1000-4000
10 6300
In some test tryouts where this category was
not met, it was found that accurate results
were still achieved. Thus, it is not certain
that this criterion is always necessary for
testing electric motors. Test values for
indicator F4 are shown in Table A-3.
Indicator F is a check of the averaging time
required w h h making sound intensity read-
ings. There seemed to be quite a range of
values found at the lower frequency 125 Hz
octave band. Results are shown in Table A-4.
Tests reported in test sequence 3 were all
taken with an averaging time of 8 seconds.

TABLE A - 1
FIELD INDICATOR F2, SURFACE PRESSURE-INTENSITY INDICATOR

Spacing
Distance between Octave Band Center Freu.
from Motor Points 125 250 500
10" 18" 5.63 5.97 3.85 3.58 2.66 2.43 3.86

24" 18" 4.11 4.13 3.19 3.42 3.78 4.20 4.07

36" 18" 6.59 5.46 4.29 4.27 3.14 2.92 3.17

Specified Max. Value

for Instrument used 8 11 15 17 17 17 Undefined

TABLE A-2
FIELD INDICATOR F3, NEGATIVE PARTIAL POWER INDICATOR
Spacing
Distance between Octave Band Center Freu.
from Motor Points -
125 -
250 -
500 -
1000 -
2000 -
4000 -
8000

10" 18" 6.14 6.25 3.92 3.58 2.67 2.47 3.97

24" 18" 4.11 4.13 3.19 3.42 3.78 4.20 4.07

36'' 36" 6.65 5.46 4.29 4.27 3.14 2.92 3.17

244
 TABLE A-3
FIELD INDICATOR F4, NON-UNIFORMITY INDICATOR
Spacing
Distance between Octave Band Center Freq.
from Motor Points 125 250 500 ~~~E
10" 18" 1.16 .93 1.07 .81 1.13 1.36 1.18
24" 1 8" .50 .81 .99 .38 .37 .49 .44
36" 36" .90 .64 .54 .29 .82 .96 .71

TABLE A-4
FIELD INDICATOR F5, TEMPORAL VARIABILITY INDICATOR

Number of Average Octave Band Center Freq.

of Trials Time (sec) -
125 250 500 ~~~~

(10 2 .628 .099 .048 .031 .053 .150 .167

No (10 8 .728 .064 .041 .022 .018 .062 .082
Load (10 32 .120 .033 .025 .011 .058 .116 .089

(10 2 .131 .126 ,091 .064 .036 .093 .536

Full (10 8 .126 .145 .076 .020 .035 .051 .482
Load ( 10 32 .091 .083 .023 .063 .031 ,020 .144

APPENDIX B where Lp = sound pressure level in decibels

Review of Terminology to Express Sound
As a background for the noise testing
information in this paper, some of the
various means of expressing sound should be
reviewed. Basically, a source of sound
radiates sound power into the surrounding
atmosphere. The effect of this radiated
sound power is pressure. This pressure is
what is sensed when the ear hears a sound
[31.
Sound power which is radiated from a sound
source is measured in watts. It is a fixed
entity for a given sound source, and it is
unaffected by environmental considerations.
The term "sound power level" is used to
define the wattage being radiated from a
sound source. It is expressed as a ratio to
a standard reference level. The standard way
of expressing this quantity is as 10 times
the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of
a given sound power to the reference power
[21. r i
where
Lw = 10 log
Lw =
P
I Po I
L A
(5)
p = measured sound pressure
po = referenczg sound pressure of
20 x 10 Pascals
The sound pressure level observed is depend-
ent upon distance from the sound source and
upon the effects of other sound sources, room
reverberations, reflected sound, and atmos-
pheric conditions. However, if the sound
power level of a sound source is known, its
sound pressure level in a free field at any
distance from the source can be readily
determined.
Sound Intensity describes the rate of flow of
sound energy through a particular area [3].
Thus, if one considers a sound source to be
completely enclosed by a theoretical surface,
the average intensity of the flow of sound
power through that surface would be the sound
power divided by the area of the surface.
The standard way of expressing this quantity
is as 10 times the logarithm to the base 10
of the ratio of the sound intensity to the
reference intensity [41.
- -

sound power level, in decibels L'o I

(7)

P = total sound power radiated where LIn = sound intensity level in

from a sound source, if2watts
Po = reference power of 10 watts,
or 1pW
Sound pressure, which is the observable
result of a radiated sound, is what is heard
by the human ear, and also what is measured
by a conventional sound level meter. This
pressure is expressed as a ratio to a
reference pressure. The standard way of
expressing this quantity is as 20 times the
logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the
sound pressure to the refe_renc_epressure [2].
decibeIs
lInl = sound intensity normal to the
surface being considered
= reference intensity of IpW/m2
Sound power level is used to define the noise
produced by electric motors in NEMA and ANSI
standards [6] [7]. However, many users
specify the sound pressure level at 1 meter
from the motor in a free sound field. IEEE
85 prescribes how to measure the sound power
level of an unloaded motor under controlled
conditions, and it shows how to convert that
value into the sound pressure level which
would be observed at a specified distance
from the motor in a free sound field [2].

245