EN ISO 7779:2001/prA2

Overview

EN ISO 7779:2001/prA2 is an important international standard that addresses the measurement of airborne noise emitted by information technology and telecommunications equipment. As an amendment to ISO 7779:2001, it incorporates updates relating to measurement surfaces, equipment installation and operation procedures, and the detection of prominent discrete tones. This document plays a critical role in ensuring that noise measurements in IT and telecom devices are accurate, consistent, and aligned with modern technological conditions.

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) ratified this amendment without modifications, reinforcing its significance across European and international markets. By standardizing noise measurement practices, EN ISO 7779:2001/prA2 supports manufacturers, regulators, and users in managing acoustic performance and compliance.

Key Topics

• Measurement Surfaces Revision
  The amendment clarifies and revises the surfaces on which noise measurements should be conducted. This ensures improved reproducibility and relevance in measurements of equipment noise emissions.

• Installation and Operation Procedures
  It updates guidelines for installing and operating equipment under test conditions to reflect current IT and telecommunications hardware setups. This helps simulate realistic usage scenarios, leading to more reliable noise data.

• Detection of Prominent Discrete Tones
  The document introduces refined criteria and procedures for identifying discrete tonal components within the noise spectrum. This is crucial for assessing the potential annoyance or impact of tones on end users.

• Integration with Existing Standards
  EN ISO 7779:2001/prA2 has been integrated into later versions (including EN ISO 7779:2001/A1:2003) to provide a comprehensive and harmonized framework for airborne noise measurement.

Applications

This standard is vital for a range of stakeholders concerned with acoustic emissions from IT and telecommunications equipment:

• Manufacturers use this standard to design and test products that meet regulatory noise requirements and customer expectations for quiet operation.

• Testing laboratories apply the standard to conduct reproducible, reliable airborne noise assessments, aiding in certification and compliance processes.

• Regulatory bodies rely on this standardized measurement methodology to control noise pollution and to enforce limits for IT and telecom devices.

• Environmental and occupational health experts utilize the standard to evaluate workplace noise levels and mitigate potential hearing risks related to equipment noise.

Related Standards

• ISO 7779:2001 - The base standard specifying the original procedures and requirements for airborne noise measurement emitted by IT and telecommunication equipment.

• EN ISO 7779:2001/A1:2003 - Amendment 1, which enhanced aspects of the original ISO 7779 standard.

• ISO/IEC 9296 - Provides a declaration of noise emission values for computer and business equipment, complementing measurement procedures.

• ISO 3744 - General methods for determining sound power levels of noise sources in a reverberant environment.

These related standards, together with EN ISO 7779:2001/prA2, create a robust framework for addressing acoustic emissions in information technology contexts, ensuring consistent product quality and regulatory compliance across regions.

Keywords: airborne noise measurement, information technology equipment noise, telecommunications equipment acoustics, noise emission standards, noise test procedures, discrete tone detection, EN ISO 7779 amendment, technical noise regulation, CEN acoustic standards, noise measurement surfaces.