Wind turbine sound power measurements

• Published in: The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America Vol. 139; no. 3; pp. 1431 - 1435
• Main Authors: Keith, Stephen E., Feder, Katya, Voicescu, Sonia A., Soukhovtsev, Victor, Denning, Allison, Tsang, Jason, Broner, Norm, Richarz, Werner, van den Berg, Frits
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-03-2016
• ISSN: 0001-4966; 1520-8524
• DOI: 10.1121/1.4942405

This paper provides experimental validation of the sound power level data obtained from manufacturers for the ten wind turbine models examined in Health Canada's Community Noise and Health Study (CNHS). Within measurement uncertainty, the wind turbine sound power levels measured using IEC 61400-11 [(2002). (International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva)] were consistent with the sound power level data provided by manufacturers. Based on measurements, the sound power level data were also extended to 16 Hz for calculation of C-weighted levels. The C-weighted levels were 11.5 dB higher than the A-weighted levels (standard deviation 1.7 dB). The simple relationship between A- and C- weighted levels suggests that there is unlikely to be any statistically significant difference between analysis based on either C- or A-weighted data.