Fan Testing

Noise Emission Testing of Small Air Moving Devices in accordance with ANSI S12.11

If your product has fans, or if your product is manufacturing fans, chances are the correct method was not used for acoustical testing and reporting. Currently, ANSI S12.11 (ISO 10302) is the only internationally accepted test standard for determining and rating the noise emissions of fans.

Many countries have developed their own hybrid methods for testing and reporting the noise levels of fans. Virtually 100% of these methods are wrong and provide strange and in many cases unsubstantiated noise levels (e.g. 18 dBA ±10% for a 92mm fan operating at 2500 RPM). Whether this stems from a lack of expertise or incorrect interpretation of existing standards, these test methods, and the data acquired when using them, are of no use. Adding to the problem of fan measurement and ratings, some small “homemade” testing sites have implemented their own acoustic testing methods. In many cases, these homemade labs are viewed as “experts” for fans or fan acoustical testing and many companies have input a significant amount of time and money into these dubious labs and their measurement methods.

If you have a copy of the fan manufacturer’s specification, showing the test method used and the data acquired from acoustical testing, chances are the data and conclusions are inaccurate.

ASQ Laboratory is equipped and easily able to perform this type of test, using a qualified testing plenum and Type 1 data acquisition and analysis equipment, inside a qualified hemi-anechoic chamber in accordance with the standard.