Overview
EN ISO 1683:2015 specifies preferred reference values used in acoustics to establish a uniform basis for expressing acoustical and vibratory levels. The reference values are mandatory for use in acoustics for sounds in air and other gases, sounds in water and other liquids, and for structure-borne sound, but can also be used in other applications. These values ensure consistent decibel reporting, straightforward comparison of measurements, and clarity in engineering specifications and regulatory documentation.
Key Topics
- Purpose: Provide internationally adopted reference values for acoustical and vibratory quantities so that levels expressed in decibels have a consistent basis.
- Scope: Applies to airborne sound, sounds in liquids and to structure-borne sound; applicable beyond these domains where useful.
- Practical effect: Determines whether a level is positive or negative and supports uniform reporting and interpretation of acoustic data.
Selected reference values (as given in EN ISO 1683:2015):
-
Air and other gases
- Sound pressure: 20 µPa
- Sound exposure: (20 µPa)² s
- Sound power: 1 pW
- Sound energy: 1 pJ
- Sound intensity: 1 pW/m²
-
Water and other liquids
- Sound pressure: 1 µPa
- Sound exposure: 1 µPa² s
- Sound power: 1 pW
- Sound energy: 1 pJ
- Sound intensity: 1 pW/m²
- Particle displacement: 1 pm
- Particle velocity: 1 nm/s
- Particle acceleration: 1 µm/s²
- Distance (for compound quantities): 1 m
-
Vibratory quantities
- Vibratory displacement: 1 pm
- Vibratory velocity: 1 nm/s (note: 50 nm/s is also used in structure-borne sound contexts)
- Vibratory acceleration: 1 µm/s²
- Vibratory force: 1 µN
Applications
EN ISO 1683:2015 is directly useful for:
- Acoustic measurement and instrumentation calibration – establishing consistent reference baselines.
- Engineering and product specifications where sound and vibration levels must be reported or compared.
- Environmental noise assessment and regulatory reporting, where a uniform decibel basis reduces ambiguity.
- Underwater acoustics and marine noise monitoring using the liquid reference values.
- Structure-borne sound analysis and vibration control in buildings and machinery.
Benefits include improved comparability of test results, clearer contractual requirements, and reduced risk of misinterpretation across international projects.
Related Standards
Key normative references cited by EN ISO 1683:2015 include:
- ISO 2041 - Mechanical vibration, shock and condition monitoring: Vocabulary
- ISO/TR 25417 - Acoustics: Definitions of basic quantities and terms
- ISO 80000-8 - Quantities and units - Part 8: Acoustics
These related standards provide terminology, definitions and unit conventions that complement the reference values in EN ISO 1683:2015.
Note: When reporting any level, the reference value used to establish that level should always be stated together with the respective level to maintain clarity and traceability.
