Resources, Tools and Basic Information for Engineering and Design of Technical Applications!

mobile - visible on handheld devices - alternatively go to www.engineeringtoolbox.com!

Engineering ToolBox > L_eq - Equivalent Sound Level

Equivalent Sound Level - L_eq - quantifies the noise environment as a single value of sound level for any desired duration.

The Environmental Protection Agency - EPA - has adopted a system of four "sound descriptors"

• A-weighted sound level
• Sound Exposure Level - L_s
• Equivalent Sound Level - L_eq
• Day-Night Sound Level - L_dn

to summarize how sound is heard and measured, and to determine the impact of noise on health and welfare.

Equivalent Sound Level - L_eq

quantifies the noise environment as a single value of sound level for any desired duration. This descriptor correlates well with the effects of noise on people.