Airedale adds a hemi-anechoic chamber to its £2.5m test facilities
Leeds, UK, February 20, 2008 -
Global air conditioning manufacturer Airedale has enhanced its sound testing facilities with the addition of a purpose-built hemi-anechoic chamber to its £2.5 million test facilities at the company’s headquarters in Leeds.
Being an echo-free enclosure devoid of reflected sound, a hemi-anechoic chamber provides a dedicated, controlled environment for accurate measurement of product and component sound data. The sound level measured can be considered to be measuring only the noise radiated from the test object.
Airedale’s hemi-anechoic chamber has been designed in conjunction with ECKEL Noise Control Technologies, pioneers of anechoic chamber design and manufacture. The walls and ceiling are constructed from Eckel acoustic modular panels and lined with SuperSoft™ compact absorbers, providing a controlled acoustic environment of 150m3.
To permit noise testing under true operating conditions a fan-assisted and acoustically-treated ducted air recirculation system has been incorporated. Thededicated air loop ensures operational airflow for air handling units and ambient temperature control for all products.
The chamber is capable of testing units with a nominal cooling capacity of up to 100kW. Typical products tested include close control units, small air cooled chillers, condensing units and DX or chilled water units.
Says Test Centre manager John Booth: “The hemi-anechoic chamber represents Airedale’s latest investment in testing facilities and provides a far more accurate and less labour intensive means of conducting sound testing. We are continually improving the Test Centre to keep pace with customer needs, new product technologies, larger products and the demand for greater energy efficiency.
“Celebrating its tenth anniversary last year, the Test Centre is the only purpose-built facility of its kind in the UK HVAC industry. It enables all our product lines to be performance tested and provides accurate performance data on which Airedale’s reputation for reliability and quality is founded.
“Used extensively for new product research and development, it also provides witness testing facilities so customers can see for themselves the capability of their products. Now, with increased test capability, we are making the Centre available for consultants and specifiers wishing to conduct witness testing.”
Contact: marketing@airedale.com
