Human response to audible noise from high‐voltage transmission lines

Abstract

The aversiveness of audible (corona) noise produced by extra‐high voltage (EHV) overhead transmission lines during moist weather was assessed. Samples of corona noise from two lines, other common environmental noises, and artifical reference stimuli were compared using a behavioral preference procedure. Corona noise samples were found to be equally preferred to (1) a 1000‐Hz octave band of white noise approximately 12 dB SPL higher than the corona noises and (2) a collection of other environmental noises approximately 9 dB SPL higher than the corona noises. Corona noise was significantly less preferred than the ambient noises occurring near the transmission lines. One sample of corona noise was comparable in aversiveness to a sample of room air conditioner noise; the other sample of corona noise was somewhat more aversive. While all of the commonly used frequency weighting scales correlated strongly with preference, D‐weighted sound level provided the highest correlation with the preference data and the smallest standard error bands. [Sponsored by the Department of Energy.]