Keeping down the volume (noise level calculation)

Abstract

A computer program that considers all propagation paths that sound can take to travel from source to receivers (including reflections on barriers and ground, diffraction around barriers, transmission through barriers, etc.) is described. It is available on a PC to help the substation designer estimate the contours of noise levels resulting from a selected substation layout. The sources of the audible noise generated by substation power transformers are identified, and a qualitative overview of the physics of sound propagation is given. The method of calculation used by the program and the kind of input required are discussed. >