Calculating Decibel Levels with Increasing Fans

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In summary, a decibel (dB) is a unit of measurement used to express the ratio of two values of a physical quantity, typically power or intensity. Decibel increase is calculated using a logarithmic formula and the reference level for decibels is 0 dB. To convert a sound's intensity to decibels, a specific formula can be used. A safe decibel level for human ears is below 85 dB for prolonged exposure, but the duration of exposure also plays a role in potential hearing damage.
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shemer77
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I was wondering how I would go about calculating decible levels with increasing fans. Here I'll explain
1 fan is 45 decibles but we know that 2 fans is not 90 decibles, so I was wondering how i would go about calculating how many decibles 8 fans is.
 
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  • #2
Decibels are on a log scale. Ten decibels (one bel) means the energy of the sound is ten times as much. For 2 fans add 10log2 ~ 3. For 8 add 10log8. The log in this equation is to base 10.
 
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FAQ: Calculating Decibel Levels with Increasing Fans

What is a decibel (dB)?

A decibel (dB) is a unit of measurement used to express the ratio of two values of a physical quantity, typically power or intensity. It is commonly used to describe sound levels and is based on a logarithmic scale.

How is decibel increase calculated?

Decibel increase is calculated by taking the ratio of the two values and converting it to decibels using the logarithmic formula: dB = 10 * log (P2/P1), where P1 and P2 are the two values being compared. This formula is used because sound intensity increases logarithmically with power.

What is the reference level for decibels?

The reference level for decibels is 0 dB, which is considered the threshold of human hearing. This corresponds to a sound intensity of 10^-12 watts per square meter. All other decibel levels are relative to this reference level.

How do you convert a sound's intensity to decibels?

To convert a sound's intensity to decibels, you can use the formula: dB = 10 * log (I/I0), where I is the sound's intensity and I0 is the reference intensity of 10^-12 watts per square meter. This will give you the sound's intensity level in decibels.

What is a safe decibel level for human ears?

A safe decibel level for human ears is typically considered to be below 85 dB for prolonged exposure. Any noise above this level can cause hearing damage over time. However, the duration of exposure also plays a role, as shorter exposure times may be safe at higher decibel levels.

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