--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

BRITISH STANDARD BS 6840-17:

1991
IEC 268-17:
1990
(including
Corrigendum
September 1991)

Sound system
equipment
Part 17: Methods for specifying and
measuring the characteristics of
standard volume indicators

(Implementation of CENELEC HD 483.17 S1)

Copyright British Standards Institution

Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS 6840-17:1991

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Electronic

Equipment Standards Policy Committee (EEL/-) to Technical Committee
EEL/32, upon which the following bodies were represented:

Association of British Theatre Technicians

Association for Consumer Research (ACRE)
Audio Engineering Society
British Educational Equipment Association
British Kinematograph, Sound and Television Society
British Radio and Electronic Equipment Manufacturers Association
British Telecommunications plc
Consumer Policy Committee of BSI
Federation of British Audio
Independent Broadcasting Authority
Independent Television Association
Institution of Electrical Engineers
National Council for Educational Technology (NCET)
Professional Lighting and Sound Association
Radio Electrical and Television Retailers Association
Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal National Institute for the Deaf
Society of Cable Television Engineers
Sound and Communication Industries Federation
--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Electronic
Equipment Standards Policy
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Standards Board and comes
into effect on Amendments issued since publication
30 April 1991

BSI 07-1999 Amd. No. Date Comments

7701 July 1993 Indicated by a sideline in the margin

The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference EEL/32
Draft for comment 88/26018 DC

ISBN 0 580 19533 3

Copyright British Standards Institution

Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS 6840-17:1991

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
1 Scope 3
2 Definitions 3
3 Reference indication 3
4 Reference voltage 3
5 Reference volume Characteristics to be specified 3
6 Division of the scale 3
7 Amplitude-frequency response Performance requirement 3
8 Response time 3
9 Overswing Performance requirement 3
10 Return time Performance requirement 3
11 Reversibility error Performance requirement 4
12 Input impedance Performance requirement 4
13 Distortion introduced by the standard volume
indicator Performance requirement 4
14 Temperature range Performance requirement 4
15 Overload input level Performance requirement 4
16 Rectifier Performance requirement 4
17 Colour of scale and scale card 4
18 Mounting on panels Presence of magnetic material 4
19 Mounting angle Performance requirement 4
20 Classification of the characteristics to be specified 4
Annex ZA (normative) Other international publications
quoted in this standard with references of the relevant
European publication Inside back cover
National annex NA (informative) Cross-reference Inside back cover
Figure 1 Connection of the standard volume indicator 5
Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the method of
measurement of response time of the standard volume indicator 7
Figure 3 Scale of the standard volume indicator 8
Table 1 Attenuator characteristics 3 900 7 constant impendance 6

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

BSI 07-1999
Copyright British Standards Institution
i
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS 6840-17:1991

National foreword

This Part of BS 6840 has been prepared under the direction of the Electronic
Equipment Standards Policy Committee and is identical with IEC 268-17:1990
Sound system equipment Part 17: Standard volume indicators and its
corrigendum of September 1991, published by the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC). This Part of BS 6840 implements Harmonization Document
HD 483.17 S1 published by the European Committee for Electrotechnical
Standardization (CENELEC).
BS 6840 consists of the following Parts:
Part 1: Methods for specifying and measuring general characteristics used
for equipment performance;
Part 2: Glossary of general terms and calculation methods;
Part 3: Methods for specifying and measuring the characteristics of sound
system amplifiers;
Part 4: Methods for specifying and measuring the characteristics of
microphones;
Part 5: Methods for specifying and measuring the characteristics of
loudspeakers;
Part 6: Methods for specifying and measuring the characteristics of auxiliary
passive elements;
Part 7: Methods for specifying and measuring the characteristics of
headphones and headsets1);
Part 8: Methods for specifying and measuring the characteristics of
automatic gain control devices;
Part 9: Methods for specifying and measuring the characteristics of artificial
reverberation, time delay and frequency shift equipment;
Part 10: Methods for specifying and measuring the characteristics of peak
programme level meters;
Part 11: Specification for application of connectors for the interconnection of
sound system components;
Part 12: Specification for applications of connectors for broadcast and
similar use;
Part 13: Guide for listening tests on loudspeakers;

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
Part 14: Guide for circular and elliptical loudspeakers; outer frame
diameters and mounting dimensions;
Part 15: Specification for matching values for the interconnection of sound
system components;
Part 16: Guide to the RASTI method for the objective rating of speech
intelligibility in auditoria;
Part 17: Methods for specifying and measuring the characteristics of
standard volume indicators.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the HD title page, pages 2 to 8, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

1) In preparation.

ii BSI 07-1999
Copyright British Standards Institution
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 HARMONIZATION DOCUMENT HD 483.17 S1
DOCUMENT DHARMONISATION
July 1992
HARMONISIERUNGSDOKUMENT

UDC 534.86:621.317.7

Descriptors: Electroacoustic, electroacoustical equipment, indicating device, electroacoustical intensity, characteristics, specifications

English version

Sound system equipment

Part 17: Standard volume indicators
(IEC 268-17:1990 + corrigendum 1991)

Equipements pour systmes lectroacoustiques Elektroakustische Gerte

Dix-septime partie: Indicateurs de volume Teil 17: Standard-vu-Meter
normaliss (IEC 268-17:1990)
(CEI 268-17:1990)

This Harmonization Document was approved by CENELEC on 1992-06-16.

CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal
Regulations which stipulate the conditions for implementation of this
Harmonization Document on a national level.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning national
implementation may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or
to any CENELEC member.
This Harmonization Document exists in three official versions (English,
French, German).
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comit Europen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europisches Komitee fr Elektrotechnische Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B-1050 Brussels

1992 Copyright reserved to CENELEC members

Ref. No. HD 483.17 S1:1992 E
--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Copyright British Standards Institution

Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 IEC 268-17:1990

Foreword
The CENELEC questionnaire procedure, performed
for finding out whether or not the International
Standard IEC 268-17:1990 and its corrigendum of
September 1991 could be accepted without textual
changes, has shown that no common modifications
were necessary for the acceptance as Harmonization
Document.
The reference document was submitted to the
CENELEC members for formal vote and was
approved by CENELEC as HD 483.17 S1
on 16 June 1992.
The following dates were fixed:
latest date of
announcement of the HD
at national level (doa) 1992-12-01
latest date of publication
of a harmonized national
started (dop) 1993-06-01

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
latest date of withdrawal
of conflicting national
standards (dop) 1993-06-01

For products which have complied with the relevant

national standard before 1993-06-01, as shown by
the manufacturer or by a certification body, this
previous standard may continue to apply for
production until 1998-06-01.
Annexes designated normative are part of the
body of the standard. In this standard, Annex ZA is
normative.

2 BSI 07-1999
Copyright British Standards Institution
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale

1 Scope
This standard gives the characteristics to be
specified, performance requirements and the
relevant methods of measurement for
electro-mechanical volume indicators. The concept
of volume is a practical way of assigning a
numerical value to the magnitude of electrical
speech and music programme signals.
Since the response of the meter movement of such
an indicator to the rapidly varying programme
voltage is greatly dependent upon its dynamic
characteristics, a standard for volume
measurements shall therefore include a
specification of these characteristics. The term vu
(pronounced vee-you and written with lower case
letters) is used to express volume in terms of vu
above or below a specified reference level.
This standard does not deal with peak programme
level meters which are the subject of IEC 268-10.
2 Definitions
2.1
vu is a quantitative expression of volume in an
electrical circuit
2.2
the standard volume indicator is a device for the
indication of volume having the characteristics
described in this standard
a standard volume indicator (or vu-indicator)
consists of three parts:
an indicating meter with a full-wave rectifier;
an attenuator (adjustable loss);
a fixed series resistor (fixed loss).
the reading is obtained by the algebraic addition of
the value indicated by the meter and the value
indicated on tile attenuator scale
3 Reference indication
The reference indication is the meter scale point
marked 0 or 100 % on the vu scale (see Figure 3).
4 Reference voltage
4.1 Characteristic to be specified
The r.m.s. value of a steady state sinusoidal voltage
of 1 000 Hz which results in the reference
indication.
4.2 Performance requirement
Under conditions that the attenuator is set to zero
loss position (marked + 4), an applied voltage
of 1,228 V (+ 4 dB ref. 0,775 V) shall provide
reference indication.
BSI 07-1999
Copyright British Standards Institution
--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
IEC 268-17:1990
5 Reference volume Characteristics
to be specified
The level in decibels, with respect to a stated
reference, of a 1 000 Hz sinusoidal signal which
gives a reading of 0 vu on the scale of the vu meter.
NOTE The reading of 0 vu is the algebraic sum of the meter
and attenuator readings.
6 Division of the scale
The scale shall be calibrated in vu, with a maximum
value of + 3 vu and a minimum value of 20 vu. The
point of reference indication (0 on the vu scale) shall
be located within a sector between 2/3 and 3/4 of full
scale. In addition to the vu scale, a 0-to-100 % scale
should be provided with 100 % corresponding
to 0 vu (see Figure 3).
7 Amplitude-frequency response
Performance requirement
Over the frequency range of 31,5 Hz 16 kHz, the
deviation of the indication due to a sinusoidal signal
of constant voltage, which produces reference
indication at 1 000 Hz, shall be less than 0,5 vu.
8 Response time
8.1 Performance requirement
The response time shall be 0,3 s 10 % for the
pointer to reach 99 % of the reference indication.
8.2 Method of measurement
For the measurement of the response time of the
meter pointer, the arrangement shown in Figure 2
should be used.
This method employs a 1 kHz signal adjusted to
give the reference indication. The time interval is
measured between the application of this signal and
the time at which the pointer reaches 99 % of
reference deflection.
9 Overswing Performance
requirement
The pointer shall overswing the reference deflection
by at least 1 % and not more than 1,5 %.
10 Return time Performance
requirement
The time between the removal of a 1 000 Hz signal
giving reference indication and the moment when
the pointer reaches its mechanical zero position
shall not differ greatly from the response time.
NOTE The expression differ greatly is used because the
return time can normally not be adjusted independently of the
response time.
3
 IEC 268-17:1990
11 Reversibility error Performance
requirement
The difference in level indication when reversing
the polarity of an unsymmetrical signal giving
reference indication shall be less than 0,2 vu.
12 Input impedance Performance
requirement
The input impedance shall be 7,5 k7 3 %.
--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
13 Distortion introduced by the
standard volume indicator
Performance requirement
The total harmonic distortion introduced into a
source of 600 7 shall not exceed 0,2 % for all
deflections between 20 vu and 0 vu and for all
frequencies between 31,5 Hz and 8 kHz.
14 Temperature range Performance
requirement
The deviation with temperature of the level
resulting in reference indication shall be less
than 0,2 vu between + 10 C and + 40 C, and less
than 0,5 vu between 0 C and + 50 C.
15 Overload input level
Performance requirement
The indicator shall withstand, without damage or
any effect on calibration, an overload of ten times
the voltage giving reference indication for a time
interval of 5 s and an overload of three times that
voltage for unlimited period of time.
16 Rectifier Performance
requirement
The volume indicator shall employ a full wave
rectifier, with a characteristic such that the scale
shown in Figure 3 is produced.
2) Newhall, Nicholson, Judd. Final Report of the Optical Society of America, Sub-committee on spacing of the Munsell colors,
J. Opt. Soc. America, Vol. 33, pp 385 and seq. (1943).
4 BSI 07-1999
Copyright British Standards Institution
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS
17 Colour of scale and scale card
The colour of the scale card shall match as
closely as possible the colour expressed
according to the Munsell system of colour
identification 2,93 Y (9,18/4,61)2). The
Figures 0, + 1, + 2 and + 3 and that part of the scale
between 0 and + 3 shall be red. The rest of the scale
shall be printed in black. The following reference
shall be printed either along the top or bottom edge
of the scale card in such a way that it is invisible
when the indication meter is viewed directly from
the front:
IEC 268-17
No marking other than those associated with the
scale should be visible on the scale card when the
indication meter is viewed directly from the front.
The scale of the standard volume indicator is shown
in Figure 3.
18 Mounting on panels Presence of
magnetic material
The presence of magnetic material near the
movement of the instrument may affect its
calibration and dynamic characteristics. The
instrument should therefore not be mounted on a
steel panel. The adverse effect may be deemed
negligible if the thickness of the steel panel does not
exceed 1,6 mm and the mounting hole diameter is
dimensioned to be as large as possible without being
visible from the front.
19 Mounting angle Performance
requirement
The instrument shall be mountable at any angle
without affecting its calibration and dynamic
characteristics.
20 Classification of the characteristics
to be specified
Data which shall be given by the manufacturer are
indicated by an X in the table below.
If more than one X is shown in the table, the data
shall be given in both cases.
Not for Resale
 IEC 268-17:1990

Clauses Characteristics to be specified A B C

4 Reference voltage Xa X
5 Reference volume X
6 Division of the scale X

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
7 Amplitude-frequency response X
8 Response time X
9 Overswing X
10 Return time X
11 Reversibility error X
12 Input impedance X
13 Distortion introduced by the volume indicator X
14 Temperature range X
15 Overload input level X
16 Rectifier X
17 Colour of scale and scale card X
18 Mounting on panels X
19 Mounting angle X
A= data which shall always be marked by the manufacturer on the rating plate.
B= data which shall always be specified by the manufacturer in the manual (descriptive leaflet) and
technical specification.
C= additional data which may be given by the manufacturer.
a
only for complete meter/attenuator units.

Figure 1 Connection of the standard volume indicator

BSI 07-1999
Copyright British Standards Institution
5
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 IEC 268-17:1990

Table 1 Attenuator characteristics 3 900 7

constant impedance
Attenuator Level A-B Arm A Arm B
Loss dB dB (0,755 V) 7 7

0 +4 0 Open
1 +5 224,3 33 801
2 +6 447,1 16 788
3 +7 666,9 11 070

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
4 +8 882,5 8 177
5 +9 1 093 6 415
6 + 10 1 296 5 221
7 + 11 1 492 4 352
8 + 12 1 679 3 690
9 + 13 1 857 3 166
10 + 14 2 026 2 741
11 + 15 2 185 2 388
12 + 16 2 334 2 091
13 + 17 2 473 1 838
14 + 18 2 603 1 621
15 + 19 2 722 1 432
16 + 20 2 833 1 268
17 + 21 2 935 1 124
18 + 22 3 028 997,8
19 + 23 3 113 886,3
20 + 24 3 191 787,8

6 BSI 07-1999
Copyright British Standards Institution
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BSI 07-1999

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

IEC 268-17:1990
Tst = start time
Tst = stop time
Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the method of measurement of response time of the standard volume indicator
7

Copyright British Standards Institution

Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 IEC 268-17:1990

Figure 3 Scale of the standard volume indicator

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

8 BSI 07-1999
Copyright British Standards Institution
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS 6840-17:1991

Annex ZA (normative)
Other international publications quoted in this standard with the references of
the relevant European publications
When the international publication has been modified by CENELEC common modifications, indicated by
(mod),the relevant EN/HD applies.

IEC Publication Date Title EN/HD Date

268-10 1991 Sound system equipment

Part 10: Peak programme level meters

National annex NA (informative)

Cross-reference

Publication referred to Corresponding British Standard

IEC 268-10:1991 BS 6840 Sound system equipment

Part 10:1991 Methods for specifying and measuring the characteristics of peak
programme meters

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

BSI 07-1999
Copyright British Standards Institution
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS 6840-17:
1991
IEC 268-17: BSI British Standards Institution
1990
BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing
--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

British Standards. It presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the

international level. It is incorporated by Royal Charter.

Revisions

British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of

British Standards should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or
editions.

It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services.
We would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using
this British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee
responsible, the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover.
Tel: 020 8996 9000. Fax: 020 8996 7400.

BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures
that subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.

Buying standards

Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001.

In response to orders for international standards, it is BSI policy to supply the

BSI implementation of those that have been published as British Standards,
unless otherwise requested.

Information on standards

BSI provides a wide range of information on national, European and

international standards through its Library and its Technical Help to Exporters
Service. Various BSI electronic information services are also available which give
details on all its products and services. Contact the Information Centre.
Tel: 020 8996 7111. Fax: 020 8996 7048.

Subscribing members of BSI are kept up to date with standards developments

and receive substantial discounts on the purchase price of standards. For details
of these and other benefits contact Membership Administration.
Tel: 020 8996 7002. Fax: 020 8996 7001.

Copyright

Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the
UK, of the publications of the internationalstandardization bodies. Except as
permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written
permission from BSI.

This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard,
of necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
written permission of BSI must be obtained.

If permission is granted, the terms may include royalty payments or a licensing

agreement. Details and advice can be obtained from the Copyright Manager.
BSI Tel: 020 8996 7070.
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL

Copyright British Standards Institution

Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale