ANNEX IISupplementary provisions
ANNEX II Test procedures and performance requirements applying to audible warning devices PART 1 Requirements applying to the component type-approval of a type of mechanical or electrical audible warning device intended to be fitted to vehicles of categories L1e, L2e and L6e 1. General requirements 1.1. Electrical audible warning devices shall emit a continuous, uniform sound and their sound spectrum shall not vary perceptibly during operation. In the case of warning devices supplied with an alternating current, this requirement applies solely at constant generator speed, that speed lying within the range specified in point 2.3.2. 1.2. Electrical audible warning devices shall have sound characteristics (spectral distribution of the sound energy, sound pressure level) and mechanical characteristics such that, in the order stated, they pass the tests specified in points 2 to 3.4. 1.3. Electrical audible warning devices may incorporate a feature enabling the device to operate at a significantly lower sound pressure level volume. 1.4. Mechanical audible warning devices shall be equipped with a thumb-operated lever, either of the puller bell type geared to rapidly rotate two loosely-slung metal discs inside the bell housing, or of the single stroke bell type. 2. Sound level measurements 2.1. Audible warning devices shall preferably be tested in an anechoic environment. They may alternatively be tested in a semi-anechoic chamber or in a cleared outside space. In this case, precautions shall be taken to avoid reflections off the ground in the measuring area, e.g. by providing a number of absorbent screens. It shall be checked that the spherical distortion is no more than 1 dB(A) within a hemisphere of a radius of at least 5 m up to the maximum frequency to be measured, this mainly being in the direction of measurement and at the height of the device and microphone. The ambient noise shall be at least 10 dB(A) lower than the sound pressure levels to be measured. The device submitted for testing and the microphone shall be at the same height, which shall be between 1,15 and 1,25 m. The line of maximum sensitivity of the microphone shall coincide with the direction in which the sound level of the warning device is at its highest level. The microphone shall be positioned such that its diaphragm is at a distance of 2 ± 0,01 m from the exit plane of the sound emitted by the device. In the case of devices with several exits, this distance shall be determined in relation to the exit plane closest to the microphone. 2.2. The measurements of the sound pressure level shall involve the use of a class-1 precision sound-level meter meeting the requirements of IEC publication No 651, first edition (1979). All measurements shall be carried out using the ‘rapid’ time constant. The (A) weighting curve shall be used to measure the overall sound pressure levels. The Fourier transform of the sound signal shall be used in measuring the emitted-sound spectrum. Alternatively, third-octave filters meeting the requirements set out in IEC publication No 225, first edition (1966), may be used, in which case the sound pressure level within the 2 500 Hz centre-octave frequency band shall be determined by adding the quadratic means of the sound pressures in the third-octave bands of centre frequencies of 2 000, 2 500 and 3 150 Hz. In all cases, only the Fourier transform method may be regarded as a reference method. 2.3. The electrical audible warning device shall be supplied with one of the following voltages, as appropriate: 2.3.1. In the case of audible warning devices receiving direct current, a test voltage of 6,5, 13,0 or 26,0 V, measured at the output side of the electricity source and corresponding to a nominal voltage of 6, 12 or 24 V respectively. 2.3.2. Where an audible warning device receives direct current which has to be supplied by an electrical generator of the type normally used with this type of device, the acoustic characteristics of the device shall be recorded at alternator speeds corresponding to 50 %, 75 % and 100 % of the maximum speed stated by the manufacturer of the alternator for continuous operation. The alternator shall be subject to no other electrical load during the test. The endurance test described in points 3 to 3.4 shall be carried out at a speed stated by the manufacturer of the equipment and selected from the range referred to above. 2.3.3. If a rectified current is used for the test on an audible warning device receiving direct current, the unsmoothed component of the voltage at its terminals, measured from peak to peak during operation of the warning device, shall not exceed 0,1 V. 2.3.4. The resistance of the electrical conductor for audible warning devices receiving direct current, including the resistance of the terminals and contacts, shall lie as close as possible to 0,05 Ω for a nominal voltage of 6 V, 0,10 Ω for a nominal voltage of 12 V and 0,20 Ω for a nominal voltage of 24 V. 2.4. The mechanical audible warning device shall be tested as follows: 2.4.1. The device to be tested shall be operated by a person or other external means, pushing the operating lever as recommended by the manufacturer. The presence of any operator shall have no noticeable influence on the test results. One measurement sequence consists of ten consecutive operations over the operating lever’s full travel within 4 ± 0,5 s. Five sequences shall be carried out, each interrupted by a pause. The complete operation shall be carried out five times. 2.4.2. The A-weighted sound level shall be recorded for each of the 25 measurement sequences, shall be within 2,0 dB(A) and is averaged for the calculation of the final result. 2.5. The audible warning device shall be rigidly mounted, using the part or parts intended for that purpose by its manufacturer, on a support of a mass at least 10 times greater than that of the warning device to be tested and at least 30 kg. The support shall be arranged in such a way that the reflections off its walls and the vibrations have no significant effect on the results of the measurements. 2.6. Under the conditions set out above, the A-weighted sound level shall not exceed 115 dB(A) in case of electric audible warning devices and 95 dB(A) in case of mechanical audible warning devices. 2.7. The sound pressure level within the 1 800 to 3 550 Hz frequency band of electric audible warning devices shall be higher than that of any frequency component above 3 550 Hz, and in any case at least 90 dB(A). The sound pressure level of mechanical audible warning devices shall be at least 80 dB(A). 2.8. The characteristics set out in points 2.6 to 2.7 shall also be displayed by any audible warning device that has been subjected to the endurance test provided for in points 3 to 3.4. 2.8.1. Any variation in voltage shall be between 115 % and 95 % of the rated value in the case of electrical audible warning devices receiving direct current, or between 50 % and 100 % of the maximum alternator speed stated by the manufacturer of the alternator for continuous operation in the case of electrical audible warning devices receiving alternating current. 2.9. The time lag between actuation and the moment when the sound reaches the minimum value as required in points 2.6 to 2.7 shall not exceed 0,2 seconds measured at an ambient temperature of 293 ± 5 K (20 ± 5 °C). This requirement applies, in particular, to pneumatic or electro-pneumatic warning devices. 2.10. Under the power supply conditions laid down by their manufacturers, pneumatic or electro-pneumatic warning devices shall yield the same acoustic performance as those required for normal electric audible warning devices. 2.11. The minimum value as required in points 2.6 to 2.7 shall be obtained for each component of a multi-tone device which may emit sound independently. The maximum overall sound level shall be achieved with all of the component parts operating at the same time. 3. Endurance test 3.1. The ambient temperature shall lie between 288 K and 303 K (15 °C and 30 °C). 3.2. The electrical audible warning device shall be supplied with the nominal voltage at the conductor resistance specified in points 2.3.1 to 2.3.4, while in compliance with point 2.8.1, and be operated 10 000 times at a rate of one second of being activated followed by four seconds of not being activated. During the test, the audible warning device shall be exposed to a forced wind or draught with a speed of 10 m/s ± 2 m/s. 3.2.1. If a test is conducted within an insulated chamber, that chamber shall be of sufficient volume to ensure normal dissipation of the heat given off by the warning device during the endurance test. 3.3. When half of the total number of operations required has been completed, the electrical audible warning device may be reset if the characteristics of the sound level have altered since before the test. When the total number of operations required has been completed, the audible warning device may again be reset and shall subsequently meet the requirements of the tests specified in point 2.8. 3.4. Four units of a type of mechanical audible warning device shall be subjected to the durability test. Each device shall be in new condition and shall not be lubricated during the test. It shall be activated 30 000 times over the full travel of the operating lever at a rate of 100 ± 5 operations per minute. The four devices shall then be subjected to a salt spray test according to EN ISO 9227:2012. Three out of the four units shall meet the requirements of the tests specified in point 2.8. PART 2 Requirements for the approval of a type of vehicle with regard to the audible warning 1. Fitting requirements 1.1. Vehicles of categories L1e-B, L2e and L6e shall be fitted with at least one electrical audible warning device which has been component type-approved pursuant to this Regulation or UNECE regulation No 28 ( 1 ) . 1.2. Vehicles of category L1e-B with a maximum design vehicle speed ≤ 25 km/h and a maximum continuous rated or net power ≤ 500 W may alternatively be fitted with a mechanical audible warning device which has been component type-approved pursuant to this Regulation, in which case the requirements of points 2.1.1 to 2.1.7 are not applicable. 1.3. Vehicles of categories L3e, L4e and L5e shall meet all the relevant fitting requirements of UNECE regulation No 28. 1.3.1. In the absence of specific instructions, the term ‘motor cycles’ in that regulation shall be construed as referring to vehicles of categories L3e, L4e and L5e. 1.4. Vehicles of category L7e shall meet all the relevant fitting requirements of UNECE regulation No 28, as prescribed for vehicle category L5e. 1.5. In the absence of specific requirements in UNECE regulation No 28 and as provided in point 1.3 of Part 1, audible warning or additional devices installed on vehicles which are propelled by means of one or more electric motors may incorporate a feature enabling the device to be intermittently activated in such a way that it operates at a significantly lower sound pressure level than required for audible warning devices, emitting a continuous, uniform sound with a sound spectrum that does not vary perceptibly during operation, with the aim to for instance alert pedestrians about the vehicle approaching. 2. Performance requirements of installed electric audible warning devices. 2.1. For vehicles of categories L1e-B, L2e and L6e: 2.1.1 The test voltage shall be as laid down in points 2.3 to 2.3.2 in Part 1. 2.1.2. The sound pressure levels shall be measured under the conditions laid down in point 2.2 in Part 1. 2.1.3. The A-weighted sound pressure level emitted by the audible warning device(s) shall be measured at a distance of 7,0 m in front of the vehicle, the latter being placed on an open site, on ground as smooth as practicable and, if fitted with audible warning devices supplied with direct current, with its engine stopped. 2.1.4. The microphone of the measuring instrument shall be placed in the mean longitudinal plane of the vehicle. 2.1.5. The sound pressure level of the background noise and wind noise shall be at least 10 dB(A) below the sound to be measured. 2.1.6. The maximum sound pressure level shall be sought within the range of 0,5 and 1,5 m above the ground. 2.1.7. When measured under the conditions in points 2.1.1 to 2.1.5, the maximum sound level value as determined in point 2.1.6 shall be between 75 dB(A) and 112 dB(A). 2.2. Vehicles of categories L3e, L4e and L5e shall meet all the relevant performance requirements of UNECE regulation No 28. 2.2.1. In the absence of specific instructions, the term ‘motor cycles’ in that regulation shall be construed as referring to vehicles of categories L3e, L4e and L5e. 2.3. Vehicles of category L7e shall meet all the relevant performance requirements of UNECE regulation No 28, as prescribed for vehicle category L5e. ( 1 ) OJ L 323, 6.12.2011, p. 33 .