Foreword?(This Foreword is not a part of ANSI/IEEE C37.082-1982@ IEEE Standard Methods for the Measurement of Sound Pressure Levels of AC Power Circuit Breakers.) Widespread interest in noise has prompted studies of the noise produced by power circuit breakers. In order to establish the uniformity necessary for correlation of test results@ this standard describes a method of testing related specifically to power circuit breakers. This standard deals with objective methods of measurement and reporting of sound levels. These methods are intended to provide data which can be used in evaluating the effects of circuit breaker sound on human observers@ but the evaluation itself is outside the scope of this standard. Impulsive sound caused by opening or closing operations is the major concern@ but for purposes of a complete standard@ the measurement of continuous and intermittent sound is included. Two major problem areas are recognized: 1) For personnel near the circuit breaker@ where safety and health considerations make the impulsive sound levels of interest 2) For persons remote from the circuit breaker@ where the impulsive sounds produced by operations may cause a nuisance@ or where specific ordinances regulate permissible sound levels. Methods of measurement in the near and far fields@ for impulsive@ continuous@ and intermittent sound are given. ScopeThese methods are intended for use in measurement of the sound produced by outdoor circuit breakers in a free-field environment. The methods may be used indoors or in restricted field@ provided that precautions are observed in measurement and interpretation of results. Three types of tests are described: design tests@ conformance tests@ and field tests.