How an Air Horn Works to Produce Sound

Air Horns Function with the Use of an Air Compressor.

Air horns, got their name due to the fact that they rely on air moving through a trumpet-like horns to function. To produce their loud, echoing sound, air horns rely on air forced through these horns. There is substantial amount of resistance in an air horn. Basically, powerful electric air compressors generate large amounts of air at a very high pressure. In an instant, this air is then routed through tubes to the horns. This is where it becomes the essential source of sound.

Air Horn Compressors Are Activated Through the Use of Switches.

Air horns are powered by compressors. Of course, they are not always turned on because then the sound would always be functioning. Instead, the compressors are wired to a power source that use an effortless on/off toggle switch. This basically works to interrupt the flow of electricity. When the switch at its “On” position, an electrical circuit is completed between the air compressor and its complementing power source. Then it springs the compressor into action, thus producing the air pressure which is necessary to create the sound.

The Air Flows Through Horns and Vibrates as Sound.

Once the compressor is activated and the air flow is sufficient and the pressure is high, the horns allow the air to pass through and escape at a very fast rate. A metal or plastic diaphragm inside the horn fluctuates between its open and its closed positions. This happens while the air passes through. This large vibration is then carried to and magnified by what is known as the bell of the horn. These two vibrate at the same frequency. The vibrations flow through the air and eventually reach the human ear as sound. Due to the fact that air horns generally use a collection of horns powered by one or more compressors and because the complete horn system vibrates the sound that is produced by a standard air horn is perceived as a drastically louder noise than that of your typical automotive horns.

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