Generators are crucial as power sources on site, whether that site is a major construction project or a music festival. Choosing the appropriate power level will often be the first consideration, but noise levels can be important too, especially at quiet events – such as a wedding ceremony in a marquee – or where noise levels are restricted by law. You’ll often see generators labelled as super-silent or ultra-silent, but what does that mean?
The terms super silent and ultra silent refer to different noise levels. As you may know, the intensity of a sound is measured in decibels, which are normally abbreviated dB(A). For example, an ordinary conversation would be about 50 dB, whereas a jet engine could be 120 dB.
The decibel ratings of power generators are measured and compared within the industry at a distance of seven metres. Super-silent generators are very quiet, but ultra-silent models are even quieter.
For example, the Denyo Renta 60 kVA has a super-silent operation of 69 dB(A), while the Denyo Eventa 60kVA has an ultra-silent operation at 59 dB(A). That might not sound that big a difference, but as the scale is logarithmic, the super-silent model is roughly twice as loud.
This means the decibel level has been ‘a-weighted’ – adjusted to take into account what a human ear can actually hear. Because very low-frequency sounds might seem quieter than the ordinary decibel level might indicate, this is taken into account with the a-weighted version.
If you’re unsure about generator noise levels and need advice, contact the manufacturer or supplier. At Morris Site Machinery, we have a team on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Call our team on 01902 790824
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