How Quiet Is a Silent Generator? Real-World Noise Levels for UK Buyers
A silent generator typically runs at around 65–77 dB(A) measured at 1 metre , or roughly 55–68 dB(A) at 7 metres — compared to 75–85 dB(A) for an open-frame unit at the same distance. But the honest answer is: it depends entirely on how and where you measure it, and that's exactly where most buyers get confused. How Generator Noise Is Actually Measured Noise is measured in dB(A), or A-weighted decibels, which reflects how the human ear perceives sound intensity. The decibel scale is logarithmic, not linear — a 10 dB increase represents roughly 10 times the sound intensity and is perceived as about twice as loud. This is why a generator rated at 75 dB(A) isn't "a bit louder" than one rated at 65 dB(A) — it's substantially louder. The detail that catches most buyers out is the measurement distance . Manufacturers typically quote dB(A) at either 1 metre or 7 metres from the unit, and the same generator can show very different numbers depending on which is used. A...