One of the important considerations when selecting a portable generator set is the noise level of the unit

Below we have tried to simplify noise level to help you make a choice and understand how loud the noise emmisions from our generators will be in laymans terms

Noise levels are expressed as Lwa ( this is a European standard ) and dB(A) – decibels – which is an English and American standard – the generator specs on this site give both values but we will deal in decibels.

Noise is not measured on a linear/straight line scale – noise levels double every 3-5 dB(A)

So 73/75 dB(A) is twice as loud as 70 dB(A) or two 70 dB(A) units running together would produce between 73 and 75 dB(A)

Current standards allow employees to work in 85 dB(A) for up to eight hours

The below table has tried to put the noise outputs of our generators in context – however it is only a general guide as noise is subjective – what one person finds acceptable will be noisy to another.

You can also visit our main website and watch videos that show generator noise explained. Just click here on ‘explained’ to go straight there.

Noise level -Decibels dB(A)	Typical situation
50	Private Office
60	Normal Speech
70	Vacuum Cleaner
80	Inside a car at 50 Mph
100	Rotery petrol mower
110	Chain Saw