Generator DB ratings
When comparing generators: #1 Are the posted db ratings at WOT, or at idle in eco mode? #2 Is there a uniform db rating standard that all manufacturers adhere to, or is each manufacturer ope...
Forum Discussion
n7bsn wrote:
EsoxLucius is correct
The best way (and the way we reported, when I worked in the industry) was dBA/meter or dBA/yard. That removes the entire "what distance" question. (the difference between meter and yard is below 0.1, we -always- used meter, just cause)
Some general notes:
*A 3dB change is twice the ENERGY, not twice as LOUD.
*A 10dB change is ten TIMES the energy.
*At twice the distance, the dB change is not twice, due to ground reflecting sound, etc, messes up the situation. Example, in a "free air" situation, ten times as far away results in a decrease of 20 dB. But if you put something a meter above the ground and move 10 times as far away, the decrease is SOMETHING else.
*Since the human ear is not linear (like 2 times) nor log (dB), what is "felt" like "twice" as loud it would be something like 6dB (or 4 times the energy)
n7 is right; what folks overlook is the dB scale is a LOGARITHMIC scale. That's why 60 dB is MUCH louder than 56 dB.
