Open VS Silent Generators: Which is best for your application
Choosing between an open and a silent (canopied) generator is one of the most consequential decisions you'll make when specifying a power solution. Both types draw on the same fundamental technology, but where they're deployed, how they operate, and what they cost over time can differ dramatically. This guide cuts through the noise and gives you the clarity to make the right call for your application.
What Is an Open Generator?
An open generator sometimes called a bare or open-frame genset, consists of the engine, alternator, and control system mounted on a base frame with no enclosure. There's nothing between the running components and the surrounding environment, which has both advantages and consequences depending on where and how the machine is used.
Open sets are the workhorse choice for applications where noise levels are secondary to cost, flexibility, and raw output. They're widely used in construction, temporary power, agriculture, plant rooms, and industrial facilities where the generator is housed within a purpose-built structure or positioned well away from populated areas.
What Is a Silent (Canopied) Generator?
A silent generator is an open genset that has been enclosed within an acoustic canopy, a sound-attenuating steel housing fitted with absorption material and precisely engineered ventilation to allow cooling airflow while absorbing radiated noise. The result is a significant reduction in operational sound levels, typically bringing a set that would run at 95–100 dB(A) down to 65–75 dB(A) at one metre.
The term "silent" is a commercial label rather than a literal description: these machines do still produce noise, but at levels that are broadly compliant with noise regulations in residential, commercial, and public environments. All of GFE Power Products' canopied generators are engineered to meet or exceed current noise standards for their respective applications.
Side-by-Side: Key Differences at a Glance
Understanding Noise: The Numbers That Matter
The decibel scale is logarithmic, not linear. A 10 dB(A) reduction represents a halving of perceived loudness to the human ear. The difference between an open set at 97 dB(A) and a canopied set at 70 dB(A) is not a modest improvement it is the difference between a sound level that demands hearing protection and one that, at a safe distance, sits below normal conversational speech.
In practical terms, UK and EU noise regulations for temporary and standby power generation typically require compliance with local planning conditions, noise at boundary restrictions (often 50–55 dB(A) at a noise-sensitive receptor), and in some cases BS 4142 assessments for industrial installations. Silent generators are usually the first step toward compliance; open sets in enclosed plant rooms may achieve the same outcome with appropriate acoustic treatment, but that involves additional cost and engineering.
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If your site is within 100 metres of a residential property, school, hospital, or hotel, you almost certainly need a canopied set or at minimum a detailed noise assessment. Our team can advise on compliance requirements before you commit to a specification.
The GFE Power Products Range
GFE Power Products supplies both open and silent diesel generators across a broad kVA range from compact 18 kVA sets suited to domestic or small commercial standby applications, through to large-scale 2,500 kVA industrial gensets for mission-critical facilities. Our range includes GFE-branded sets powered with Cummins, Baudouin, and Perkins engines, alongside OEM units from Caterpillar, Kohler SDMO, and CPG.
All GFE Power Products generators are built using premium, market-proven components. Our canopied sets are engineered to meet current noise standards, and every set open or silent is backed by our commitment to quality, performance, and post-sale support. As a British ISO 9001:2015 certified business, we supply to customers across the UK and to dealers and end users worldwide.
Not Sure Which to Specify?
Our experienced technical team works with customers at every stage of the selection process from initial load assessment and site surveys through to delivery and commissioning. Whether you're specifying a single standby set or a containerised multi-generator installation, we can help you get the specification right the first time.
Call: +44(0)1386 335007
Email: sales@gfepowerproducts.com
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