How Loud is an Air Compressor CP Chicago Pneumatic (2024)

Compressors

February 17, 2022

Causes, Risks and Solutions

The Problem with Air Compressors

If you're reading this, you probably know the usefulness of air compressors. Air compressors are used worldwide to efficiently operate various tools and machinery. Whether gas or electric, air compressors are an essential piece of operation for many industries. One of the only real drawbacks of many air compressor is the noise.

Why Are Air Compressors So Loud?

There are a few factors that make air compressors so loud, but most of the noise can be attributed to friction. Metal hitting or sliding against metal can be loud! Typically, the more moving parts the air compressor has, the louder it may be. This is true in the motor as well, Gaspowered compressors create combustion and have many moving metal parts, therefore they are bound to be louder than electric compressors.

The environment around your compressor can also contribute to the noise. The noises made by your compressor can be amplified by smooth concrete floors and open areas.

How Is The Noise Measured?

The decibel (dB) is a measurement unit that is frequently used to measure the intensity of sound. The higher the decibel measurement, the louder the noise; but it's not a straightforward scale. A sound of 50dB is going to be more than twice as loud as 25dB noise. This increase continues along the scale. The below image provides some example of this.

How Loud is an Air Compressor CP Chicago Pneumatic (1)

What If I Had a Compressor Room?

It is fairly common for a medium-to-large business to use a compressor room. It is a way to streamline installation, connectivity and future expansion. While it will keep the noise in one spot, it will not eliminate the noise. When it comes to the maintenance on one of the compressors, the noise of the others will be deafening unless you shut them all down.

Dangers of Loud Equipment

Most air compressors operate from 40dB to 100dB, this is a large range (roughly a quiet office to a lawnmower). The possible effects of loud compressors include:

  • Woekplace dysfunction and overall chaos
  • Lower morale, limited communication and harm productivity
  • Noisy compressors can be annoying
  • Constant distraction from the starting and stopping of the loud motor

How Can I Protect Myself From Loud Noises?

While all these problems are significant, the most dangerous problems are the potential health issues that can be caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises. It is recommended for people around noises above 85dB to wear hearing protection. As we have already established, many air compressors are in that range and even higher.

What Could Happen If I Am Exposed to Loud Noises?

If company noise safety policies are loose or not enforced, employees who are around loud compressors for a lengthy amount of time could develop noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL can be caused by prolonged exposure to regular loud noises or singular exposures to extremely loud noises. Another hearing issue is tinnitus. Tinnitus is also caused by loud noises and causes a persistent ringing in your ears. It has the potential to get nad enough that you cannot hear past the ringing.

How Loud is an Air Compressor CP Chicago Pneumatic (2)

Even if your business is not loud enough to cause hearing damage, it could negatively affect your business. Many small businesses operate with limited space due to cost restictions, which means face to face customer interactions or phone calls may take place near a compressor. Conversations could be interrupted by compressors switching on and could potentially make your business seem less professional.

How To Lower the Volume

Luckily, covering your ears is not the only solution to the noise problem. Air Compressors have evolved since they were first introduced and not all of them are the noise machines that we are used to. As mentioned earlier, some air compressors have the capability to run as quietly as 40dB, which is like the ambient noise of a library. This volume won't hurt your ears or distract you from work.

How Loud is an Air Compressor CP Chicago Pneumatic (3)

Do Quiet Air Compressors Exist?

Low volume air compression is possible with Chicago Pneumatic'srotary screw air compressors. Our screw compressors have been designed to provide constant airflow while also running at a much lower volume than traditional piston air compressors.The rotary screw element eliminates a multitude of moving parts, making these models quiet and efficient. They also feature castings that cover all of the workings, which dampens the sound significantly.

Get Help With The Noise

Contact us today on 1300 555 284to learn more about how to quiet your environment by switching to a Chicago Pneumatic compressor. We're here to answer your questions and connect you to an expert in your area who can come to your facility and assess your specific needs.

Get In Touch Today

Read more on our expert blog:

  • How often should I service my compressor?
  • What are the benefits of using a rotary screw compressor?
  • What do I do with my old compressor?
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How Loud is an Air Compressor CP Chicago Pneumatic (2024)

FAQs

How Loud is an Air Compressor CP Chicago Pneumatic? ›

Most air compressors operate from 40dB to 100dB, this is a large range (roughly a quiet office to a lawnmower). The possible effects of loud compressors include: Woekplace dysfunction and overall chaos.

How loud is an air compressor? ›

The average noise level for an air compressor is 85 dBA. This is higher than a phone's ringtone, which is 70 dBA, but lower than most headphones that can go up to 110 dBA.

How noisy are compressors? ›

Dangers of Loud Equipment

Most air compressors operate from 40dB to 100dB, which is a huge range (roughly a quiet office to a lawnmower).

How loud are pneumatic tools? ›

Large pneumatic tightening tools are loud and will add noise to the manufacturing process. Small pneumatic and electric tools will have a small impact on the overall sound level as they are declared to well below 70 dB(A).

How loud is 70 decibels? ›

Humans can hear decibel levels starting from 0 dB and 120-140 dB is the sound threshold of pain. 70 dB is in the middle of this decibel range. It is equivalent to the sound level of a regular washing machine. It is also equivalent to the noise level in an office environment or inside a car driving at 60 mph.

How loud is 60 decibels? ›

60 decibels is typically considered to be about the level of a normal conversation or background music. This makes it slightly louder than a quiet office, but softer than a vacuum cleaner or a running shower.

How many decibels is compressed air? ›

Compressed air is noisy. Hearing damage can result from the sound of compressed air, which can reach 120-130 decibels (dB) - well above Cal OSHA's 90 dB permissible exposure limit. Can compressed air be used for cleaning? No - because compressed air is so powerful, it must NEVER be used for cleaning.

What is considered a quiet air compressor? ›

The California Air Tools Light & Quiet Portable Air Compressors are designed to be one of the quietest air compressors in the industry. Only 56 decibel noise level.

Can you make an air compressor quieter? ›

Use a sound muffler to quiet your oil-less air compressor intake. Much like a car has an exhaust muffler, you can attach a device to your oil-less compressor to help decrease noise levels by around 2 decibels. Consider installing an intake muffler.

Are pneumatic systems noisy? ›

While pneumatics might be perceived as a cleaner, quieter and more powerful energy source, the air compressor can produce much noise. Noise levels from a single compressor have been known to attain 90 dB, although the average noise level is nearer to 60 dB.

What decibel dB is an equivalent to a pneumatic drill? ›

Regarding noise, the mean level for the electric drill was a time-weighted average of 102 decibels with a peak of 117.7 dB, compared with 116.2 dBA and a peak of 130.4 dB, respectively, for the pneumatic drill.

Can you get silent air compressors? ›

Silent air compressors are typically powered by electricity to reduce the noise. Gas-powered air compressors will always produce a higher volume when being operated. Lastly, your proximity to an air compressor will have a huge impact on the noise levels, the closer you are, the louder it is going to be.

How many decibels is a dog bark? ›

The typical decibel range of a dog bark is between 60 dB and 110 dB, the loudest recorded bark at 113.1 dB, although the majority of dog barks fall between 80 dB and 90 dB. Maximum noise levels inside kennels generally fall between 95 dB to 115 dB.

How many dB is too loud for neighbors? ›

Any noise exceeding 70 dB is considered disturbing. Residential limits usually start at 60 or 55 dB (the equivalent noise of a regular vacuum cleaner). Time limits usually apply after 10 pm and until 7 am. Specifically allowed noise levels will depend on the area where you live and local laws and regulations.

How loud can a human yell in dB? ›

A typical scream can reach levels between 80 to 120 decibels, which is equivalent to the noise produced by a chainsaw or a thunderclap. In certain situations, such as emergencies or extreme emotions, the human voice can reach even higher decibel levels.

Can you soundproof an air compressor? ›

While the use of a soundproof enclosure is the most effective way to eliminate compressor noise, the roaring decibels can still be adequately reduced with the use of sound blankets, which muffle volume by absorbing the high and mid–range frequencies.

Are AC compressors noisy? ›

Essentially, the only noises you should hear coming from your air conditioner are the whirring associated with its start-up and the constant drone of its operation. Any other noise in your air conditioner compressor should be a cause for concern.

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