How to Measure EMF from Power Lines

How to Measure EMF from Power Lines

Measuring EMF from power lines can be a decent way to arm yourself, whether you’ve just learned about the potential dangers of EMF radiation, or are looking at purchasing a new home and want to make sure it’s safe. It never hurts to err on the side of caution when you’re looking at moving anyway.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at how you can measure the EMF levels from nearby power lines and determine the safety levels around them. Continue on, and you’ll get a deeper look into how power lines and EMF are connected.

Considering Power Lines and EMF

How to Measure EMF from Power Lines

The vast majority of us are familiar with power lines. We see them in all our neighborhoods, moving electricity from place to place. Often, they don’t take up too much space in our minds.

The poles used for carrying power lines are generally quite safe, but the lines themselves are extremely dangerous. Largely, this is because of the electricity they carry. Additionally, some may find themselves concerned by the EMF radiation from the lines.

It can be said that this radiation can come in two types, including those that affect the magnetic field and those that affect the electrical field. While the latter doesn’t tend to be an option, the former is thought to be highly capable of traveling into buildings and the like.

Electric and Magnetic Fields

All radiation that is part of the electromagnetic spectrum is created through the interaction of two forces that are referred to as fields. 

Radiation not only has an electric field it also has a magnetic one. 

The electric fields are forces that act on charged particles, such as protons and electrons (which are parts of atoms), that cause them to move. 

Electric current is simply caused by the flow of electrons that an electric field produces. In most cases the strength of any electric field is expressed as V/m (volts per meter). However, for much stronger electric fields the term kV/m (kilovolts per meter) will be used. 1 Kilovolt is equivalent to 1000 volts. 

As for magnetic fields these are created when charged particles move. How, the strength of these types of fields can be expressed using several different units, such as Tesla (T) or Microtesla (µT). A microtesla is in fact one millionth of a Tesla. Then there is a Gauss (G), which is equal to 100 Microtesla. 

How Do We Get Exposed to EMF Radiation 

Any device that uses electricity will generate and emit EMF radiation. So on a daily basis we are being exposed to the effects of it. 

But how much you are exposed to is dependent on a number of things, including the strength of the electromagnetic field, and the distance you are from the source of it. Also how often you are exposed to it. 

So of course if you happen to live close to power lines which emit a strong electromagnetic field and are exposed to it on a regular basis then of course the effect on you can be quite bad. 

How Safe is it to Live Near Power Lines 

The only way for you to know how safe it is to live near power lines is to measure the strength of the EMF that the ones near you are producing.

The EMF that is generated by power lines radiates outwards and in turn forms EMR (electromagnetic radiation). It is the EMR rather than the EMF that gets measured to be able ascertain whether living close to such equipment is safe or not. 

Unfortunately, don’t think that just looking at the size of the power lines and how close they are to your home will you be able to tell whether living there is safe or not.  

The only way really of being able to determine if living close to power lines is safe or not is through using a reliable EMF meter.  Ideally you want the type that is able to capture and provide you with accurate readings for the magnetic radiation such equipment are emitting. 

This is crucial as this is the most harmful form of radiation that power lines produce. 

Studies carried out have shown that as long as the levels of EMF we are exposed to are kept as low as possible then the risk to our health and that of others around us is reduced. 

Issues from EMF Exposure

How to Measure EMF from Power Lines

There are a variety of issues that people can connect to EMF exposure. In some cases, they are issues that may seem mundane, while in other cases some claim that it can be connected to things like childhood cancer.

A few symptoms and issues they may be connected to EMF exposure include:

  • Illness or infection that becomes frequent
  • Fatigue
  • Problems with sleep
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Some may also associate it with things like infertility and heart disease

If you are experiencing these kinds of symptoms or struggles, it’s worthwhile to visit a medical professional to make sure something else isn’t going on. There is a possibility that these symptoms can be due to illnesses not caused by EMF exposure. Having more information is always going to aid you in making sure you get to live a happy and healthy life.

What to Keep in Mind

Before you get started measuring the EMF in your area, there are a few things worth keeping in mind. The first is just to make sure you do plenty of research on the matter to determine whether or not the radiation around power lines is actually harmful.

Following that, make sure that you’re aware of what kind of EMF you’re measuring. Because there are differences between electrical and magnetic fields, knowing what you’re dealing with can help to guide your decision-making.

Additionally, if you find that your home is too close to high amounts of magnetic field radiation, there’s a possibility you may want to move. This is largely because trying to protect your home from this kind of radiation can be difficult and costly. Moving to an area that is safer can be an easier choice overall. Ultimately, it’s up to you how you will choose to react.

Measuring Power Line EMF

To begin with, you’ll need to have a method on hand for measuring the EMF levels. Most people opt to pick up an EMF meter. When you do this, you’ll want to make sure you have a quality meter and that it’s capable of displaying all of the information you need when you measure.

Once you have your meter, you’ll need to check around your home as well as other areas where you and your family might hang out. That might include places like walking trails, parks, playgrounds and more. Wherever you spend more time is worth taking a look at.

Additionally, when you’re checking the levels at home, you’ll want to make sure anything in your home that may interfere with the measurements is turned off. Some simply opt to shut down the main breaker entirely so that they can see what radiation is actually coming from power lines.

Staying at a Safe Distance

As you may expect, the closer you are to power lines, the higher EMF levels you’re likely to find. That said, you can expect the levels to also differ depending on the kind of power line it is. You really can’t assume that all power lines are going to generate the same levels of EMF.

Another aspect worth keeping in mind is that different levels of EMF can be correlated to different kinds of health problems. As you might imagine, lower levels can have less serious effects while higher levels may result in more serious effects to the health of the people experiencing them.

You’ll also need to know what is considered to be a safe level of EMF in order to determine whether or not your home is safe. Typically, 1mG is considered to be the highest levels should be in areas you’re frequently in, but some may choose to opt for .5mG and under.

As you take a look at EMF levels, keep these measurements in mind. You may also want to do some research on how much wiggle room there is around them. That way, you can create a plan as to what you need to do in response to levels in your home and other areas.

Conclusion

Overall, it’s not difficult to measure EMF levels in your area, and it’s a decent way to make sure the area is safe from radiation. It’s an especially great idea when you’re considering buying a new home, but if you’re worried about the home you already own, it never hurts to check.

Furthermore, researching EMF radiation is always a good idea. The more information you have, the safer you can be and the more peace of mind you can have with regard to the safety of your family, whether that’s in your home or other nearby areas.

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