Electro Magnetic Radiation

Introduction
• In January 1993, on a flight from Denver,
Colorado, to Newark, NJ, the aircraft lost all
directional gyros (electromechanical devices
that indicate orientation) at cruise altitude.
• The captain instructed the flight attendant to
go through the cabin and tell all passengers to
turn off their electronic devices.
• She reported back that about 25 passengers
with portable radios had been listening to a
football game and one passenger was using a
lap top computer.
• After five minutes, the gyros still failed to
operate properly. On rechecking, the flight
attendant found that the radios were still on.
• Using the loudspeaker system, the captain
immediately told all passengers using such
devices to turn them off because they were
affecting the navigation equipment.
• After 90 seconds, the gyros corrected
themselves to the proper heading. But 20
minutes later, they "began moving off the
correct heading by as much as 20-30 degrees."
• The captain then picked up the mike and told
the passengers that if they did not turn the
radios off, he could have the flight attendant
go through the cabin and confiscate all radios
until they reached Newark.
• Within two minutes, the gyros began to swing
back towards the correct heading. No further
incidents occurred.
• Prior to the recent post industrial revolution,
human exposure to electromagnetic energies
was restricted to natural occurring radiation.
• In the last 50 years, man made
electromagnetic energy leaking into the
environment has grown exponentially.
• This leaked electromagnetic energy is not
intentional and causes interferences with the
environment and human body.
The power density of electromagnetic interference in an
average urban environment since 1945.
• This is a photograph of 1,301 florescent light
tubes arrayed in a field beneath standard high
power electrical lines.
• The energy causing them to glow is the
magnetic field leaked by those high power
electrical lines into the environment.
• All life on Earth has adapted to survive in an
environment of weak, natural low-frequency
electromagnetic fields .
• Natural low-frequency EM fields come from
two main sources: the sun and thunderstorm
activity.
• . But in the last 100 years, man-made fields at
much higher intensities and with a very
different spectral distribution have altered
this natural EM background in ways that are
not yet fully understood.
• It has been known since the early days of
radio that RF energy can cause interference in
most of the wireless operated systems and in
devices which process extremely low power
signals associated with control systems and in
medical equipments.
• Very high density of Electromagnetic Fields
have been known to have resulted in injuries
by heating body tissue.
• These heat-related health hazards are called
thermal effects.
• James Clerk Maxwell first formally postulated
electromagnetic waves.
• These were subsequently confirmed by
Heinrich Hertz. Maxwell derived a wave form
of the electric and magnetic equations, thus
uncovering the wave-like nature of electric
and magnetic fields, and their symmetry.
• Because the speed of EM waves predicted by
the wave equation coincided with the
measured speed of light, Maxwell concluded
that light itself is an EM wave.
• According to Maxwell's equations, a spatially
varying electric field causes the magnetic field
to change over time. Likewise, a spatially
varying magnetic field causes changes over
time in the electric field
• In an electromagnetic wave, the changes
induced by the electric field shift the wave in
the magnetic field in one direction; the action
of the magnetic field shifts the electric field in
the same direction. Together, these fields
form a propagating electromagnetic wave.
• Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is energy in
waves (like visible light), emitted from a
source. It travels at the speed of light.

• This energy is both electrical and magnetic.

The waves alternate rapidly, from positive to
negative in electrical terms, and from North to
South pole in magnetic terms.
• Electricity and magnetism are very closely
related in nature. For example, when an
alternating magnetic wave penetrates a body
(including yours!) an alternating electric
current will flow inside that body.
• Electromagnetic radiation from a source
penetrates the surrounding area, creating an
electromagnetic field (EMF). This EMF is
strongest at the source, and weakens with
increasing distance until it becomes too small
to measure.
• A strong EMF can be due to a powerful source
of radiation far away, or a weak radiation
source very close by.

• Some forms of electromagnetic radiation are

more penetrating than others.
• Visible light for example, can penetrate
certain materials (like air, water and glass) but
will not penetrate brick walls or metal sheets.
It doesn't penetrate far into human flesh.

• X-rays will penetrate human flesh and leave

an image on a photographic plate. Gamma
rays will travel straight through that
photographic plate!
• Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) radiation
(such as from a mains electrical appliance)
will actually penetrate concrete pillars and
metal sheets, and of course, human flesh and
bone.
• In practical terms, the intensity or strength of
an electromagnetic field at any particular
point depends upon
– the amount of electrical and magnetic energy
radiating from its source

– the distance from that source

– the extent to which the radiation has been

absorbed (or blocked, or shielded).
• The electric field and magnetic field
components of the EMF can be separately
measured.

Electrical field strength can be measured in

volts per metre (V/m) or as power density in
milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm2).
• Magnetic fields can be quantified in milligauss
(mG) or microTesla

• (1 microTesla = 10 milliguass).

• The visible light spectrum is a portion of the

electromagnetic spectrum. Visible light ranges
from 1014Hz to 1015Hz.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
• A good way of visualizing the EM spectrum is
to think of all these types of rays as different
colours, of which we can only see a few (those
in the visible light range). The other "colours"
are all invisible to us.
 Low Frequency EMFs (ELF and VLF)
• The ELF band includes the important power-
line frequency (60 Hz in US and 50 Hz
elsewhere) which contributes greatly to our
electromagnetic pollution.
• Power-lines, house-wiring and electrical
appliances all create EMFs of this frequency.
• When the appliance is switched on and a
current actually flows through it, the
appliance (and its supply wire) will generate a
magnetic field as well as an electric field. (A
magnetic field is always generated when an
alternating electrical current flows).
• For low frequency EMFs, the electric field is
easily shielded. But the magnetic field
penetrates most materials, including brick or
concrete walls. It has no trouble penetrating a
human body.
• Because of this penetration, the magnetic
field is the more important component of low
frequency EMF, so this is the component that
is usually measured - in milligauss (mG).
 Radio Frequency EMF
• The radio frequency band includes AM and FM
radio and TV (VHF) transmissions.
For this type of EMF, the magnetic field strength
is proportional to the electric field strength. Both
are equally penetrating, so you can't separate
one from the other. If you know the magnetic
field strength, you can calculate the electric field
strength, and vice versa.
It's easier to measure the electric field, so the
intensity is quantified in Volts per metre (V/m).
 Microwave EMF
• The microwave band includes radiation from
cell phones, cell phone towers, other
communications systems and microwave
ovens.

As for Radio waves, the magnetic field

strength is proportional to the electric field
strength, so we measure the electric field
strength in Volts per metre (V/m)
• These are high energy waves which penetrate
deep into the human body, just as the
microwaves in your oven penetrate deep into
your food.
• The transmission of electrical energy through
wires, the broadcasting of radio signals and
the phenomenon of visible light are examples
of electromagnetic fields (EMF).
• EMF always consists of both an electrical field
and a magnetic field. It occurs in a wide range
of frequencies, spanning what is called the
electromagnetic spectrum.
• Electricity is the most common source of
power throughout the world because it is
easily generated and transmitted to where it
is needed.
• As electricity moves through wires and
machines, it produces EMF.
• Once electricity is delivered to the user, it
continues to produce EMF throughout the
wiring systems of offices, homes, schools,
factories and other structures.
• The appliances and electrical equipment
connected to these wiring systems produce
their own EMF as well.
• In the workplace the generators of EMF
include computers, cell phones, fax
machines, copy machines, fluorescent lights,
printers, scanners, telephone (PBX) switching
systems, electrical instruments, motors and
other electrical devices.
• In homes, the immediate sources of EMF
include
– heaters, hairdryers, electric shavers, television
sets, stereo systems, air conditioners, fluorescent
lights, electric can openers, telephone answering
machines, cell and portable phones, refrigerators,
blenders, portable heaters, clothes washers and
dryers, coffee makers, vacuum cleaners, toasters,
and microwave ovens.
• EMF is not only produced by electricity
moving through wires or machines, but it is
the nature of all television and satellite
transmissions, as well as radio and microwave
communication systems, including cell
phones.
• Transportation methods such as
automobiles, trucks, airplanes, electrical and
magnetic trains and subway systems are
significant sources of EMF.
• More than one source of EMF in proximity to
other sources will produce overlapping fields
in the same area.
• Any metropolitan home or office environment
in the world will be saturated by a variety of
interpenetrating EMF from a variety of
sources.
 Sources of EMI

EEE381B
 Continuous versus Transient EMI

EEE381B
 Typical EMI characteristics

EEE381B
 Intersystem EMI
• Intersystem compatibility concerns the compatible
operation of the equipment with all other systems
with which it must operate or interact with, including
its environment.
• For example in a military context, it may imply that
restrictions are placed upon how close an aircraft
may fly to a ground based transmitter.

EEE381B
 Illustrative Intersystem EMI

EEE381B
 Intrasystem EMI
• Intrasystem compatibility refers to the compatibility
among each of the subsystems that are required to
operate as a whole. Each subsystem must not
interfere with any other, and each must be free of
interference.
• The design of military equipment in this regard is
highly regulated by specific equipment standards.

EEE381B
 Illustrative Intrasystem EMI

EEE381B
 Standards
• Numerous commercial (civil) and military standards
exist to guide and govern electromagnetic
compatibility.
• The broad objective of each is to ensure that
electromagnetic compatibility is achieved (and
assured) by requiring equipment manufacturers to
“design for” and “built to” acceptable levels of
interference and protection.

EEE381B
 A sample of national standards

EEE381B
 MIL-STD-461

EEE381B
 Potential Sources of EMR
• The list could be endless starting with
seemingly harmless AC (alternating current)
operating devices to all the intentional and
non- intentional transmitters.
• Appreciable radiation occurs as the size of the
components and connecting wires approaches
one tenth of the wavelength of the operating
frequency.
• The intensity of the field so radiated also
depends on the power handled by the device.
• To name a few tube lights, spark plugs,
washing machines, music systems, power
amplifiers, computers, lifts, air conditioners,
cable TV, computer screen etc all fall in the
category of non-intentional transmitters but
can be potential source of Electromagnetic
Radiations.
• All radio and TV broadcasting systems,
telecommunication systems and equipments,
RADARS, mobile phones etc are intentional
transmitters of Electromagnetic Radiations
and may result in typical effects on various
systems in addition to causing serious
interference problems and affecting human
body.
• An AC electric current is defined as the
movement of electrons in roughly the same
direction, usually through a wire.
• This current, in turn, produces two types of
fields: an AC electric field and an AC magnetic
field, which together are called an
electromagnetic field.
• The AC electric fields result from the strength
of the charge and the AC magnetic fields
result from the motion of the charge (i.e., the
flow of electrons comprising the electric
current).
• The AC electric field represents the force that
electric charges exert on other charges, and
this force may either repel (as with two
positive charges, for example) or attract.
• The AC magnetic field forms a closed
continuous doughnut-shaped loop around the
current and radiates at a right angle to the
direction of the current.
• People can sense an electric field of more
than about 20 kilovolts/meter (kV/m) as a
slight tingling sensation on their skin.
• This level can be found underneath high
voltage power lines. On the other hand, most
people cannot feel the presence of AC
magnetic fields except at extraordinarily
strong levels
• Radiation is a broad term meaning the
transmission of energy in the form of waves
through space or through a material medium
and also the radiated energy itself.
• The force field associated with radiation is the
region throughout which the radiation is
measurable.
• Sometimes electromagnetic radiation is
called EMR, while electromagnetic fields are
frequently referred to as EMF.
• EMF can be either man-made or occur
naturally. Examples of electromagnetic
radiation, in order of increasing frequency, are
extremely low frequency (ELF), very low
frequency (VLF), radio waves, microwaves,
infrared (heat), visible light, ultraviolet, X-
rays, and gamma rays.
• All electromagnetic radiation travels at the
speed of light.
• Fields from compact sources containing coils
or magnets (transformers, appliances, and
computer displays, for example) diminish
most rapidly with distance F in proportion
with the distance cubed (1/d**3; d =
distance ).
• Fields from long wire conductors in power
lines drop off in proportion with the distance
squared (1/d**2), provided the currents
flowing in opposite directions are well-
balanced.
• If we recall that magnetic fields can induce an
electric current in a nearby conductor, the
implication is that AC magnetic fields will
induce electric currents in our bodies
(although such currents will be very small).
• That's because our bodies are mostly
comprised of a conductive medium (salty
water).
• The way in which electromagnetic radiation
affects the body is not fully known.
• One theory is that EMF causes the cell walls to
vibrate.
• In the case of EMF, resonance with cells
occurs when there is a "match" between the
wavelength of the radiation and the physical
size of the cell
• .The resonance maximizes the transfer of
energy into the cell, and can result in
observable biological effects which may be
harmful.
• One observable effect is a disruption in the
calcium flow through cell walls.
• Calcium acts as a messenger that penetrates
into the cell, conveying important information
and triggering proteins to carry out cell
functions.
• Calcium also plays an important role in
regulating certain body functions, such as
muscle contractions, heartbeat, and cell
division.
• Since cancer growth depends on cell
proliferation, these findings seem to explain
why EMF sometimes behaves like agents that
promote, rather than initiate, cancerous
growths.
• Another theory is that the altered calcium
flow to the cell reduces the cell's ability to
fight cancer.
 POWER LINES
• An enormous amount of electricity is created
at power generating stations and sent across
the country through wires that carry high
voltages.
• These voltages can be 69,000, 100,000,
161,000, 230,000, 500,000, or even 765,000
volts. All power lines emit magnetic and
electric fields.
• The electric field is proportional to the line
voltage, while the magnetic field depends on
the load current.
• The ELF magnetic field emitted by a 500,000
volt transmission line can be as high as several
hundred mG directly underneath the power
line, and the field can still be measured (at
reduced levels) more than a thousand feet
away.
• Many appliances generate AC electric and AC
magnetic fields, even when they are turned
off.
• For example, televisions with remote
controls still have current flowing when not
in use.
• This current generates EMF, although it is
less than when the TV is in use. Radios, too,
may produce EMF even when turned off.
• If you need to watch TV in a confined space,
you should consider purchasing a small LCD
TV.
• They have quite a strong electric field at 1
inch, but at the distance of 1 foot,the
magnetic fields are negligible.
• With ever increasing use of modern digital
technology in almost all the modern
processing and communication equipments
the threat of unintentional Electromagnetic
Radiation is further enhanced.
• As all digital signals positively have a very
large bandwidth, its increasing use will result
in Electromagnetic Radiations in almost all the
frequency ranges there by leaving a possibility
of affecting most of electronic devices and
also human beings.
 Some Typical Effects of EMR
• Electromagnetic Interference: Interference is
the energy levels introduced by electronic or
communications systems that have a
detrimental effect on other systems.
• Any electronic system is capable of receiving
Electromagnetic Radiations if the size of the
components or connecting wires approaches
one tenth of frequency that may be present in
the surrounding environment due to any
intentional or unintentional transmitter.
• Depending on the intensity of this unwanted
received radiation there could be instances of
malfunctioning of the device receiving this
energy.
• There have been number of instances where
such a condition had resulted in catastrophic
failure of the equipments.
• Effects on Human Body: Body tissues that are
subjected to very high levels of RF energy may
suffer serious heat damage.
• These effects depend upon the frequency of
the energy, the power density of the RF field
that strikes the body, and even on factors
such as the polarization of the wave.
• In 1992, a patient attached to a monitor-
defibrillator in an ambulance died because of
interference from the ambulance radio
prevented the machine from working .
• o In 1987, patient monitoring systems failed
to sound alarms because of interference; two
patients died as a result
• The use of many items of electronics
equipment in close proximity in the hospital
environment means that the same sort of
EMC problems are encountered as with other
types of electronic products.
• However there are some special features of
the hospital EM environment:
– Failure of medical devices can lead to injury or
death
– Some equipment found in hospitals is
intentionally designed to emit electromagnetic
energy, often for therapy. Other equipment,
which may be located nearby, is designed to
detect very small physiological signals. This
combination has the potential to create EMC
Problems.
– Also in hospitals, there is the question of whether
to ban or restrict the use of mobile phones.
– They improve communications but can interfere
with critical equipment.
 Conclusion
• With ever increasing use of the spectrum due
to modern communication equipments and
also use of latest digital processing techniques
for most of the devices there is a need for
laying down the guidelines for Emission
standards.
• The extent of the spurious radiation by any
device should be limited to the extent possible
without increasing the cost of the product.
• Various governmental and nongovernmental
agencies must come forward at national and
international level to coordinate and
standardize the permissible radiation limits.