EM Spectrum

Below is a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum, from AM radio waves all the way through
gamma radiation. Electromagnetic frequencies above visible light are termed ionizing radiation, while
those below are termed non-ionizing.
The majority of interference in electronic equipment is caused by electromagnetic fields with
frequencies toward the bottom of the EM spectrum.

The abbreviation EMF can be used to describe both 'electromagnetic force' and
electromagnetic fields.
Electrical power in Australia is generated at 50 cycles per second (50 Hz). The electro-
magnetic fields produced by 50Hz power supplies are classified as extremely low
frequency (ELF) fields. Higher frequencies include RF - Radio Frequency, UHF - Ultra
High Frequency or VHF - Very High Frequency.

Different electrical frequencies have different effects on their surrounding environment.

EMF radiates out from the source (hence the term electromagnetic radiation), reducing in
strength with distance. Building materials such as concrete and brick do little to stop
them.

Common sources of EMF in buildings are transformers, switchboards, mains cables,

motors and appliances. A sub-station transformer may radiate significant fields over a
distance of several metres, whereas fields from a mobile phone charger or a refrigerator
motor don't reach even a metre.Fields can be measured in units of microtesla (µT)or
another unit called milligauss (mG)
 EMI Shielding deals in the protection of equipment and people from ELF - extremely
low frequency electro-magnetic fields only. Shielding of low frequency magnetic fields
requires different materials and methods than shielding for RFI radio frequency
interference.

The main effects of EMFs are:

- interference with specialist electrical and computer
equipment

- interference with CRT (cathode ray tube) computer monitors causing screen shimmer

- biological effects are not fully understood however, it is known that each frequency is
absorbed at a different rate by living tissue and there has been uncertainty about the
health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields.

- some research has implicated exposure to EMF's in cases of leukemia,

neurodegenerative diseases, miscarriage and clinical depression

- The World Health Organisation, ARPANSA (the Australian Radiation Protection

agency) and other international regulatory bodies agree that ELF's are "possibly
carcinogenic" and that this effect is likely to be associated with "prolonged exposure".

Given the uncertainty surrounding the effects of EMF's there is no regulatory standard for
use in Australia.

The commonly accepted practice is to limit exposure in workspaces to not more than
10mG(milligauss) and in residential facilities to not more than 4mG.

Shielding is only used to protect areas that are at risk from electrical hazard, equipment
interference or where people will spend prolonged periods of time eg. offices,
workstations, bedrooms, loungerooms etc...

Shielding is not always required for electro-magnetic interference. Other measures are
minimisation or prudent avoidance, for example, rectification of electrical anomalies may
reduce EMF.

Other EMI mitigation alternatives include repositioning of cabling and/or equipment,

careful design of electrical installations and repositioning of furniture etc..