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Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) are part of the natural environment and are present in the earth’s core and the atmosphere. These fields are also produced wherever electricity or electrical equipment is in use.
When turned on (including ‘standby’ modes) your computer, television, hair dryer, electric blanket and clock radio all produce EMF, as does the photocopier at work, and any other electrical appliances that electric current is flowing through. The electrical wiring in any home or building also produces EMF.
Electrical energy involves ‘voltage’, which is the pressure behind the flow of electricity that produces an electric field, and ‘current’, which is the quantity of electricity flowing that produces a magnetic field.
At extremely low frequencies such as power frequencies, electric and magnetic fields do not normally radiate from their source. They merely exist in the space surrounding their source, and the strengths of the fields decrease rapidly with distance from their source.
On the other hand, at much higher frequencies such as radio frequencies, energy is radiated away from the source and can be detected at great distance. Other familiar examples of radiating fields are television signals, microwaves and sunlight. It is for this reason that power frequency EMFs are described as ‘fields’ and not ‘radiation’.
To find out more, click on the links below.
 What are electric and magnetic fields?
As the name suggests EMF is made up of electric fields and magnetic fields, which each have their own characteristics.
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 EMF is all around us
The magnetic field levels of electrical appliances and equipment on the electricity network can vary depending on its specific electrical rating and the actual current/electrical load, the wiring/cable configuration and distance from the source.
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 EMF and the electricity network
Just like electrical appliances and wiring in your home or office, electrical equipment on an electricity network, such as transformers or overhead and underground powerlines has current flowing through it and produces EMF.
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 Health standards
EnergyAustralia and the rest of the electricity industry have followed interim guidelines for exposure to electric and magnetic fields developed by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
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 The health debate
The debate over whether electric and magnetic fields have any effect on human health began in the 1960s.
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 EnergyAustralia’s position on EMF
Safety around our electricity network is EnergyAustralia’s highest priority and our commitment to safety includes designing new network infrastructure to comply with health guidelines relating to EMF.
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 Prudent avoidance
Prudent avoidance is sometimes used to describe measures adopted around electricity networks to minimise exposure to EMF.
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 EMF brochure
EnergyAustralia has produced a brochure on EMF. To download a PDF version of the brochure click here.
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