Although almost everything in your home emits an electromagnetic wave, the average American experiences daily exposure 1,000 times lower than the standard limit. Everything from your hair dryer and clothing iron to your TV and laptop emit electromagnetic waves. With more and more smart technology coming out, this number will only rise.
But what exactly is an electromagnetic wave, and how can you measure your exposure? Let’s find out.
What Are Electromagnetic Waves?
You will hear electromagnetic waves referred to by several names.
- Radiant energy
- Electromagnetic radiation
- Electromagnetic waves
- Light
- Movement of radiation
These waves can carry light, heat, or energy. In the modern world, these waves are responsible for satellite imagery, Bluetooth, GPS systems, and cell phones.
How Do Electromagnetic Waves Work?
To understand how electromagnetic waves work, break down their name. There are electric fields that interact with magnetic currents. A positive charge creates an electric field that radiates out vertically.
An oscillating magnetic current creates waves, which move on a horizontal plane. These two actions work together to create electromagnetic propagation. As one field changes, it affects the other.
The two fields oscillating together create waves.
Electromagnetic Radiation Across the Spectrum
There is a spectrum of wavelengths from tight and compact to spread out and wide. Long lazy waves are radio waves, like the kind that send a signal to the radio in your car. Get slightly tighter, and you have microwaves, which come from your kitchen appliances.
Infrared waves come next, followed by light waves. You will find ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma rays on the tight end of the spectrum.
Are There Health Effects?
Some EMF radiation is harmless, such as radio, microwave, and infrared rays. The tighter the wavelength, the more dangerous the EMF exposure becomes. For example, ultraviolet (UV) rays can give you sunburn with prolonged exposure.
X-rays are also dangerous to the body with prolonged exposure. This is why the technician leaves the room when you get an x-ray. The most dangerous are gamma rays, but exposure risks are low because doctors use them to see deep within the body, or they come from black holes, nuclear reactions, and supernova explosions.
You Need an EMF Meter
The easiest and most common method for measuring waves on the EM spectrum is with an RF meter. It will detect the radiation’s frequency, power, and intensity. Then, it will measure the wavelengths and give you a full list readout of the current electromagnetic radiation in the air.
The way a wavemeter or detector works is by measuring the space between the wavefronts. You can use a probe to get broadband measurements.
The other option is to use a frequency selective measurement. This lets you test for a particular frequency.
You can measure waves on a single or three axes. When using a three axes meter, you can measure the waves coming from three different directions. When reading measurements, use hertz to measure cycle frequency and meters to measure wavelengths.
Measure Electromagnetic Waves
If you are concerned about your exposure to electromagnetic waves, you need a wavemeter. Then you can measure the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves around you.
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