Electric and magnetic fields

Electric field caused by electric charges

When current flows, electrical appliances and wires generate two types of fields: electric and magnetic fields. An electric field is produced as soon as voltage is applied to an appliance or wire. Voltage is the prerequisite that enables current to flow when an appliance is switched on. When current flows, a magnetic field is produced in addition to the electric field. Thus, electrical appliances and wires, with current flowing through them, are surrounded by electric and magnetic fields.

Low-frequency electric and magnetic fields

Alternating current (AC) is mostly used for power supply. In Germany, AC has a frequency of 50 hertz (Hz). This means that the current alternates direction 100 times per second. The electric and magnetic fields alternate direction at the same rhythm as the current. As the frequency of 50 hertz is at the low-frequency end of the electromagnetic spectrum, these fields are referred to as "low-frequency" fields.

Magnetic field caused by current

High-frequency fields, by contrast, have a frequency ranging from 100 kilohertz to many millions of hertz. They are used, for example, in mobile communications and other wireless communication technologies.

Field strengths and units of measurement

The strength of an electric field increases with the voltage applied to the wire. The unit of measurement for voltage is the volt (V). The electric field strength is expressed in volts per metre (V/m).

The strength of a magnetic field around an electric wire depends on the strength of the current flowing through it. Current is expressed in amperes (A), the strength of the magnetic field in amperes per metre (A/m).

Magnetic flux density is mostly used instead of the magnetic field strength, as it additionally takes into account the "magnetisability" of the material penetrated by the magnetic field. The unit of measurement is tesla (T) or microtesla (µT). One microtesla is one-millionth of a tesla (0.000001 T).

Electric and magnetic fields in everyday life

The electric field strengths and the magnetic flux densities of electrical household appliances and house wiring within normal working distance are usually low compared to the existing limit values.

For some appliances higher magnetic flux densities are possible, however, in most cases the exposures are limited to small areas (such as for electric shavers, hair dryers). The exposure of the population to low-frequency fields is, therefore, usually low. This also applies to people living near high-voltage lines.

Electric and magnetic fields fall with increasing distance.

Shielding

Electric fields can be shielded easily, for example by building material. By contrast, a relatively elaborate shielding is required for magnetic fields.