Before we get started
in most cases EMF is probably one of the simplest Regulations to comply with. If it seems complicated, time consuming and expensive, you're probably doing it wrong. We have a simple three step approach to ensuring your risks due to EMF are addressed.
1. Assess where there may be a risk and to whom.
2. Quantify or measure the EM field.
3. Sign off or solve the issue.
Thats it! It couldn't be simpler. Many of the tools we use can be used by yourself without the need for our engineers. However when you do need help, you know we will be there for you with simple solutions.
What is EMF?
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) arise whenever electrical energy is used. So for example, EMF arise from work processes such as RF heating, welding and in the world at large from radio, TV and Telecoms equipment.
What has it got to do with me?
Countries that are members of the EEA (Like the UK) will bring into force Regulations necessary to comply with the Directive by July 1st, 2016. This is a Regulation we will have to comply with. The EU published a Practical Guide in 2016 and HSE, is continuing to work with stakeholders to develop UK Guidance and puwer compliance.
What does it do?
Since the late 1970s, questions have been raised whether exposure to these extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields (EMF) produces adverse health consequences. Long term exposure to high levels of EMFs can give rise to acute effects. The effects that can occur depend on the type of RF energy. At low frequencies, it affects the central nervous system of the body. At high frequencies, heating effects can occur much like they do from a microwave oven. Those heating effects leading to a rise in body temperature.
What do I need to know as an employer or manufacturer?
This directive (2013/35/EU) replaces the previous directive 2004/40/EC and became law in Europe on 1 July 2016. This Directive applies to all industries, but will have the greatest impact on the welding and consumer goods industry. RF, spot and other types of welding equipment generate significant magnetic fields. As an employer, you will need to make an assessment of your employees exposure to EMF. Unfortunately, EMF is not something you can see, feel or touch so it is impossible to quantify the nature of that exposure without special test equipment. So after testing, if the exposure exceeds the limit values, you will need to develop methods of reducing that exposure. Those methods of controlling exposure may include employee information and training, health surveillance or shielding. The main processes likely to be affected are resistance welding, some arc welding processes, RF welding, induction heating and brazing magnetic Particle Inspection.
If you feel that you will fall under this Regulation, then you should act now. The HSE advised businesses to have a plan in place by 2015 and that plan to be ready for 2016 when the law came into effect.
A large part of that plan will be risk assessment and EMF measurement with guidance taken from standards such as BS EN50499:2008 (Procedure for the assessment of the exposure of workers to electromagnetic fields).
MSCS can put that plan together for you if you wish and provide information, guidance and testing services. Simply put, we will look at your equipment and site layout and put together a test plan on your behalf. This could be individual items of plant, perimeter surveys or combinations of the two. We then carry out that testing and give you advice and assistance on corrective measures. And as always, we will match or beat any quote for equivalent services.
Our capabilities
MSCS Ltd has invested heavily in test facilities and equipment. In 2014 we opened our new Open Area Test Site or OATS with great success. In addition to the comprehensive EMC test services, we also provide EMF measurements, site surveys and assessments for a wide range of industrial and commercial equipment. Our test and evaluation services covers most industry sectors including automotive manufacture, welding, household appliances and RF equipment. Assessment of electromagnetic fields (EMF) like EMC, can be an essential part of compliance in CE marking. We offer EMF related testing and assessment in accordance with the EMF Directive (2013/35/EU) and European recommendation 1999/519/EEC for human protection to exposure to magnetic fields.
Our test equipment can be used for measurements in accordance with the following standards:
International
ICNIRP
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
- Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz)
- Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fields (1 Hz to 100 kHz)
- Guidance on determining compliance of exposure to pulsed and complex non-sinusoidal waveforms below 100 kHz
IEC
International Electrotechnical Commission
- IEC 617860-1;
Measurementof DC magnetic, AC magnetic and AC electric fields from 1 Hz to 100 kHz with regard to exposure of human beings- Part 1: Requirements for measuring instruments - IEC 62577;
Evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from a stand-alone broadcast transmitter (30 MHz - 40 Ghz) - IEC 62311;
Assessment of electronic and electrical equipment related to human exposure restrictions for electromagnetic fields (0 Hz - 300 Ghz)
- IEC 62369;
Evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from short range devices (SRDs) in various applications over the frequency range 0 GHz to 300 GHz - Part 1: Fields produced by devices used for electronic article surveillance, radio frequency identification and similar systems - IEC 60601;
Medical electrical equipment - IEC 62369-1;
Evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from short range devices (SRDs) in various applications over the frequency range 0 GHz to 300 GHz – Part 1: Fields produced by devices used for electronic article surveillance, radio frequency identification and similar systems
- IEC 62110;
Magnetic field levels generated by a.c. power systems – Measurement procedures with regard to public exposure - IEC 62233;
Measurement methods for electromagnetic fields of household appliances and similar apparatus with regard to human exposure
European Union
CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
- EN 50400;
Basic standard to demonstrate the compliance of fixed equipment for radio transmission (110 MHz - 40 GHz) intended for use in wireless telecommunication networks with the basic restrictions or the reference levels related to general public exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields, when put into service - EN 50401;
Product standard to demonstrate the compliance of fixed equipment for radio transmission (110 MHz - 40 GHz) intended for use in wireless telecommunication networks with the basic restrictions or the reference levels related to general public exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields, when put into service - EN 50499;
Procedure for the assessment of the exposure of workers to electromagnetic fields
- EN 50496;
Determination of workers' exposure to electromagnetic fields and assessment of risk at a broadcast site - EN 50554;
Basic standard for the in-situ assessment of a broadcast site related to general public exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields - EN 50475;
Basic standard for the calculation and the measurement of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from broadcasting service transmitters in the HF bands (3 MHz – 30 MHz)
- EN 50476;
Product standard to demonstrate the compliance of broadcast station transmitters with the reference levels and the basic restrictions related to public exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (3 MHz - 30 MHz) - EN 50492;
Basic standard for the in-situ measurement of electromagnetic field strength related to human exposure in the vicinity of base stations - EN 50413;
Basic standard on measurement and calculation procedures for human exposure to electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (0 Hz - 300 GHz)
- EN50519;
Assessment of workers' exposure toelectric and magnetic fields of industrial induction heating equipment - EN50444;
Basic standard for the evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from equipment for arc welding and allied processes - EN50505;
Basic standard for the evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from equipment for resistance welding and allied processes
- EN50500;
Measurement procedures of magnetic field levels generated by electronic and electrical apparatus in the railway environment with respect to human exposure - EN 62311;
Assessment of electronic and electrical equipment related to human exposure restrictions for electromagnetic fields (0 Hz - 300 Ghz) - EN 62369;
Evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from short range devices (SRDs) in various applications over the frequency range 0 GHz to 300 GHz - Part 1: Fields produced by devices used for electronic article surveillance, radio frequency identification and similar systems
- EN 62369-1;
Evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from short range devices (SRDs) in various applications over the frequency range 0 GHz to 300 GHz – Part 1: Fields produced by devices used for electronic article surveillance, radio frequency identification and similar systems - EN 62110;
Magnetic field levels generated by a.c. power systems – Measurement procedures with regard to public exposure - EN 62233;
Measurement methods for electromagnetic fields of household appliances and similar apparatus with regard to human exposure
CEPT
European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
- ECC recommendation 02(04)
Measuring non-ionising electromagnetic radiation (9 khz – 300 ghz)
United States of America
- IEEE Std 644 -1994 (R2008);
IEEE Standard Procedures for Measurement of Power Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields From AC Power Lines - IEEE Std C95.1 - 2005;
IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz - IEEE Std C95.1a - 2010;
Amendment 1: Specifies Ceiling Limits for Induced and Contact Current, Clarifies Distinctions between Localized Exposure and Spatial Peak Power Density - IEEE Std C95.6 - 2002 (R2007);
IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields, 0–3 kHz