The action values referred in the table below are obtained from the exposure limit values

according to the rationale used by the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation

Protection (ICNIRP) in its guidelines on limiting exposure to non-ionising radiation (ICNIRP
7/99).Those limits are mentioned in the DIRECTIVE 2004/40/EC OF THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL.
Frequency range

0,025 0,82 kHz

Electric
field
strength, E
(V/m)
500/f(Hz)

Magnetic
field
strength, H
(A/m)
20/f(Hz)

Magnetic flux
density, B
(T)

Contact
current,
IC(mA)

25/f(Hz)

1,0

Exposure limit for

current density for head
and trunk J (mA/m2)
(rms) for f=4-1000 Hz
10

The exposure limit values (ELV) and action levels (AL) from THE DIRECTIVE
2013/35/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL are presented in the
table below:
Health effects ELVs for internal electric field strength from 1 Hz to 10 MHz
Frequency range
1 Hz f < 3 kHz

Health effects ELVs

1,1
Vm 1 (peak)

Sensory effects ELVs for internal electric field strength from 1 to 400 Hz
Frequency range
25 f 400 Hz

Sensory effects ELVs

0,0028 f(Hz)
Vm 1 (peak)

ALs for exposure to electric fields from 1 Hz to 10 MHz

Frequency range
25 f < 50 Hz
50 Hz f < 1,64 kHz

Electric field strength Low ALs (E)

[Vm 1 ] (RMS)
5,0 10 5 /f (Hz)
5,0 10 5 /f (Hz)

Electric field strength High ALs (E)

[Vm 1 ] (RMS)
2,0 10 4
1,0 10 6 /f (Hz)

ALs for exposure to magnetic fields from 1 Hz to 10 MHz

Frequency range

25 f < 300 Hz

Magnetic flux
density Low ALs(B)
[T] (RMS)
1,0 10 3

Magnetic flux density

High ALs(B) [T]
(RMS)
3,0 10 5 /f (Hz)

Magnetic flux density ALs for

exposure of limbs to a localised
magnetic field [T] (RMS)
9,0 10 5 /f (Hz)

ALs for contact current I C

Frequency
up to 2,5 kHz

ALs (I C ) steady state contact current [mA] (RMS)

1,0

ALs for magnetic flux density of static magnetic fields

Hazards
Interference with active implanted devices, e.g.
cardiac pacemakers
Attraction and projectile risk in the fringe field
of high field strength sources (> 100 mT)

ALs(B 0 )
0,5 mT
3 mT

ICNIRP static magnetic field limits:

Exposure characteristics
Occupational
Exposure of head and of trunk
Exposure of limbs

Magnetic flux density

2T
8T

General Public
Exposure of any part of the body

400 mT

ICNIRP limits for time-varying electric and magnetic fields

Exposure characteristic
Occupational exposure

Frequency range

Internal electric field (V m -1)

CNS tissue of the head

All tissues of head and body

25 Hz - 400 Hz
1 Hz - 3 kHz

2x10-3 f (Hz)
0.8

25 Hz - 1000 Hz
1 Hz 3 kHz

4x 10-4 f (Hz)
0.4

General Public exposure

CNS tissue of the head
All tissues of head and body

ICNIRP limits for time-varying electric and magnetic fields (unperturbed rms values).
Exposure type
Occupational
exposure
General Public

Frequency range
25 Hz - 300 Hz

E-field strength
E(kV m-1)
5x102/f (Hz)

25 Hz - 50 Hz
50 Hz - 400 Hz

5
2,5x102/f (Hz)

Magnetic field
Magnetic flux
strength H (A m-1) density B (T)
8x102
1x10-3
1,6x102
1,6x102

2x10-4
2x10-4

ICNIRP reference levels for time- varying contact currents from conductive objects
Exposure characteristics
Occupational exposure
General public exposure

Frequency range
Up to 2,5 kHz
Up to 2,5 kHz

Maximum contact current (mA)

1
0,5

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) - The Interstate Natural Gas
Association of America (INGAA)

Illustration of HVAC Fault Condition

Inductive and Conductive Interference
(Resistive coupling)

Illustration of an induced current in a fence

The four coupling mechanisms are:

Resistive (or galvanic) coupling: The noise signal is transferred via electrical connections. This
works at all frequencies, and is usually fixed by good layout (particularly the ground layout) and
filtering with capacitors and inductors or lower signal levels with RC elements. Common
impedance coupling can be classified as galvanic coupling.
Capacitive coupling: Electrical fields are the main transmission path. Capacitance levels are mostly
small so this affects small signals and/or high frequencies. Shielding the source using thin
conductive layers is most effective.
Inductive coupling: This transmission path is quite common in switched-mode power supplies since
high frequency currents in the inductors can cause strong magnetic fields at higher frequencies,
where the coupling factors can be higher. Magnetic shielding is less effective than electric shielding
since the absorption depth is smaller, requiring thicker materials. Inductive coupling is best
addressed at the source.
Wave coupling: Here, the noise typically has a high frequency, and is transmitted via an
electromagnetic wave. It does not play a major role in power supplies, since frequencies are not
high enough, and can be damped very effectively with shielding.

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA)

Touch and Step Potential Limits:

Both NACE and CSA standards recommend reducing the steady state touch and step
potential below 15 V at any location where a person could contact the pipeline or any electrically
continuous appurtenance. The 15 V threshold is designed to limit the available maximum current
through a typical human body to less than 10 mA. An 8 to 15 mA current results in a painful shock
but is still in the maximum let go current range, for which a person can release an object or
withdraw from contact.

Mitigation Techniques:
-

Supplemental grounding of the pipeline with sacrificial anodes or other grounding means;
Bonding the pipeline to individual power line pole grounds or towers through the use of
polarization cells;
Installation of parallel mitigation wires bonded to the pipeline at regular intervals;
In the case of wire fences insulated from ground on wooden posts a common mitigation
measure for eliminating the potential for shock is to install grounding wires;
Bonding the pipeline to purposefully designed made grounds;
Changing phase relationships between multiple power line circuit conductors;
Use of Faraday cages with sacrificial anodes;
Relocation of the pipeline or power line to provide greater separation from the influencing
power system.
Installation of a non-metallic pipeline such as high-density polyethylene pipe, if design
pressures permit.
Installation of gradient control electrodes or mats at all aboveground appurtenances;
Security fencing around above-ground appurtenances do not mitigate induced voltages but
they do limit access to the structure.

From http://psc.wi.gov/thelibrary/publications/electric/electric10.pdf we find out the corridor

sharing drawbacks:

The http://www.emfs.info/ mention the following values for the magnetic fields from UK rail
systems:

UK limits on static electric field

For most people, the annoying perception of surface electric charge will not occur at field strengths
less than 25 kV/m. Spark discharges causing stress or annoyance should be avoided.
NRPB's advice to Government in 2004 for static fields:
General public exposure
100 It is concluded that restricting time-weighted average magnetic flux density of 40 mT for
whole-body exposure is appropriate for the general public.
101 Exposures in excess of 40 mT are appropriate for occasional access to special facilities under
controlled conditions provided that the occupational exposure restrictions are not exceeded.
Paper EMC Problems caused by Combinations of EHV Transmission Lines and Electrified
Railway Lines presents a study of the influences between the railways and the HV
transmission lines.

In this paper an analysis of ac interference caused by high voltage power lines on

neighbouring railroad tracks with the following results:

In Romania accordingly to PE 111 the perturbation sources from a power station will be:
- Primary equipment commutation
- Atmospheric discharges
- Secondary equipment commutation
- Partially discharges of the primary equipment

- Earth faults on the secondary circuits

Required immunity limits for the carcase port.

Perturbation Type

Base
standard

Radiant magnetic field

at industrial frequency

SR EN
61000-4-8

Radiant
electromagnetic field
80 MHz 3000 MHz*.
Electrostatic discharges

Equipments installed in
Medium voltage power stations
High voltage power stations
and substations
Strictness
level
2

Typical values
3 A/m, permanent

Strictness
level
2

Typical values
3 A/m, permanent

100 A/m, permanent

1000 A/m, for 1 s

100 A/m, permanent

1000 A/m, for 1 s

SR EN
61000-4-3

10 V/m**

10 V/m**

SR EN
61000-4-2

6 kV by contact
8 kV by air

6 kV by contact
8 kV by air

* For values > 1 GHz the testing should be effectuated in the specified frequency spectre form the
base standard.
** At this level, the transmitter of the signal source can be placed at a distance of 1 2 m of the
tested equipment.

The most important measures for electromagnetic perturbation reduction are:

- suitable designing and testing of the secondary equipments for the frequency amplitude and
energy contained by the disturbance, to ensure the granted immunity level.
- suitable construction of the measure transformers (voltage and current); effective shielding
between the primary and secondary windings, testing the behaviour at high frequency
transmissions;
- exclusive using of screened cables for the secondary circuits, and even cables with a special
construction; screen earthing at both sides is usually advantageous.
- installation in canals and ditches, in parallel with the cables, of some earthing conductors to reduce
the current to through the screen and to inductive couple the secondary circuit to the earthing
system.
- for the gas isolated power stations, supplementary is recommended:

to link the concrete reinforcement to the earthing system, especially the floor;
ensure a good screening at the level of the isolated crossings
galvanic connection between high voltage cable screens to the earthing system.
Emission limits - Access through the carcase

Perturbation
Frequency range
Limits
The procedure for
Emission Source
determination
Emission through
30 MHz 230 MHz
40 dB (V/m)
SR EN 60255-25
230 MHz -1000 MHz
47 dB (V/m)
radiation
Note: The limits given in this table are measured at a distance of 10 m.
Emission limits Access through the auxiliary ports
Emission Source

Frequency range

Limits

The procedure for

determination

0.15 MHz 0.50

MHz
Emission through
conduction

79 dB (V/m)
66 dB (V/m)
73 dB (V/m)
60 dB (V/m)
73 dB (V/m)
60 dB (V/m)

0.5 MHz 5 MHz

5 MHz 30 MHz

SR EN 60255-25

Limit levels (IRPA) for the electrical field [kV/m]

Public
5 (p), 10 (a)

Professional
10 to 30 (a)

State
Recommendation

Based
Current Density

(p) up to 24 hours per day. Its referring to open spaces where the public is spending most of the
time of a day.
(a) up to a few hours per day
(b) number of hours per working day t=80/ E, where E=10.30 kV/m
Limit levels (IRPA) for the magnetic field [mT]
Public
0.1 (n), 1 (a)

Professional
0.5 (p), 5 (b d)

State
Recommendation

Based
Current Density

(n) up to 24 hours per day, for open spaces where the public spends the time during a day
(a) up to a few hours per day
(p) for a full working day
(b) at most 2 hours per working day
(d) for body parts are accepted bigger values.
In the study Electromagnetic Compatibility of Electric Power Plant an graphic with the for
determining the mutual inductance M (H/km) for f=50 Hz, depending on the distance d (m) and
specific resistance (soil resistivity)

Also the same study give the basic characteristics of different types of electromagnetic
effects

Source

Frequency domen

Mechanism of the effects

Reach

Electric field
Magnetic field
Electromagnetic field

Low frequency
Low frequency
High frequency

capacity
inductance
combined

Short
Short
Long

On http://www.myinsulators.com/ website can be found some information Interference Between

Power and Telecom Lines
In some cases, the electromagnetically induced current in the communication circuit may be so
great as to render speech impossible. The disturbances can be kept down by means of a thorough
transposition of the conductors of both the power line and the telephone line. This transposition has

the effect of splitting the induced E.M.F. into a series of mutually opposing E.M.F.s, the principle
being identical with that underlying the transposition of heavy laminated conductors in large
alternators and transformers. In the case of a telephone line running parallel to a single-circuit
power line, if the power line has no branch lines, i.e. the current is constant throughout its length,
and the spacings and distances between the two circuits remain constant, then a single transposition
of the conductors of the telephone line is theoretically sufficient, but with both circuits run on the
same towers it may be necessary to transpose the power conductors every three or four miles, and
the telephone conductors about every 500 feet. The number of transpositions necessary is governed
largely by the sensitiveness of the receiving apparatus. In the case of a telephone line running
parallel to a double-circuit power line, the problem is much more difficult, and it is necessary to
transpose the conductors of both power lines in addition to those of the telephone line. A possible
scheme is shown in Fig. 9.4, from which it will be seen that the scheme of transposition is a regular
one for each individual circuit, and that it is arranged that not more than one transposition will take
place at any one point in the line.

Inductive coupling study:

Inductive coupling and how to minimize their effects in industrial installations:
Inductive Coupling
The disturbing cable and the victim cable are accompanied by a magnetic field. The
level of disturbance depends on the variation of the current (di/dt) and the mutual inductance
coupling.

Inductive Coupling Physical Representation and Equivalent Circuit

The inductive coupling increases with:
- Frequency: the inductive reactance is directly proportional to the frequency (XL = 2fL)
- The distance between disturbing and victim cables and the cable length which are parallel
- The cable height in relation to the reference plane (above ground)
- The load impedance of the cable or the disturbing circuit.

Inductive Coupling between Conductors

Methods to reduce the effect of Inductive Coupling Between Cables
1. Limit the cables length running in parallel
2. Increase the distance between the disturbing cable and the victim cable
3. Ground one shield end of both cables
4. Reduce the dv/dt of the disturbing cable, increasing the signal rise time, whenever possible
(resistors connected in series or PTC resistors in the disturbing cable, ferrite gaskets in the
disturbing and/or victim cable).

Inductive Coupling between Cable and Field

Methods to reduce the effect of Inductive Coupling Between Cable and Field:
1. Limit the cable height (h) to the ground
2. Whenever possible place the cable near the metal surface
3. Use twisted cables
4. Use ferrite orings and EMI 4 filters

Inductive Coupling between Cable and Ground Loop

Methods to reduce the effect of Inductive Coupling Between Cable and Ground Loop:
1. Decrease the cable height (h) and length
2. Whenever possible place the cable near the metal surface
3. Use twisted cables
4. On high frequencies ground the shield at two points (be careful) and on low frequencies at a
single point

Minimum Distance of Separation between Cabling

Interference between Cables: magnetic fields through inductive coupling between cables and induce
current transient (pickups electromagnetics)
The electromagnetic interference can be reduced:
1. Twisted cable
2. Optical insulation
3. Through the use of channels and grounded metal boxes

Mutual Inductance between Two Conductors

To minimize the induction effect use the twisted pair cable that reduces the area (S) and
decreases the induced Vb voltage effect in function of the B field, balancing the effects (average of
the effects according to the distances):

The twisted pair consists of pairs of wires. The wires are wound in a spiral in order to,
through the cancelation effect, reduce noise and maintain the electrical properties of the medium
constant throughout its length.
The reduction effect using the twist is efficient due to the cancellation of the flow, called the Rt (in
dB):
Rt = -20 log{(1/( 2nl +1 ))*[1+2nlsen(/n)]} dB
,where n is the number of turns/m and l is the cable total length.
The cancellation effect reduces the crosstalk between the pair of wires and decreases the
level of electromagnetic /radiofrequency interference. The number of wire twists may vary in order
to reduce the electrical coupling. Its construction provides a capacitive coupling between the pair
conductors. It works more effectively at low frequencies (< 1 MHz). When not shielded, it has the
disadvantage of the common-mode noise. For low frequencies, that is, when the cable length is
smaller than 1/20 of the noise frequency wavelength, the shielding (mesh or shield) will present the
same potential through its entire extension, when the shield should be connected at only one
grounding point. At high frequencies, that is, when the cable length is longer than 1/20 of the noise
frequency wavelength, the shielding will have high susceptibility to noise and should be grounded
at both ends.
In the case of the Vnoise = 2BAcos inductive coupling, where B is the field and is the
angle at which the flow cuts the area vector (A) or, still, in function of the mutual inductance M:
Vnoise = 2fMI, where l is the power cable current.

Inductive Coupling Effect in Parallel Cables

Minimizing the Inductive Coupling Effect in Twisted Cables

Example of Noise per Induction

Examples of Profibus Cable Near to Power Cable

The use of twisted pair cable is very efficient provided that the induction in each twist area
is approximately equal to the adjacent induction. It is efficient in differential mode, balanced
circuits, and has low efficiency in low frequencies in unbalanced circuits. In high frequency circuits
with multi-point grounding, the efficiency is high as the return current tends to flow by the adjacent
return. However, at high frequency common-mode the cable has little efficiency.
The use of shielding in inductive coupling:
Magnetic shielding can be applied in noise sources or in signal circuits to minimize the
coupling effect.
To shield low-frequency magnetic fields is not so easy as to shield electrical fields. The
magnetic coupling effectiveness depends on the type of material and its permeability, its thickness
and the involved frequencies.
Due to its highly relative permeability, steel is more efficient than aluminium and copper at
low frequencies (less than 100 KHz).
In higher frequencies, though, aluminium and copper can be used. The loss of absorption
with the use of copper and steel for two different thicknesses is shown on the next figure.

Loss of Absorption with use of Copper and Steel

The magnetic shielding of these metals is inefficient in low frequencies.
Protection using metal ducts:
We will see next the use of metal ducts in the minimization of Foucault currents.
The space between ducts facilitates the disturbance generated by the magnetic field.
Moreover, this discontinuity may favor the difference of potential between each duct segment and if
a current surge is generated, for example, by a lightning strike or a short circuit, the lack of
continuity will not allow the current to flow through the aluminium duct and therefore will not
protect the Profibus cable.
The ideal is to attach each segment to the largest possible contact area to provide more
protection against electromagnetic induction and to have a conductor between each duct segment,
with the shortest possible length, to ensure an alternate path to the currents in case of an increased
resistance in the gaskets between segments.
With properly assembled aluminium ducts, when the field penetrates in the duct aluminium
plate produces a magnetic flux that varies in function of the time [f = a.sen(w.t)] and produces an
induced electromotive force [ E = - df/dt = a.w.cos(w.t)].
At high frequencies, the EMF induced in the aluminium plate will be stronger, resulting in a
higher magnetic field that almost completely cancels the magnetic field generated by the power
cable. This cancelling effect is smaller in low frequencies. In high frequencies the cancellation is
more efficient.
This is the plate and metal screen effect that counters the incidence of electromagnetic
waves. They generate their own fields that minimize or even nullify the field through them and act
as true shielding against electromagnetic waves. They work as a Faraday cage.
Make sure the plates and coupling rings are made of the same material as the cable
duct/boxes. Protect the connecting points against corrosion after the assembly, for example, with
zinc paint or varnish.
Although the cables are shielded, the shielding against magnetic fields is not as efficient as it
is against electric fields. At low frequencies, the twisted pair absorbs most effects of
electromagnetic interference. On the other hand, at high frequencies these effects are absorbed by
the cable shield. Whenever possible, connect the cable boxes to the equipotential line system.

Surge Protection using Metallic Channels