EHE07 2nd International Conference on Electromagnetic Fields, Health and Environment

Wroclaw, Poland, September 10-12, 2007

Protection Against Electromagnetic Field and Radiation at Low Frequency 50Hz

Robert Bukowicki, Agustin Sanchez
Fast Group Sp. z o.o. al. 3 Maja, 00-391 Warszawa, Poland, robert.bukowicki@fast-group.com.pl AST S.L C/ Albert Einstein, 43 E-08940 Cornell de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain, agustin.sanchez@ast-global.com Abstract natural electromagnetic field coming from the Earth or from phenomena taking place in the earth's atmosphere (atmospheric discharge) and fields coming from outer space (solar or cosmic radiation) are present in the environment from the dawn of time. They are on the relatively low level and don't influence human health. The new factor occurring in the natural environment is electromagnetic field coming from the sources, which are created by people (microwave ovens, cellular networks, power cables, radio/TV transmitter). There is no need to convince anyone that electromagnetic waves coming from the artificial transmitter are harmful to human being and different type of devices. Harmfulness of electromagnetic waves depends on their frequency, intensity or dose. In association with AST, market leader in the shielding technology, we propose the shielding systems, which allow protecting you and your device in according with the worlds norm and directives.

1. Introduction
Many people ask why we should shield against electromagnetic fields. As early as the antiquity the influence of the natural environment and electromagnetic field on the human being was studied. There is no need to convince anyone that electromagnetic waves coming from the manmade transmitters are pernicious for human body and also for the properly working of a lot of different types of devices. Nowadays on the basis of the observations, research and medical knowledge, we learned that the symptoms of the EMF influence on the human being are following: - sleeping disorders, - headaches, - changing of blood pressure, - eyesight deterioration, - morphology changes, - concentration difficulties. We also know that EMF effects can be divided into thermal and non-thermal ones. The thermal effects cause an increase of the cell temperature. Significant increase in the cell temperature causes irreparable damage due to protein coagulation. The most vulnerable cells because of the thermal effects are those with poor bloods circulation like lens, gall bladder, testicles and some parts of the alimentary canal. Experiments carried out on animals proved that the increase in temperature leads to the cell destruction and eventually causes death. Thermal effects are easy to detect. Much more controversies and problems concern non-thermal effects which have hardly ever been taken into account. Carried out worldwide studies affirm that electromagnetic field at 50Hz might have influence on the illness risk of occurrence, like cancers. Electromagnetic field generated by high power cables and bus-bars affect also on the electronic equipment. In the RE Insurance data, 15% of electronic equipments failures (such as servers, electro-medical, PLCs malfunction) or communications networks underperformance are reported to be caused by EMF. The requirement for electric energy raises, the unit power of device boosts, telecommunication networks denser wrap our surroundings around, etc. All of that renders that the intensity of electromagnetic field and dose rise, negatively affects the natural environment. Not surprisingly that the safety norms for people and devices are being constantly exacerbated. The professional and effective security before electromagnetic radiation is necessary. In our presentation we show the system of three-ply shield to protect human health in working place as well as to protect the devices before electromagnetic radiation at frequency above 1 Hz. This shielding technology is the result of wide experience and over 500 successful installations which proved our know-how to standardize highperformance EMF shielding products. Our products ensure accomplishment of compulsory EMF limits standards and provide security and safety of any equipment or people.

2. Origin of EMF and Sources

In the range of low frequency (0Hz 100 Hz) the main sources of EMF are: - transformers - low voltage cabinets - low voltage lines (including bus-bar and subway cables) - high voltage lines (aerial, underground) - railway lines, subway lines - UPS - Other: lighting, engines, electrical heaters

Fig.1 Origin of EMF

3. Shielding Technology
AST shielding solution consists of a cost-effective hybrid shielding technology that by combination of highpermeability and high conductivity materials produce a double effect of EMF absorption minimizing the residual magnetic field by an eddy current effect that pushes back the residual field back-in. A smart design, which overlaps all cables tray segments, minimizes any EMF leakage.

Fig. 2 Hybrid Technology

4. Practical applications
AST offers three solutions for the most common problems produced by Radiated Electro-Magnetic Fields (EMF): CABLE TRAYS BACKPLANES TRANSFORMER CAGES

Fig 3 ASTs solutions There are many applications in which we can use our solution: Hospitals: Protection of sensible equipment (Resonance Magnetic Room (MRI), X-Ray Room ...) and people. Offices and Residential Buildings: electronic equipment (computers, servers) and people protection (E.g. electrical switchboards aside ). Factories: offices near production lines, machines (e.g. electric welding), transformers, etc. Data Centers / Back-up Rooms: Extremely often located close to electrical switchboard or Transformer room Telecom rooms / Network centers: Located nearby an electrical switchboard or Transformer room. Semiconductor Fabs: Protection of electron-microscope rooms, e-beam writers, assembly and test areas, etc. Airports: communication rooms, racks rooms, etc. Pharmaceutical and Bio-tech Labs: Very often located close to electrical switchboard or Transformer room

Hospital
Transformers placed very close to Chromatography room. Problem: Chromatography equipment providing wrong results. Solution: Partial Shielding of the Transformer Room. Result: Magnetic Field levels inside the Chromatography room were lowered down to 3,75 Teslas. before PRODUCT USED: SmartShieldTM TRANSFORMER CAGE

after

Research center
Power Cables close to clean room in Research Center Factory. Problem: Power Cables alter the accuracy of Electronic Microscope. Solution: Installation of cable trays to lower the levels. Result: Magnetic Field levels inside the Clean room were lowered down to 0,03 Teslas. PRODUCT USED: SmartShieldTM CABLE TRAYS before

after

Office
Transformer room and power busbar placed just below office area were people work. Problem: Office unused due to excessive levels of Magnetic Field for workers and problems with the computers. Solution: Installation of Backplanes to reduce the Magnetic Field to safe levels. Result: Magnetic Field levels in the office, down to 1 Teslas.

before after

PRODUCT USED: SmartShieldTM BACKPLANES

School
Transformer Room placed just below Music Room, in which children learn playing instruments. Problem: Not safe levels of Magnetic Field for the children. Solution: Installation of Backplanes to lower the levels down to safe levels. Result: Magnetic Field levels in the music room, down to 1 Teslas. before PRODUCT USED: SmartShield
TM

BACKPLANES after

5. Conclusion
We have tried to draw your attention to the fact that there seems to be a product present on the market, which could be advantageous for us in securing devices as well as in human health related issues against electromagnetic field at low frequency 50Hz. This product, made in Span by AST Company, complies with the standards and normative documents like IEC/EN 61000-4-8 and recommendations of NCRP. We would also kindly like to draw your attention to the fact that solution chances are not as simple as you could imagine. In order to decrease the harmful implications of electromagnetic field, there should be carried through adequate measurements. I would also like to stress that the engineering practice of both AST and Fast Group's engineering experience is crucial in this case.