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Post Time: 13/07/2007 15:17:08 |
fire4498
Total Forum Posts: 4 |
I am in the process of buying a new house. The house in question is around 60 meters from a substation that sites just off the main road.
The house itself benifits from a reasonabley sized froint garden. I will later this week take readings, however just to try to reasure myself any advise or info anyone can provide into this scenario would be gratefully recieved. Main point being do you think this house woul dbe safe to bring my young family up in.
Many thanks
Paul |
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Post Time: 16/07/2007 10:29:36 |
Jean Philips
Total Forum Posts: 22 |
60 meters is far enough from a substation that the EMFs from the equipment within the housing will not be a problem.
There are always cables that go into and away from the substation, supplying the power. These cables may be seen overhead, or they may have been buried underground. These cables will always give quite high electric and magnetic field readings close to.
Electric fields are stopped by most buiding materials (glass being the main exception). Magnetic fields travel through anything. The only thing that reduces magnetic fields is distance from the source.
A reasonable sized front garden will put distance between any cables under the pavement (where underground cable usually run) and the property. As long as there is no cable running down the side of the property (such as down a public pathway) you should be clear of direct magnetic fields.
Sometimes, substations are interconnected in such a way as to ensure continuity of supply, but faults may devlop resulting in an unbalanced or net current that can affect all the houses between the two substations in question, giving them higher than usual magnetic fields. The supply is unaffected, and the fault may stay undetected for a long time. Electricity companies don't see the need to correct the fault, if it does not cause them hassle.
Measuring the fields will enable you to detect whether this is a problem for the house you are considering buying. The meter will give guideline electric and magnetic field levels which have been assocaited with the ill-health problems you are concerned about, so that you will be able to make an informed decision about the EMF 'safety' of the house.
Best wishes
Jean Philips
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Post Time: 16/07/2007 10:48:46 |
fire4498
Total Forum Posts: 4 |
Many thanks for this Jean, food for thought there.
I will let you know my findings.
Paul |
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Post Time: 17/07/2007 21:24:48 |
fire4498
Total Forum Posts: 4 |
I have today taken readings and have found that there is nothing above 0.05 MT's (is that how you write it?).
The reading at the footpath was 0.6 MT's and rapidly dropped off to 0.08 @ 1.5 meters and at the front door 0.04 MT's. The house was much the same.
Readings were taken this evening at 18:00 hrs.
Would you say I am safe to go ahead with purchase? I also consider that readings may be a little elivated due to very old electrical cicuits witin the house. We will have a rewire prior to occupation.
Any thoughts very much appreciated.
Paul |
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Post Time: 18/07/2007 13:55:17 |
Jean Philips
Total Forum Posts: 22 |
The readings look fine. The average field levels in the UK in a house are 0.04 - 0.05 microtesla (µT). As you can see the reading is much higher at the footpath and dropped to background level by the time you got to the front door.
18:00 hours is a good time to take readings, as it is one of the peak weekday times. It will possible go up in cold wintry weather, but not enough to be concerning.
Old wiring can give rise to elevated electric field levels. It may be worth looking at the article on house wiring before you go ahead. You may want to choose a different way of wiring to the old standard way
Sounds good - I hope the move goes well
All the best
Jean |
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Post Time: 18/07/2007 14:38:56 |
fire4498
Total Forum Posts: 4 |
many thanks for your advice Jean.
Very useful forum.
Looking into EMF's caused by substations has certainly opened my eyes to a number of other issues such as WiFi and Mobile phone use, for which I have been a heavy user of both.
I am now looking into ways I and the rest of my company can reduce or remove the hazards.
Once again many thanks.
Paul |
