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Browse All TopicsWhat are AC magnetic fields. Does it have to do with Radio Waves or some kind?
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by: ITSPPosted on 2009-11-04 at 15:43:18ID: 25745413
60 Hz (AC) magnetic fields are naturally emitted by current-carrying electrical conductors and devices. The AC magnetic field strength emitted by electrical circuits is directly proportional to the magnitude of electrical current. However, multiple adjacent conductors, carrying balanced currents have a low net field emission, a consequence of the natural cancellation of magnetic fields created by currents traveling in opposite directions (single phase) or with different phase angles (three-phase). Rigid metallic conduit generally provides good magnetic field reduction, provided that the feed and return currents are equal, in single-phase circuits, and if all of the currents (both feed and return) are present, in three-phase circuits. If electrical current from a circuit returns via an alternate path, then magnetic field levels emitted from such a circuit can increase significantly. This condition usually occurs if neutral circuits are "cross connected" or illicit connections are made between a neutral and ground in a building's electrical distribution system. This is often referred to as "stray", "ground", "zero-sequence", or "net-current" conditions, usually a result of a wiring error.
AC magnetic fields decrease naturally in intensity as function of distance (d) from the source. The rate of decrease however, can vary dramatically depending on the source. For example, magnetic fields from motors, transformers, etc. decrease very quickly (1/d3) while circuits in a typical multi-conductor circuit decay slower (1/d2). Magnetic fields from "stray" current on water pipes, building steel, etc. tend to decay much slower (1/d). Simply increasing the distance from the source(s) of an area with elevated magnetic field strengths can often reduce magnetic fields to an acceptable level.