What is EMF?: Electric Fields, Magnetic Fields, and RF waves.
What is EMF? EMF (electromagnetic fields) describe how charged particles (such as electrons) affect each other from a distance. EMF is present in 100% of electronic or electrical devices.
EMF (electromagnetic fields) can best be thought of as three things: low frequency electric fields, low frequency magnetic fields, and higher frequency electromagnetic radiation or “radio frequency” (RF) waves. Any product with the goal of being low EMF must address each of these 3 things.
The frequency of these fields and waves is an important distinction. If a field is not changing with time, it is said to be “static”, or have zero frequency. Fields or waves that change with time have a frequency that is described by the number of cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
Electric and magnetic fields below approximately 100 kHz (100,000 Hz) exist independently of each other. Sometimes the acronym ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) is used to talk about electric fields and magnetic fields that exist independently of each other. Above approximately 100 kHz, electric and magnetic fields couple together and behave like a single thing. Engineers call those RF waves, or electromagnetic waves, but they are more easily understood as “light”.
While EMF “radiates” out from its source (such as light coming out of a flashlight), it is NOT the same thing as “radiation”. Radiation is how we describe the decay of radioactive materials, such as those used in nuclear power. Radiation has nothing to do with this discussion of EMF.
Electric Fields
Electric voltage (measured in volts: V) produces electric fields (measured in volts per meter: V/m). A typical electrical power outlet in Europe operates at between 220-240 V with a frequency of 50 Hz. Whether you are using your power outlet or not, electric fields will radiate from the presence of voltage. Electric fields related to this voltage will mostly be at 50 Hz, but also at several multiples of this value up to approximately 300 Hz (this is due to non-linear mathematics, which I will not discuss here).
Example: Air does not conduct electricity. BUT, if an electric field is large enough (very large), then the insulating properties of air breakdown and it conducts electricity. This is what is happening when we see lightning.
Magnetic Fields
Electric current (measured in amperes: A) produces magnetic fields (measured in gauss: G, or in tesla: T). 1 milligauss (0.001 G) equals 0.1 microtesla (0.0000001 T). I will be using milligauss (mG) for future discussion. Most things we will be interested in will measure between 0 and a few hundred mG. Any time electricity is flowing, that electric current produces magnetic fields.
Example: Magnets with the same polarity repel each other and opposite magnetic fields attract each other. A refrigerator magnet has a static magnetic field (a magnetic field with no frequency). The earth itself has a static magnetic field, and that is what moves the needle of a compass.
RF (“Radio Frequency”) Waves
RF or radio frequency, is the generic term engineers use to refer to the coupled magnetic and electric fields that are EMF above roughly 100kHz. These are more easily understood as “light”. We give different names to different ranges of frequencies. Visible light is simply RF in a particular range. As you can guess from the phrase “radio frequencies”, it covers the range of frequencies that are used for radio and communications equipment. Examples in order of increasing frequency (decreasing wavelength):
- Radiowaves
- The frequencies used in cell phone communications
- The frequencies used in Wifi and Bluetooth electronics
- Microwaves
- Infrared light (from far infrared, to mid infrared, to near infrared)
- Visible light (all the colors from red to violet)
- Ultraviolet light
- X-rays
- Gamma rays
When electric current (such as inside electronic devices) is oscillating at radio frequencies, it can radiate off its wires into space as RF electromagnetic waves.
Most infrared sauna companies do not really understand what EMF is. They use incorrect terminology, and most disregard the electric fields completely, as these are much more difficult to mitigate. If you ask any other company the question "what is emf?" or "why do you not mention your electric field measurements?"
The difference between them and Prasanna Sauna is apparent and you can watch this video of our CEO Gabriel explaining the difference in portuguese with English subtitles.
Our Sauna is made out of specific features such as shielding for Electric Fields & specific Carbon Heated Infrared Heating Cable that eliminate Magnetic Fields. With this we achieved total 0 Body Voltage when you are inside the Sauna Blanket.
For more info on our Zero-EMF Infrared Sauna Blanket click here.