Interaction Between Power Frequency Electric Fields and RF Survey Meters: Test Protocol and Evaluation of Commercial Meters

A radio-frequency (RF) survey meter is often used to evaluate the safety of human exposure to RF electromagnetic fields. However, erroneous meter indications occur when the meters are used in strong, 50/60 Hertz, super low frequency (SLF) electric fields near electric power facilities. Previously, coupling between an SLF electromagnetic field and a simple RF survey meter has been studied. It was shown that SLF coupling can be large enough for typical electric field values found near power facilities to result in significantly erroneous readings. In this paper, a protocol for testing commercial meters is developed. Tests using this protocol indicate significant potential for erroneous readings near electric power facilities. Methods to mitigate this problem are discussed.