Magnetic fields in industry: arc furnace

Interest in magnetic fields of electric power systems in a working environment have increased during the past few years. Reasons for this are public concern about the possible health risks that the fields may cause and disturbances in appliances caused by the magnetic fields. New guidelines being prepared, e.g., ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) guidelines, have also increased magnetic field studies. Magnetic fields from electric power systems have been studied at the Tampere University of Technology for many years. The studies have concentrated mainly on transmission and distribution systems. Both measurements and calculation have been used. The aim of this study is to investigate the magnetic field of the arc furnace with measurements, as well as with analytical and FEM calculations, and to model the shielding effect of the furnace wall