Investigation of human exposure to magnetic fields from electrical powertrains: measured exposure levels and simulated impact on human body

Magnetic field exposure levels measured adjacent to the motor power cable entries of a 70 kW electrical powertrain reached 170 times the magnetic field reference levels recommended by ICNIRP in 1998, although the exposure levels fall to 100% within a distance of 20 cm. More relaxed magnetic field reference levels were proposed by ICNIRP in 2010, but numerical simulations of the internal electric fields and current densities induced in a seated human model suggest that the ICNIRP 2010 reference levels may provide a less reliable basis for assessing in-vehicle magnetic field exposure threats than the ICNIRP 1998 values. Nonetheless, it is considered that the avoidance of unacceptably high magnetic field exposures should not present an insurmountable difficulty provided that these issues are given due consideration in the design and integration of highvoltage electrical architectures for hybrid and electric vehicles.