Smogtec esi 24, User Manual, Page: 3 / 7

Proffsmagasinet
ELECTRIC FIELDS (Low frequency) (continued)
Measure the electric field in all three axes in the room (x, y and z axes). The magnetoresitive sensor for
measuring electric fields is mounted transversely at the front of the unit. The maximum reading is therefore always
obtained along the longitudinal axis of the unit.
WARNING
– avoid the following typical errors:
Even when devices are connected to an intermediate socket with a
switch, this is no guarantee that extension cables, socket strips and devices connected to it are not live. If, for
example, the switch controls the neutral line and not the live phase, the cable/device remains live. In this situation the
device is effectively switched off, but the cables continue to generate electric fields. The safest option is to unplug
devices or use a
double-pole isolator switch to isolate them. Also easily overlooked are bedside lamps, which also
generate significant electric fields even when switched off.
MAGNETIC FIELDS (Low frequency)
Sources of magnetic fields are, on the one hand, currents flowing in power lines/cables (the higher the current/power
consumption, the stronger the magnetic field produced), and on the other most office electronics, electronic
entertainment systems and charger units have a transformer that converts 230-volt alternating current to a direct
current typically somewhere in the range of 1.5 to 12 volts. Often these transformers are sources of powerful
magnetic fields and they are often positioned close to beds. For example, a mains-powered clock radio is often a
source of strong magnetic and electric fields, and its position so close to the head of a sleeping person compounds
the problem. Here again,
field strength increases with increasing proximity to the source.
The esi 24 features three coils for magnetic field measurement, and the unit provides three-axis measurement of
magnetic fields.
WARNING
– avoid the following typical errors:
Magnetic fields occur only when the consuming devices are
switched on, the devices concerned are operating, or at least in standby mode, and the transformer is producing
magnetic fields. An example of sources that are easily neglected are electric night storage heaters, which are
switched off in the daytime and do not then produce any fields, but at night, i.e. the idle/regeneration phase, they
draw heavy currents and accordingly produce very strong magnetic fields. If there are households in your building
that use night storage heaters, you should take the appropriate measurements during the night heating period as well
as during the day.
HIGH FREQUENCY (Radio waves and microwaves)
HF sources that the esi 24 can detect: Wireless telephones, WLAN, Wi-Fi, mobile radio transmitters, high-voltage
lines, electrical installations, baby monitors, microwave ovens, mobile telephones, etc.
Take care to measure in every direction in the room. It is also important that you turn about the axis of your own body
to avoid the shadows it creates. The human body is an absorber of microwaves and therefore creates a radio shadow
in which considerably lower levels of radiation are detected. Take measurements at various points in the room, as
high-frequency radiation can be distributed very irregularly within a given space. It is not uncommon to find local
variations of a factor of between 1 and 10 at points just 50 cm apart. As a precaution, take measurements at several
different times of day.
The
HF measuring antenna is quasi-isotropic and thus produces an almost triaxial reading of high-frequency
radiation.
The values shown in the table are peak values. The values displayed by the unit are peak values, or more
precisely, average values obtained from the measured peak values. This is the reason for the slight delay in the
updating of the display - the unit performs the embedded algorithm and creates average values for all fields by a two-
stage process.
Remember:
To ensure best operation of the esi 24 Indicator, hold the unit by the bottom end with your arm stretched
away from your body.
Otherwise, you may block some of the sensors and thus cause an incorrect reading.
Hold the unit as still as possible during measurements, as the esi 24 requires a little time to capture new readings for
each field type and to calculate the correct LED activations.
• High-resolution HF mode (with increased sensitivity)