How to Use an EMF Detector

With the popularity of TV shows such as "Ghost Hunter," amateur investigation into supposed paranormal or supernatural activity is also popular. Paranormal investigators use a device known as an EMF detector, or an electromagnetic field detector, to study supposedly haunted sites. They believe that low-intensity, moving electromagnetic fields indicate the presence of ghosts. If you want to take up ghost hunting as a hobby, you may be interested in learning to use an EMF detector. Even if not, an EMF detector can be useful if you're wearing a pacemaker or similar electronic device and don't want to risk disruption. EMF detectors are also useful for picking up on wireless devices being used.

Instructions

1. Press the "On" button of the EMF detector and point it straight in front of you. Turn the frequency dial to 60 hertz, and set the measurement setting to mG, or milligauss. Keep one eye on the display, but keep one eye on where you're walking.

2. Turn the detector around slowly on all three axes of rotation. Most of the cheap EMF detectors available are single-axis, meaning they can only scan along one dimension at a time.

3. Note any sudden spikes or dips in the electromagnetic field. Most of the time, you'll probably get readings between 0.1 and 10 mG as a background EMF. Extremely high levels indicate a normal source of electromagnetism, such as an electric circuit.

4. Consult the user manual that came with your EMF detector. It should provide you with a reference for common household appliances and their associated field strengths.

5. Set the EMF detector to a higher frequency to detect higher energy levels. If you're attempting to sniff out wireless Internet signals, for instance, you want the EMF detector tuned to pick up 2.4 GHz.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a preliminary sweep of the area with your meter to get an idea of the electromagnetic fields. This way, you have something to use as baseline comparison for your later ghost hunting.

• Avoid sudden movements with the meter; they will disrupt the reading. If you drop or jostle it, you could be in for costly repairs or replacement.