How to Read a EMF Meter

Sample EMF meter with a crystal display and a dial on the front where you can accept ranges

An EMF meter measures the flux density of an EMF radiation field. The EMF radiation field will be either Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC). The measurement appears in units called milligauss. Please note that these directions are for a tri-axis meter. If you are using a single axis meter, look through these steps, then apply the additional information listed under Tips for best success.

Things You'll Need

• Single axis EMF meter or a tri-axis EMF meter
• Electromagnetic field

Instructions

Getting Started

1. Press the On/Off switch or button to turn the EMF meter on.

2. Set the sensitivity to the most sensitive setting.

3. Hold the EMF meter vertically upwards in your hand, ensuring that your hand does not block the top third of the meter, and then move the meter into the area where you expect to find an electromagnetic field. The sensor is in the top-front of the meter.
   The EMF meter measures the vertical electrical field component of the RF wave and converts that number to a power density on the display. If your hand is in the way, you will receive reduced readings. This is most common when you are working with the higher frequencies. When you place the EMF meter in an electromagnetic field, the meter deflects proportionately.

Reading the Results

1. Write down the reading that you see on the dial or needle.

2. Move the meter 1 inch further away from your body and write down the new reading that you see on the dial or needle. Your body and other objects reflect radio waves, so as you vary the distance of the EMF meter from yourself and from other objects, you will see slightly different readings.

3. Continue moving the meter 1 inch to the left, right and further away from your body.

4. If you see that the readings vary from higher to lower to higher every inch or so, determine the average of the readings and use that as your final result.

Tips & Warnings

• Single axis meters are more affordable than tri-axis meters, but the trade off is that single axis meters take longer to use. A single axis meter measures just one dimension of the field, so you have to tilt it and turn it on all three axes to see the complete measurement. For example, If you use a single axis meter, to get a true measurement, hold the meter vertically and read that number. Then turn the meter 90 degrees left or right and add that number to the number you found for the vertical reading. The sum of the vertical and horizontal power density equals the actual EMF meter reading. A tri-axis meter measures all of the three axes at once. You'll need to decide which is right for your time and your pocket book. An EMF meter will read 0 milligauss if there is no magnetic field. Generally, the RF waves have most of their power in the vertical electrical field, but some is power in the horizontal electrical field as well.