Graphical presentation of 50/60 Hz magnetic field contours as an engineering tool for minimizing ELF fields

Since IARC classified ELF magnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans, the fear of 50/60 Hz magnetic field exposure has increased. Subsequently, environmental protection organizations increased their pressure on governments to reduce the allowable ELF magnetic field exposure to much lower values than are recommended by ICNIRP-1998. As an example, the present Environmental Ministry in Israel recommendation is to lower the ELF Field exposure to 10 mG averaged over 24 h. As a result, electrical engineers who are involved in the deployment and installation of large and medium electrical utilities are much more aware of the need to employ special measures and methods to reduce the magnetic fields that might be emitted from such utilities. There are few computer codes that are capable of analyzing with great accuracy magnetic and electric fields surrounding single phase and three phase electrical utilities in a 3D system. The best presentations of analysis results are by equi-value contours depicting electric and magnetic fields. This graphical presentation is a powerful design tool that enables better deployment and installation design aimed at reducing magnetic field emissions from high-power electrical utilities. The paper describes various types of graphical presentations available for ELF field contours, the dependent and independent variables and parameters, magnetic field animation for optimization of power line installation and routing, and finally an example that demonstrates the usefulness of the graphical presentation tools.