Since 1982

Typical Magnetic Field Strength of Household Appliances
at Various Distances
Many people are surprised when they become aware of the variety of Magnetic Field levels found near various appliances. The field strength does not depend on how large, complex, powerful or noisy the device is. Furthermore, even between similar devices, the strength of the Magnetic Field may vary a lot. For example, while a very strong field may surround some hair dryers, others hardly produce any magnetic field at all. These differences in magnetic field strength are related to product design. The following table shows typical values for a number of electrical devices commonly found in homes and workplaces. It should be noted that the actual exposure levels vary considerably depending on the model of appliance and distance from it.

This table illustrates two main points: First, the Magnetic Field Strength around all appliances rapidly decreases the further you get away from them. Secondly, most household appliances are not operated very close to the body. At a distance of 12” the magnetic fields surrounding most household appliances are more than 100 times lower than the given guideline limit of 100 µT at 50 Hz (83 µT at 60 Hz) for the general public.
 

Electric appliance

1” distance (µT)

12” distance (µT)

40” distance (µT)

Hair dryer

6 – 2000

0.01 – 7

0.01 – 0.03

Electric shaver

15 – 1500

0.08 – 9

0.01 – 0.03

Vacuum cleaner

200 – 800

2 – 20

0.13 – 2

Fluorescent light

40 – 400

0.5 – 2

0.02 – 0.25

Microwave oven

73 – 200

4 – 8

0.25 – 0.6

Portable radio

16 – 56

1

< 0.01

Electric oven

1 – 50

0.15 – 0.5

0.01 – 0.04

Washing machine

0.8 – 50

0.15 – 3

0.01 – 0.15

Iron

8 – 30

0.12 – 0.3

0.01 – 0.03

Dishwasher

3.5 – 20

0.6 – 3

0.07 – 0.3

Computer

0.5 – 30

< 0.01

  

Refrigerator

0.5 – 1.7

0.01 – 0.25

<0.01

Color TV

2.5 - 50

0.04 – 2

0.01 – 0.15

With most household appliances the magnetic field strength at a distance of 12” is well below the guideline limit for the general public of 100 µT.


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