Electro Magnetic Fields

What is EMF?

EMF; Stands for Electro-Magnetic Field.

Electric fields are created by differences in voltage: the higher the voltage, the stronger will be the resulting field. Magnetic fields are created when electric current flows: the greater the current, the stronger the magnetic field will be. An electric field will exist even when there is no current flowing. If current does flow, the strength of the magnetic field will vary with power consumption but the electric field strength will be constant. (www.who.int)

Like electric fields, magnetic fields are strongest close to their origin and rapidly decrease the further they are away from the source. Magnetic fields are not blocked by common materials such as the walls of buildings. Even the earth itself produces EMF, from the electric currents flowing deep within the earth's core mainly in the form of static fields, similar to the fields generated by DC electricity. Electromagnetic fields (radiation) are present everywhere in our environment but are invisible to the eye, they have been around since time began and light is its most familiar form.

Electric fields can be produced by air turbulence and other atmospheric activity.

Electromagnetic fields will occur any time electricity passes through a wire or an appliance that is operating and will weaken with distance from the source. Electromagnetic fields are measured in units called mill Gauss. A high mill Gauss reading indicates a strong electromagnetic field. Electromagnetic fields of all frequencies represent one of the most common and fastest growing environmental influences, about which anxiety and speculation are spreading. All populations are now exposed to EMF, and the levels will continue to increase as technology advances.

Anyone who has become interested in paranormal research has quite possibly heard of EMF meters. An EMF meter is simply a piece of equipment that helps the investigator rule out possible causes for the EMF readings but obviously cannot prove that a ghost is present. It can only measure the electromagnetic field readings that we cannot see and can then help us to rule out the possible causes.

So why do we use these meters?

As previously stated, electromagnetic fields are everywhere throughout our environment and most homes/buildings will have a basic reading of around .5 – 2 mill gauss. As an investigator you will be looking for the unusual EMF readings and recording any readings that fluctuate or ‘move’. If there is a fluctuation found in readings the first thing you have to ascertain, has the background/environment changed in any way from the first reading? For example, someone may have switched an appliance or light on or off; if the building investigated is in close proximity to another it may be picking up readings from there, particularly if the building is adjoined to the one being investigated and is occupied. If a higher or unusual reading is recorded and you have looked at every possibility and it cannot be explained away by normal electrical sources, then quite possibly you may have come across something interesting.

There are many factors to be considered both inside and out of locations, for example over head power lines, buried power lines and even ground that is rich in iron is said to increase EMF levels, although it is claimed when power lines are buried in the ground, the electric fields at the surface are hardly detectable.

EMF readings that fluctuate, when the background has remained constant and all other possible causes have been eliminated may signify activity. EMF readings that seem to ‘move’ (obviously rule out the obvious like electrical wiring!, N.B active wiring will only register if you are within a few inches of the source.) can be another significant indicator of activity.

Another factor for consideration;

Michael Persinger PhD, has studied the link between magnetic fields and paranormal experiences for the last 15 years. He claims; "Individuals prone to paranormal experiences are sensitive to weak electromagnetic fields and to man-made electrical fields, which are becoming more prominent in the communication age," Initial experiments done by Persinger exposed the right hemisphere of subjects' brains to magnetic fields, prompting subjects to ‘imagine’ a presence interacting with their thoughts and moving in space as they focused on it. So according to Persingers theories, paranormal experiences during or just following stimulation of the right hemisphere of the brain by EMF, may be no more than the right half of the brain becoming more aware of the left. A sobering thought for any investigator of the paranormal!