Assessing electromagnetic fields in buildings with internal electromagnetic equipment and developing of solutions promoting reducing workers' and inhabitants' exposure

Project manager: Krzysztof Gryz Ph.D. (Eng.)

Contractor: Jolanta Karpowicz Ph.D. (Eng.)

Project summary:

During the task, an inventory was taken of sources of electromagnetic fields in building with internal electric power engineering equipment. Their technical parameters that influence the levels of the electromagnetic fields that they produce were characterized. It was shown that electric power supply systems are the most significant sources of an elevated electromagnetic field in buildings. The analysis of the significance of electromagnetic fields that was conducted showed that the assessment of hazards related to electromagnetic fields in spaces located in the vicinity of electromagnetic equipment installed in multilevel buildings in which people work or live should be especially concerned with the magnetic component. Field studies of the magnetic field done in the electric power supply rooms and in rooms adjacent to them as well as in the vicinity of one- and three-phase internal installations, main low-voltage distribution substations and cubicles in buildings, including spot measurements of actual value of magnetic flux density and registrations that lasted many hours. For selected exposure scenarios numeric simulations were conducted of the distribution of the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of low-voltage cables that connect the transformer with the low-voltage substation to obtain more systematic data on the distribution of the magnetic field in the vicinity of electric power engineering devices, considering factors affecting its level. Guidelines and recommendations were developed on methods of organization and technical reduction of electromagnetic hazards to which workers and inhabitants are exposed in buildings with different kinds of electric power engineering equipment.

Unit: Department of Bioelectromagmetism

Duration: 01.01.2008 – 30.12.2010