Equations to Simulate Electromagnetic Field Readings

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around simulating electromagnetic field readings from various appliances and energy sources. Participants explore the equations and principles involved in measuring electromagnetic fields, particularly in relation to the Inverse Square Law and the characteristics of different appliances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the equations needed for simulating electromagnetic field readings, recalling the Inverse Square Law but finding conflicting information online.
  • Another participant suggests that the Inverse Square Law may be relevant for calculating electric potentials.
  • A participant outlines a potential approach using the equation for the electric field around a point charge, questioning how to adapt it for practical appliance readings and the effect of appliances being on or off.
  • There is a discussion about whether the simulation should focus on the measurement of the electromagnetic field or the field itself, highlighting the need for amplitude, direction, and frequency for accurate measurements.
  • Participants note that EMF meters display readings in mG or T, which the original poster aims to replicate in their program, but the accuracy of such readings is questioned.
  • One participant mentions the limitations of using everyday objects for reliable measurements of alternating electromagnetic fields, emphasizing the variability in emission profiles of appliances with identical specifications.
  • The original poster clarifies their goal of simulating a single-axis EMF meter using data from appliance labels, seeking to calculate estimated EMF readings based on that data.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of accurately simulating electromagnetic field readings based on appliance specifications. Some participants question the reliability of using label data, while others highlight the complexity of measuring electromagnetic fields accurately.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the dependence on specific measurement devices and the variability in emission profiles of appliances, which complicates the simulation process. There is also an acknowledgment of the need for additional parameters beyond just amplitude for accurate field representation.

Gibdo
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
I'm trying to program an application to simulate various readings of electromagnetic fields from any type of appliance or energy source. This part of physics was always my weakest. I don't remember any equations to use to get this data. The only thing I can remember is that it is related to the Inverse Square Law of some sorts. I've did many searches online, but I've seen so many different equations used, and I've tested several of them with inconclusive results. I don't know which to go by.

(I've seen some posts on here too, but I can't make sense of them. Not sure if those particular equations were what I needed)

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Your question is so vague that I don't think it is possible to give a useful answer.
The inverse square law can be interesting if you want to calculate electric potentials.
 
To be honest, I'm not sure how to be less vague. Essentially you have electromagnetic field readers that will pick up strengths of electromagnetic fields from microwaves, clock radios, power lines, etc The output is displayed in mG or T. I just want to know the how they work, so I too can simulate that on a computer program. So if I were to read in amps and/or volts I would get a specific reading at x distance.

The field around a point charge for example, I'm assuming is E = kQ/r^{2}? k being the constant 9x10^{9}
If I = Q/t, then it would be E = k(It)/r^{2}? E would be N/C or V/m. But I'd need to convert to G or T after that.

Am I following this correctly? And how does this compare for appliances that are on vs off? Shouldn't we get higher readings from things that are actively running?
 
Last edited:
Do you want to simulate the measurement of such a probe, or the electromagnetic field in some volume?

All those sources you mentioned are sources of alternating magnetic fields. To fully measure the field in one point, it is not sufficient to know the amplitude (mG or T). You also need the direction of electric and magnetic fields and the frequency (spectrum).

Sensors for (electro)magnetic fields
 
mfb said:
it is not sufficient to know the amplitude (mG or T)
EMF meters display an output in mG/T though, which is what I'm wanting to mimic in my computer program. I was trying study the mathematical computations those meters do to understand them better.
 
Last edited:
EMF meters displaye an output in mG/T?
Depends on the measurement device.

I'm wanting to mimic that in my computer program.
And what data do you have available? If you have the electromagnetic fields, just take their amplitude. Note that some devices can be sensitive to the direction of the fields, so you can get a lower measurement if you measure the "wrong" direction.

I was trying study the mathematical computations those meters do to understand better.
That depends on the type of measurement device you have.
 
I don't physically own a device or have one that I'm using. But considering, we could use everyday objects, I'd have access to whatever information is printed on their labels (Amps, Volts, Frequency (Hz), and Watts)
 
Last edited:
Everyday objects won't give you a reliable measurement of alternating electromagnetic fields.

Which labels? Do you mean the data about the power supply they need?
 
Most appliances usually have a sticker on the inside or the side of them that lists data about the amount of Amps, Volts, or Watts that the appliance uses. I apologize, this is not my field of expertise.
 
  • #10
Perhaps it could be easier for us to understand what you want if you gave us a complete use case of your application.
 
  • #11
Its a single axis emf meter. I want simulate this device. I have to make a program that I put in data that I can get off these labels on appliances, and get a rough estimated emf reading from said appliance. So if this A/C in the window has a sticker on it has various info, like 115 volts, 4.8 amps, 525 watt input... I could enter this data in a field, and calculate a reasonably correctly emf reading from that appliance. I really can't be any more descriptive. I'm not trying to be confusing, but I honestly don't know what else is requested here.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
I am afraid your objective is not achievable. Any two appliances with identical AC input requirements may have very different emission profiles.
 
  • #13
Well then, that's discouraging news to hear. Oh well, I appreciate the help none the less.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K