How Can Building an AC Electromagnet Affect Nearby Electrical Devices?

[Buzzlightyear]

Hi - I'm looking to build my own AC electromagnet for some personal science fun, however what I want to know is, at what point am I going to start interfering with the elctrical equipment in my house through the electric or magnetic (?) fields or worse start to affect my neighbours electrical applicances?? Many thanks
Mark

 

[berkeman]

For 50/60Hz magnetic fields, mostly you have to worry about messing up your TV screen and computer monitors, and messing up magnetic stripes on your credit cards.

If you are going to work with frequencies in the 100kHz+ type range, then you might start to interfere with AM radio reception.

 

[ravenprp]

Electromagnetic interference, or EMI, is a common concern when working with AC electromagnets. EMI refers to the disturbance of electrical signals or equipment caused by electromagnetic fields. In your case, the AC electromagnet you are building will generate an electromagnetic field that could potentially interfere with other electrical devices in your home or your neighbor's home.

The level of interference will depend on the strength of your electromagnet and the sensitivity of the nearby devices. Generally, the closer a device is to the electromagnet, the more likely it is to experience interference. Additionally, devices that are more sensitive to electromagnetic fields, such as medical equipment or communication devices, may be more susceptible to interference.

To minimize the risk of interference, it is important to properly design and construct your electromagnet. This includes using appropriate shielding materials, ensuring proper grounding, and avoiding placing sensitive devices too close to the electromagnet. It may also be helpful to test your electromagnet in a controlled environment before using it near other electrical equipment.

Overall, with proper precautions and consideration, you can safely build and use an AC electromagnet for your personal science experiments without causing significant interference to your own or your neighbor's electrical devices. However, it is always best to be mindful and considerate of potential impacts on others when working with electromagnetic fields.