Measurement of the extremely low frequency magnetic field in the laptop neighborhood

Abstract

The paper considers the level of the extremely low frequency magnetic fi eld produced by the portable computers. Accordingly, the magnetic fi eld characterized with the low frequencies up to 300 Hz has been measured. The experiment consists of testing 10 different portable computers in normal operating condition and under heavy load. The measurement of the magnetic fi eld is performed in the laptop neighborhood. The measured data are presented and discussed. They are compared with the magnetic fi eld safe limit values suggested by MPR II, TCO, ICNIRP, the SMEMSP (Serbian Ministry of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning), and those given in the literature. It is shown that some of the portable computers radiate a very strong magnetic fi eld. Hence, they should be used with caution.