EMF concerns

[smnewport]

Hello all. Newbie here. Stumbled upon this forum as I was searching for an answer and thought I should probe your brains cells to get some facts straight.

I have a system that was completed in Nov, 2010. It has 2 sets of panels(24 total), one on the back side of the roof and the other on the side(hip roof with 4 sides). Enphase microinverters were used by my installer. He indicated that microinverters are better at optimizing output, which is all fine with me. The system has been producing quite nicely, especially now that spring is coming around.

Here is my question:
The cables from the two sets of panels run through the roof into the attic and then down the side of the house by my bedroom. My bed is just 3 feet away from the two cables that are on the outside. As the inverters are microinverters installed with each panel, the generated electricity leaving the panels should all be in AC.

AC, at least in those high power electrical cables, (and correct me if I'm wrong), are supposed to generate EMF. High levels EMF are supposed to be bad for the body. Am I basically getting fried when I'm laying in the bed in the mornings once the sun has risen, and even more on weekends when I sleep in late?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Sunking]

You are worrying about nothing.It is no worse than any other standard AC circuit in every home.

Assuming the circuits are installed per code, there is little to no EMF. When you run AC circuit with the supply conductors closely coupled together together, the EMF field is canceled out by the opposing conductor ran with it. This is why the National Electrical Code requires all circuit conductors to be ran together.

Now if you want to worry about frying your brain, just use your cell phone. You are basically holding a miniature microwave oven next to your brain. Fry away.

[Mike90250]

Ditto to what Sunking said

[smnewport]

You are worrying about nothing.It is no worse than any other standard AC circuit in every home.

Assuming the circuits are installed per code, there is little to no EMF. When you run AC circuit with the supply conductors closely coupled together together, the EMF field is canceled out by the opposing conductor ran with it. This is why the National Electrical Code requires all circuit conductors to be ran together.

Now if you want to worry about something frying your brain, just use your cell phone.

Thanks for the response.

Now the 2 thick cables from each set are encased in plastic sheath so I cannot tell if each plastic sheath contains individual wires from each panel all the way down to the basement's main circuit breaker, or if they are all joined together somehow up in the attic into just 2 wires/cables. How would I know which of these two set ups the system is built(other than asking the electrician who did the install)? If it is just two large gauge wires, is that enough to cancel out each other's EMF, or is it better having multiple adjacent wires to get a more thorough cancellation?

And finally, in terms of wires with the current flow running in the same direction, do the EMF cancel out or actually become additive? Even if they do cancel out, won't the outermost/peripheral wires still emit undisrupted EMF?

[Sunking]

Now the 2 thick cables from each set are encased in plastic sheath so I cannot tell if each plastic sheath contains individual wires from each panel all the way down to the basement's main circuit breaker

Trust me they do, it has to be to work.

[Sunking]

And finally, in terms of wires with the current flow running in the same direction, do the EMF cancel out or actually become additive? Even if they do cancel out, won't the outermost/peripheral wires still emit undisrupted EMF?

Find something else real to worry about so you can be happy.

In any electrical circuit AC or DC, it takes two conductors (Supply and Return) to make a complete circuit. With respect to AC circuits the two current carrying conductor, the current and voltage are 180 degrees out of phase. When the two are coupled together close like the Romex you described, the magnetic field is cancelled out. Just like magnets when you align the two opposite poles together the magnets attract and stick to each other. Align the same polarity, and the magnets will oppose each other and push away. Opposites attract.

[Naptown]

Stay very far away high tension transmission lines. In fact if you are driving down the road and you see them crossing over the road stop and turn around. If they are parallel with the road find an alternate route. This goes for just the regular telephone poles you see in towns and neighborhoods too! The really dangerous ones are the underground utility lines. Just hiding out of sight spewing electrons on the unsuspecting. Do you by any chance use an electric blanket?

[russ]

Cell phone, computer or any of hundreds of different everyday items.

An excerpt from the LA Times (an old article) the entire article can be found with the link.

By Chris Woolston
February 15, 2010
http://www.latimes.com/features/heal...0,801515.story

Many researchers have looked for a connection between EMFs and EMF sensitivity syndrome, but so far they've mostly come up empty. In one recent example, an English study of 48 self-described "electrosensitive" people and 132 "non-sensitive" people published online in January in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that all of the subjects had pretty much the same reaction to microwave radiation, which is to say no obvious reaction at all. The researchersspeculated that a fear of EMFs -- and not any physical issues -- might be the root cause of electrosensitivity.

[Naptown]

The only evidence I have heard is that pigs kept in pens under high tension transmission lines won't breed. So I guess as long as you aren't a breeding pig things should be OK.
I have also heard that there is a possible link between low frequency such as AC circuits electromagnetic radiation and possible health concerns however only with very high voltages.

[smnewport]

No. I do not use electric blankets for the same reason. And the last time I used a hair dryer was years ago.

Thanks for all the helpful responses. Do any of you recommend the Tri Field meter I've heard about? I was thinking about getting it just to get some measurements around the house and car(Prius). Someone had said, however, that these meters are usually of absolutely no use and may even give erroneous readings unless I use the professional grade meters which costs thousands of dollars.

[russ]

I expect any old meter will do. Even a thermometer or pressure gauge - as you have no interest in science or medicine.

Sorry about that but it is correct.

Russ

[smnewport]

I expect any old meter will do. Even a thermometer or pressure gauge - as you have no interest in science or medicine.

Sorry about that but it is correct.

Russ

So what exactly are these meters detecting? They're obviously picking up something as the needle moves differently as it's placed in certain areas.

[Sunking]

So what exactly are these meters detecting
?

Gause per square meter. For protection construct a hat made from aluminum foil shaped like a Pirates hat you have seen in movies and wear it at all times even while in bed for maximum protection. Don't forget the third leg Captain, it needs covered too.

[smnewport]

Since I have you guys on the line, I have another pressing question

T Mobile is planning to put up a monopole cell phone tower 300 feet away from my house. Should I be concerned about this? I did a little web search and did find some studies linking cell phone tower RF emission to cancer. It doesn't help that the FCC actually Passed a law stating that the construction of these monopoles cannot be prohibited based on health issues.

Thanks again in advance.

[Mike90250]

Since I have you guys on the line, I have another pressing question

T Mobile is planning to put up a monopole cell phone tower 300 feet away from my house. Should I be concerned about this? I did a little web search and did find some studies linking cell phone tower RF emission to cancer. It doesn't help that the FCC actually Passed a law stating that the construction of these monopoles cannot be prohibited based on health issues.

Thanks again in advance.

Lead lined shorts ! At least the antennas will be above the ground, so you get 350' distance.