Electromagnetic field meters, or "EMF" meters or readers, are useful in many roles. They are commonly used for routine diagnosis of electrical systems, and also, famously, as tools for detecting paranormal activity. Though these kinds of uses are radically different, the main function of the electromagnetic field meter is the same: to find a "level" of electromagnetic intensity for any given location.

Businesses who want to get EMF reading into their set of skills and services can look to the Internet for a variety of training options for learning to use these interesting and useful tools for measuring electromagnetic fields. Web users can find the following:

1. Program offers from schools and colleges, where using electromagnetic field meters is part of a greater education on the nature of electromagnetic fields.

2. Electromagnetic field testers information from how-to, tutorial or guide pages available for free on the net.

3. More from public web forums on the uses of EMF readers "in the field."

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find scholastic training for electromagnetic field testers

Trades schools, colleges, or independent learning centers can offer opportunities for learning about how to use EMF readers and other tools. This can be an efficient solution for a business that needs to really know what's behind the use of a reader or meter to measure this kind of energy-related manifestation.

I recommend: VitaTech Engineering provides an electromagnetic field tester program including theory on the electromagnetic spectrum, training for tools like industrial electromagnetic field testers and much more. Get more training on EMF readers and tools from state schools like Boise State -- look for the "electromagnetic tools" aspects listed in course offerings online.

Locate more on electromagnetic field testers from handy info pages

Other sites offer practical guides on using EMF readers, including selecting your tools based on the aspects you will be studying, and more on what EMF readers actually do.

I recommend: Find a detailed guide to using an electromagnetic field tester or Gauss reader to measure electromagnetic emissions from various common objects in the home at Natural News. Readers can use the tips for selecting electromagnetic field testers at The EMF Safety Superstore to help with finding the right industrial electromagnetic field tester for the job.

Get more info on electromagnetic field testers from public web forums

For learning more about these handy tools, there are a variety of web forums where users post on using EMF readers and more. Some are posting and blogging about EMF reading for 'general electronics,' but others are holding forth on the ghost-hunting uses of this item -- the electromagnetic field meter is a hot commodity in the world of phantom pursuits and lots of online posters want you to know about it! If this is the kind of business you want to be in, pay attention.

I recommend: Check out posts on EMF readers as ghost hunting tools at Paranormal Soup. Find details on the workings of the EMF reader for testing magnetic fields as well as user posts at Slippery Brick.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Let your electromagnetic field meters education and training go beyond just how to use the tool, into a study of EMF reading in today's high-tech world. The issue of growing EMF proliferation is going to be a big issue in coming years; these training opportunities can help a business be in the vanguard of educating the public.

Electromagnetic field meters provide a means for detecting electromagnetic radiation. This energy contains both electric and magnetic fields while transferring energy from one location to another. Energy moves through a wire and external to the wire. Common media include power lines, electrical wiring, cables, cell phones, appliances and free travel from an antenna. Some sources, such as radio stations and garage door openers, produce waves intentionally, while others, such as computer systems and medical equipment, give off unintentional or undesirable waves as a byproduct of other activity.

The prices for electromagnetic field meters cover a wide range. Each model contains specific calibration parameters and features. Hand held meters remain popular choices with digital LCD screens. When buying an electromagnetic field meter consider the following:

1. Buy a low priced EMF (electromagnetic field) meter for personal, office or home use.

2. Consider the needed measurement applications before purchasing an industrial EMF tester.

3. Purchase a single or triple axis meter based on your allocated budget.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find low priced electromagnetic field meters for average use

These selections don't have all the bells and whistles but provide readings for many electrical devices and appliances. They provide an entry point for personal, office and home use.

I recommend: Get a CellSensor EMF detection meter, single-axis gauss, for detecting electromagnetic fields from power lines, computers, appliances and wiring at HealthGoods, LLC. Select the model of choice from several low priced magnetic field meters that include a general purpose EMF detector, an analog meter with audible tone or a meter with fast response rate at Pro-Measure, a division of DAS Distribution, Inc.

Locate industrial electromagnetic field testers for big jobs

These electrical magnetic field meters provide the measurement specifications needed in industrial and commercial settings.

I recommend: Check out the Extech triple-axis electromagnetic field tester for measuring EMF around appliances, power lines and industrial devices with large LCD display at Fotronic Corporation’s Test Equipment Depot. Contact Hotek Technologies, Inc. after selecting the right model from the list for an electromagnetic field monitor with tripod mounting and suitable for many sources including industrial, scientific and medical equipment. Scroll down the page at Less EMF, Inc. to “Commercial Grade AC Magnetic Field Meter” with models calibrated to check 50Hz, 60 Hz or 180 Hz, ideal for measuring transmission lines and electrical devices.

Find single-axis electromagnetic field meters with good specs

A single-axis electromagnetic fields meter costs less that the triple axis model because they take longer to process the electrical field. To obtain X, Y and Z-axis the meter needs manual directional turning to correlate and provide the readings of the axis.

I recommend: Go to Professional Equipment, a division of Lab Safety Supply, Inc., for a selection of nicely priced single-axis low frequency meters for testing terminals, fans, faulty wiring, power lines, appliances and other devices. Measuring electromagnetic fields is easy with the 3.5-inch LCD readout that uses one 9V alkaline battery in the REED EMF field tester at Efston Science, Inc.

Buy tri-axis electromagnetic field testers to save time

Triple axis eliminates calculating X, Y and Z-axis or turning the meter for a proper reading. These models range higher in price over the single-axis ones.

I recommend: Select from the two triple-axis meters, TM-192 to review up to 500 screen readings or TM-192D that records 9999 readings downloadable to your computer via USB port, with tripods and nice specs at Technika, a Sper Scientific, LTD Company. See the triple-axis field meter with remote sensor probe and 3-foot cable at National Safety Products, Inc. Quantity discounts are available.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most electromagnetic field meters measure 50-60Hz, common to electrical currents needed for appliances and other home, office and industrial settings. Some of the models listed provide wider ranges of measurements used for multiple applications. Look for models specific to your business field.

Electromagnetic field meters, or EMF meters, are scientific instruments that measure electromagnetic radiation. Some scientists and field workers also refer to them as electromagnetic radiation meters.

EMF meters are available in single-axis or tri-axis types. These meters can detect magnetic field emissions from computers and electrical appliances. People using pacemakers and welders also find EMF meters crucial in their applications. An EMF meter is also an important tool for paranormal research activity.

This guide aims at familiarizing you with electromagnetic field meters-related terminology, such as magnetic flux, geomagnetism and trifield meter.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

TriField meters

A TriField or tri-axis meter allows you to measure the electromagnetic field in three dimensions. Due to this feature, you do not need to angle the device in a particular direction to measure the electromagnetism. These devices are more expensive than single-axis electromagnetic meters.

I recommend: You can get further information on trifield meters at Tools For Wellness, a website by Tools for Exploration.

Single axis meters

Unlike the tri-axis meter, a single-axis meter measures only one dimension of the field. Thus, this meter needs to be tilted in all three directions to measure the complete electromagnetic field.

I recommend: UniMAP Library Digital Repository (PDF) provides detailed information about EMF meters, including single-axis meters.

Magnetic flux

Magnetic flux refers to the quantity of magnetic field passing through an area. Magnetic flux density tells you the amount of magnetic field per unit area of a section.

I recommend: At Newton BBS, an information resource, you can learn more about magnetic flux and magnetic density.

Geomagnetism

Geomagnetism refers to the earth's magnetic field. It changes from place to place and from time to time. The magnetic field of the earth can influence human activity and the natural world in innumerable ways. EMF meters can measure geomagnetism.

I recommend: Get more information on geomagnetism at the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), a useful website on earth sciences and natural resources.

Electromagnetic radiation

Electromagnetic radiation takes form in the shape of waves that are a result of the motion of electric charges. These waves constitute radiation because they radiate from the electrically charged particles. Electromagnetic radiation can travel through a vacuum and does not require a medium. To measure this radiation, an EMF meter needs to be used.

I recommend: Find out more about electromagnetic radiation at Chemistry Hypermedia Project (CHP).

Magnetometers

A gauss meter or magnetometer measures the strength or direction of the magnetic field. It is a type of EMF meter and is very useful in geological studies.

I recommend: To learn more about magnetometers, read through information at wiseGEEK.

If your business uses electromagnetic field meters for measuring electromagnetic fields, then you probably always have your eye out for low-priced electromagnetic field meters and information about electromagnetic field meters. Before you can set a realistic budget for industrial electromagnetic field testers, make sure you understand what's included with the various electromagnetic field meters pricing and costs.

Different types of businesses will find they need different types of electromagnetic field testing equipment. Before your business can accurately gauge electromagnetic field meters pricing and costs, you should consider your specific business needs. After that you can start to factor in pricing and create a budget. To start your budget process for magnetic field meters, consider the three questions below. Once you answer those questions you can start setting a realistic budget for electromagnetic field testers.

1. Can our business get low-priced electromagnetic field meters for use around the office?

2. Do we need industrial electromagnetic field testers for larger contracts?

3. What is the price difference between a single-axis electromagnetic field meter and a triple-axis electromagnetic field meter?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get pricing for a consumer-grade electromagnetic field tester

If you want an electromagnetic field tester for use around the office (instead of for use on a job involving testing for electromagnetic fields), then you'll want to look into consumer-grade electromagnetic field meters rather than industrial electromagnetic field testers. Consumer grade electronic field meters can cost as little at $20 or as much as several hundred dollars. These electromagnetic field testers don't have as many features as the industrial electromagnetic field testers but they should meet your needs.

I recommend: DAS Distribution and Less EMF both sell consumer-grade meters used for testing for electromagnetic fields.

Find price ranges for industrial electromagnetic field testers for larger contracts

A consumer-grade magnetic field meter will only do so much. If your business has larger contracts that involve testing electromagnetic fields, then you'll need to budget for industrial electromagnetic field testers. These testers provide more specific measurements and offer more features than consumer-grade magnetic field meters.

I recommend: Industrial electromagnetic field meters start at around $150 from companies like AlphaLab. Magnetic Sciences rents and sells industrial electromagnetic field meters. Rentals start at $40 while your business can pay between $200 and $1,400 for an industrial electromagnetic field meter.

Compare prices between single and triple-axis electromagnetic field testers

Single-axis electromagnetic field meters and triple-axis electromagnetic field meters differ in price and features. Single-axis electromagnetic field meters cost less but take longer when measuring electromagnetic fields. It pays to research the features of each before making a decision, but price will factor into your decision as well. Investigate the price ranges of both types of electromagnetic field meters.

I recommend: Professional Equipment sells single-axis electromagnetic field meters starting at just more than $100. Value Testers sells triple-axis electromagnetic field meters for roughly $300 and up.