Discussion about voltage transients and harmonic overwaves (aka "dirty electricity"). How 'smart grids" and "smart meters" could be made more healthier and sustainable. What 'Power Factor Correction' really means. Based on my research paper and presentation at The 4th International HYVITE Symposium on Wellbeing Technology, 9th June 2010 in Tampere, Finland.

1. Voltage Transients and Health Mikko Ahonen PhD, Researcher University of Tampere, Finland

4. From sine wave to transients - definitions

5. 50 Hz sine wave & magnetic field Generally, electricity in its purest form does not seem to cause health problems (Mandeville et al ., 1997 & McCann et al ., 1993) Only magnetic fields starting from 0.3 uT (mikroTesla) have been linked to childhood leukemia ( Greenland et al. 2000; Ahlbom et al. , 2000) . BUT results are inconclusive.

10. From a review article – Voltage transients: “ Environmental exposure to High-Frequency Voltage Transients is an interesting EMF exposure metric, which might explain the spurious results from epidemiological studies using 'standard' ELF and RF exposure metrics . However, at present, methodological problems in published studies prohibit the valid assessment of its biological activity.” Source: De Vocht (2010)

11. What causes voltage transients?

13. Laptops – occasionally extremely high voltage transients Typical frequency values for highest micro surges caused by laptops: D laptop computer = 25 kHz D tower computer = 16.6 kHz A computers = 12.5 kHz Reason for high transient reading? Poor quality switching power supplies Source: D. Stetzer

14. Low-frequency transient electric and magnetic fields coupling to child body / in the frequency range from 50 Hz up to 100 kHz - Ozen (2008) “ The results show that the transient electric and magnetic fields would induce higher current density in the child body than power frequency fields with similar field strength”. 118004 -times higher!

15. Which frequency ranges match with highest amplitude of electrical fields? Source: Lundmark et al. 2005 A related finding, shown on the video . Demonstrated with a frequency generator.

16. Which devices cause the biggest amplitude changes? Source: Lundmark et al. 2005 See also: Oliveira et al. (2006) (VDU = Video Display Unit, HF-fitting=fluorescent tubes equipped with high-frequency electronic ballasts)

17. There are differences in lamps and light bulbs Source: Havas (2008) Accurate measurements of compact fluorescent lights: Maes (2009) Video 2 Video 1

20. How to measure transients? (2/2) + Oscilloscope or Spectrum analyser Adapter for Harmonic Analysers / Auskoppeladapter For measurement of conducted electromagnetic interference in the frequency range from 10kHz to 30MHz based on CISPR 16 for measurements in accordance to EN 55011…22 Output: L / PE / N

21. Transients in red – Minimal Measured with a Fluke Scopemeter

22. Transients in red - Increased Measured with a Fluke Scopemeter

24. Regularly clusters where low level magnetic field or power density readings can not explain the whole “picture” - examples http:// www.news.com.au/national/another-abc-staffer-has-breast-cancer/story-e6frfkvr-1225833135423 Please, note: Other environmental factors like heavy chemical exposure should be understood. http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/health/Cancer-Cluster-at-UCSD-Building.html http://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/resources/public-health/lit-building/ ELF-EMF may act at the cellular level to enhance breast cancer proliferation by blocking melatonin’s natural oncostatic action in MCF-7 cells ( Liburdy , 1993 ; Luben et al. , 1996; Morris et al. , 1998; Blackman et al. , 2001 ; Ishido et al. , 2001 , Girgert et al ., 2010 ) . Is low level magnetic field value here more important than transient intensity? Lots of discussion about melatonin and electro-magnetic fields:

26. About mechanisms of effect

29. About mechanisms: Gap junctions = protein bridges between cells  Transients may interfere gap opening Gap junction opening is regulated by calcium ions and pH , Alberts et al. (1994). (Experiments in Canada: pH-levels acid when high transients, alcaline when minimal transients ). Gap junction flow is significantly altered as a function of 50 Hz magnetic field strength, Li et al . (1999) .

32. About mechanism: There is much we don’t know, no single mechanism is fully established!

33. Impact on wellbeing technology and its development

34. Mobile phone components – producing transients continuosly in stand-by mode Question: How risky is it to keep to a mobile phone attached to the body continuously? Is it really a personal health monitoring device?

36. What happens when RF-frequencies are “run” in a powerline that is originally optimised for 50 Hz sine wave? The gain of the powerline as a radiator increases rapidly with frequency ( Hare, 2003 ).  Powerline starts to act as an antenna and extends wider. The gain of the powerline as a radiator increases rapidly with frequency ( Hare, 2003 ).  Powerline starts to act as an antenna and extends wider.