Magnetic feilds from appliances, are they harmfull?

[woodman]

I figured with all the brain power on this site, someone would ring in on this subject. I have been able to find little that is concrete on this by searching the web breifly. Being somewhat lazy, I figured I'd just ask here and find some type of consensus or perhaps just start an arguement.

Here's the deal: My bedroom shares a wall with the kitchen and the only place we can put the bed is against the wall where the fridge is directly on the other side. I hear the fridge run off and on through the night and if that isn't bad enough, what about the magnetic feild from the motor? I moved the fridge tonight but my wife is unhappy about it. There really is only one ideal spot and that is where it has been for the last 5 years since I remodeled.

I read a lot of stuff about power lines and transformers and even the new electric meters so naturally I am suspicious. Can anyone chime in on this?

[palani]

Magnetic fields are generally pretty limited. The reason is the reluctance of air or vacuum is so high there is low flux flow even several inches away from the source of the mmf (magneto motive force). Flux is pretty well restricted to the magnetic path designed for the flux to flow in.

You will have a 60 hz magnetic field in addition to an electrical field around wires (transmission lines). The electric field is proportional to the voltage. The magnetic field is proportional to the current. Around 160kv power lines the electric field is fairly strong. The magnetic field will not extend very far away from the conductors.

The same is true for house wiring. Both an E field and a H field exist. The E field in a 120vac circuit is fairly small. The H field will be stronger around a 30 amp circuit carrying full load than around a wire carrying a 2 amp load.

[Serpo]

EMF yes they are harmful too your health read earthing book.....http://www.groundology.com/au/earthing-book



Its best to have as less EMFs affecting you when you sleep .

[Dogman]

The fields you are talking about are very small, and can not travel very far and as stated 60 hz. Not much to worry about, the sheet metal of the fridge will help shield any stray electrical/magnetic fields.

If you are worryed about it just drop a small sheet metal plate between the fridge and you, most fridges are open on the bottom back and that area is where the motors/pump are. Just do not block the air flow to the coils on the back.

[ImaCannin]

We have a small fridge that comes on in the middle of the night. It is so loud that it wakes us up.
Before bed, we unplug it and plug it back in in the AM. We got a little timer for it too, just have not set it up yet.