Constant EMF reading = faulty wiring?

Hi again,

I am posting another question separately for the sake of clarity -
hope that's OK.

I got a trifield meter to check out the house and I was surprised to
see that there is a 'hot spot' at the couch where we watch TV. It is
highest at the floor, where it reaches 3 milligauss when the TV and
lights are on (one and a half milligauss on the couch). There is a
constant reading of 1 milligauss at the floor when all lights and
appliances are switched off.

My husband says there is an electrical box under the floor there
(great). There is also a plug in the wall which has a constant
reading of 2 milligauss (with nothing plugged into it). I also get a
high electrical reading of 100 volts/meter about a foot away from a
dimmer switch near the couch (when it is on). I don't get any
significant electrical readings near any other dimmer switches.

Does this sound like some faulty wiring? Could it be harmful to be
sitting in a field of 2-3 milligauss for long periods of time?
It is feeling increasingly uncomfortable to me but I don't know what
to do about it except not watch TV (we don't have much room to
manoeuver the furniture).

Thanks again for any pearls of wisdom you may have.

Aline

Dump the dimmer switch. They're noisy as hell.
 
If your uncomfortable, stay away from the tv before you become
even more sensitive.

It's not uncommon to have a few miligauss in certain areas. I
wouldn't sit there. My apartment had an ambient field of 0.6 -
1.5 mg. Now I'm sick, and the prospects are not good.

Eli

> Dump the dimmer switch. They're noisy as hell.

Yes, try lower wattage bulbs instead. Also, use
incandescent lights instead of compact florescents, as
they appear to be much more tolerable.

I use the full-spectrum incandescent, but I don't
think that makes any difference from an ES standpoint.

Marc

I recommend that you contact Charles Keen
[hidden email]
an electrical specialist in Florida and talk with him. I recommend
talking to him with your skeptical partner on the other phone. Charles
is very quiet and extremely pensive and accurate. He doesn't ever
exaggerate and is a very rational person.
He knows about all about wiring problems, sensitivities (thanks to me)
and much more.
Make sure you have your meters ready before the call so you can tell
him what is going on. You can also book a personal appearance for only
$350.
Andrew


On Dec 18, 2006, at 7:41 PM, Aline wrote:

Hi Eli, thanks for your replies.

Just to clarify: the couch is not near the TV and the readings go to
zero as I move closer to the TV (until I get right up close, of
course). So the problem is evidently with the electrical wiring under
the floor which emits a higher field when the TV (and lights) are on.

> Dump the dimmer switch. They're noisy as hell.
> If your uncomfortable, stay away from the tv before you become
> even more sensitive.
> It's not uncommon to have a few miligauss in certain areas. I
> wouldn't sit there. My apartment had an ambient field of 0.6 -
> 1.5 mg. Now I'm sick, and the prospects are not good.

I want to find out if this is normal or if it is due to faulty wiring
(in which case something could be done about it). Same for the nearby
plug which has a constant reading of 2 milligauss (with nothing
plugged into it) and this high electrical reading of 100 volts/meter
nearby. Maybe I need to ask an electrician about this (??).

> It sounds like your becoming sensitized to the EMFs emitted by
> the computer. Welcome to the club of people who are sensitive
> to computers, yet the fields are negligible where you sit. The
> power may decrease by the square of the distance, yet the fields
> do go to infinity. Watch out! Once your sensitized it's very, very
> difficult to get better. If it hurts, lay off.

I've always been sensitive - get very drained using a computer etc. I
am becoming more sensitive through sheer bombardment in this new
home, however. We used to live in a house with much bigger rooms and
higher ceilings so everything was further away. We used to be on the
ground floor too which I think makes a difference, and in the
countryside (now we are in a town).

That is interesting to know that fields extend infinitely. The energy
in our living room feels so dense I can hardly stand it. There are 9
speakers near the TV, 5 of which are very large (the biggest one has
readings of over 100 gauss at the back). Only 3 of them are being
used but it feels to me like they are filling up the whole room with
a force field. I'm hoping to persuade him to move them (but first on
the list is persuading him to raise the ceiling fans, which feel to
me like they are conducting this energy).

It's difficult when the person you a sharing a home with does not
really want to believe what you are experiencing. This is why I need
some rational explanations re what is going on.

If it was just me I would simply trust what I am feeling and take
steps to improve things through trial and error.

One thing in my favor: we build houses so will have some control over
what happens in the next house we live in - much easier than
retrofitting I would think. Trying to get educated now.

Aloha,
Aline

I am sure he thinks you're weak and making this up.
Get a professional involved so it is not you vs. him and his fear based
reaction.
Andrew
On Dec 18, 2006, at 8:31 PM, Aline wrote:

> It's difficult when the person you a sharing a home with does not
> really want to believe what you are experiencing. This is why I need
> some rational explanations re what is going on.

Hi,

Aline wrote:
> course). So the problem is evidently with the electrical box under
> the floor which emits a higher field when the TV (and lights) are on.
>
>
Unshielded AC wiring and electrical junctions are locations of annoying
electric fields.

When measuring _magnetic_ fields around wiring, it is the current or
amount of Amps flowing through the wiring.
So mg readings can go down to background levels, when appliances are off.

But unless the mains are turned off, the electric fields are still there.
Measure them best with body voltage.

The only way to co-exist with AC power is 1. metal conduit for shielding
(only in public buildings, or do-it-yourself houses) and 2. Keep away
from the wiring.

>> Dump the dimmer switch. They're noisy as hell.
>>

Agreed. It is best to replace them with a simple light switch, and
manage lighting levels with different bulbs.
The noise made by dimmer switches can be easily measured with a
battery-operated AM radio. Tune around 700 and move the radio around the
room, then next to the switch.
The same noise can also be measured with the Graham-Stetzer meter
<http://lessemf.com/suppress.html>.

> home, however. We used to live in a house with much bigger rooms and
> higher ceilings so everything was further away. We used to be on the
> ground floor too which I think makes a difference, and in the
> countryside (now we are in a town).
>

If you are no longer on the ground floor, you must now worry about the
rooms below you. For example, if the room below has fluorescent
lighting, then you may be Walking on the Transformer Ballast. And that
is definitely high emf exposure.


> It's difficult when the person you a sharing a home with does not
> really want to believe what you are experiencing. This is why I need
> some rational explanations re what is going on.
>
>

If you can "see" the fields with a meter, then they are more believable.

The tri-field meter averages the 3 axis, so gives lower readings than
are relevant for sensitive people.
Get a less expensive 1-axis gauss meter. Then by aiming it, you can see
the direction of the fields, and eventually the spiral patterns of
magnetic fields (like distribution lines from the power company)

Also, by using a simple multimeter, showing body voltage is an excellent
way for Anyone to see the effect the wiring has on You, and Him.

Neither gauss meter or electric field meter are appropriate to measuring
computers, wifi, cellphones, and tv electronics.
Those are the signals were spoken of as infinite, although actually on a
log-rhythmic curve.
Only solutions for these emissions, are shielding and distance. Miles of
distance in some cases.

Happy hunting (for source of fields) or to say, good luck,
Stewart

> I want to find out if this is normal or if it is due to faulty wiring
> (in which case something could be done about it). Same for the nearby
> plug which has a constant reading of 2 milligauss (with nothing
> plugged into it) and this high electrical reading of 100 volts/meter
> nearby. Maybe I need to ask an electrician about this (??).

This sounds like "normal" wiring to me. The readings on my power
outlets will go up if there are other items using power on that
same circuit in the room (or elsewhere). 2 milligauss doesn't
sound "bad" to me (and if I'm wrong, someone please correct me!)

Also, you can get an outlet tester for a few dollars which will
tell you if your outlets are wired correctly. I bought mine
online at lessemf.com, but I think you may be able to find them
in hardware stores. When I moved into a new house this year,
I found several outlets that were mis-wired, and had them
corrected before we moved in.

Marc

Marc Martin wrote:
> This sounds like "normal" wiring to me. The readings on my power
> outlets will go up if there are other items using power on that
> same circuit in the room (or elsewhere).

True, the current will flow the length of the wire to get to the
appliance that is on.

> 2 milligauss doesn't
> sound "bad" to me (and if I'm wrong, someone please correct me!)
>
But, I beg to differ here. 2mG should only be near a motor or fan or
etc. From the wire itself, it should be of concern only within ONE
foot. (1 ft.)

Are there distribution power lines nearby?

I remember one Bionare air filter that had a measurable field extending
to a radius of 12 ft.
and on the opposite end of the scale, a Lee Flour Mill that has a radius
of only 6 inches.

An example of good engineering.

Stewart

> I remember one Bionare air filter that had a measurable field extending
> to a radius of 12 ft.

Yikes! In the years preceding my getting ES, I had 3 Bionaire
air filters in the house, running 24 hours/day! Although when
my ES was the most severe, I don't recall them causing me any
trouble...

Marc

Hi Stewart & Marc,

To clarify: quite a large area of floor (where wiring presumably goes
from the wall near the couch in the direction of the
kitchen) has a constant reading of up to 3 milligauss.

An electrical reading of 110 volts is present about a foot away from
a dimmer switch on the wall near the couch (when it is switched on).
There are no such readings near any other dimmer switches (Yes, I
know - "Dump the dimmer switch".....I'm working on it!)

There is a reading of up to 3 milligauss at a socket on the same wall
(with nothing plugged into it). No readings at any other socket
anywhere at the house.

Seems to me that something is not right. We are sitting in this 3
milligauss field for long periods of time (actually I am becoming so
uncomfortable there that I am starting to avoid watching TV).

Just tested some other areas of floor and found that there are
constant readings of 4-8 milligauss under the dining
room table (which is 10 foot away from the kitchen). Can this really
be normal?

Any other thoughts?

Thanks again for your input and Merry Christmas!

Aline

--- In [hidden email], "S. Andreason" <sandreas41@...> wrote:

Marc Martin wrote:

"This sounds like "normal" wiring to me. The readings on my power
outlets will go up if there are other items using power on that
same circuit in the room (or elsewhere)."

True, the current will flow the length of the wire to get to the
appliance that is on.

2 milligauss doesn't sound "bad" to me (and if I'm wrong, someone
please correct me!)

But, I beg to differ here. 2mG should only be near a motor or fan or
etc. From the wire itself, it should be of concern only within ONE
foot. (1 ft.)

Are there distribution power lines nearby?

I remember one Bionare air filter that had a measurable field
extending to a radius of 12 ft. and on the opposite end of the scale,
a Lee Flour Mill that has a radius of only 6 inches.

An example of good engineering.

Stewart

Electric Ovens can produce 150 mG up close. As far as the wiring, you
will get readings up close to boxes and wires. The most important thing
to me is NOT have any readings were you sleep, eat or sit for most of
the day.
If you have a house that has a baseline 2-3 mG throughout the house, I
recommend moving out or redoing the wiring with an expert. Double check
that you are not near outside powerlines that are casting a magnetic
field blanket through house. That is a definite move situation.
Andrew
On Dec 23, 2006, at 4:22 PM, Aline wrote:

> Just tested some other areas of floor and found that when I switch
> the oven on there is a reading of 4-8 milligauss under the dining
> room table 10 foot away. Can this really be normal?

Hi Aline,


> To clarify: quite a large area of floor (where wiring presumably goes
> from the wall near the couch in the direction of the
> kitchen) has a constant reading of up to 3 milligauss.
>
>

That seems high.


> An electrical reading of 110 volts is present about a foot away from
> a dimmer switch on the wall near the couch (when it is switched on).
>
>

110 Volts, AC? a foot away?? I don't understand what is being measured here.

Body voltage is measured in milliVolts, up to 3V when standing under
distribution lines, or in a building with no shielding.


> There is a reading of up to 3 milligauss at a socket on the same wall
> (with nothing plugged into it). No readings at any other socket
> anywhere at the house.
>
>

Having nothing plugged in there, does not discount that there can be
electricity _Flowing_ past that location.
It would be good to know where else that particular circuit (breaker)
feeds to.


> Seems to me that something is not right. We are sitting in this 3
> milligauss field for long periods of time (actually I am becoming so
> uncomfortable there that I am starting to avoid watching TV).
>

At first glance, 3 milligauss sounds unlikely. Unless your house is
right under major distribution lines, or something unusual is On Very
Close by...
But since it is terribly uncomfortable, I will say something is very
wrong here.

Can you map out where the field is strongest, and weakest? North, East, etc.
Then walk around the house, and expand the search to the neighborhood.
Do you see power lines overhead, (or buried can be worse.)

Write down the readings at various locations as you're walking around.
Is there a pattern?

If it is equally high outside, and there are no obvious power lines
nearby.... Then... would you be willing to share what city/state you are in?

> Just tested some other areas of floor and found that there are
> constant readings of 4-8 milligauss under the dining
> room table (which is 10 foot away from the kitchen). Can this really
> be normal?
>

What is under the floor at the table?

No, I would not consider that normal at all. Possible, yes. but not Normal.

What happens when the Main circuit breaker is turned off?
If it makes a difference, turn the breakers back on, _One_ at a time.
Take notes of which circuits are offending.

It may be necessary to turn everything off (especially at night), except
probably the fridge, and other essential perishable equipment.

> Any other thoughts?
>
> Thanks again for your input and Merry Christmas!
>
>

Glad to help, I'll await more info.

Stewart

Hi Stewart,

Thanks for your thoughts. I have a Trifield meter which has
an "Electric" setting and says "for electric field read the top scale
(multiply by 10 to get volts/meter)". This is the only place in the
house where the scale registers when I move the knob to "Electric". I
really don't understand the significance of this - but it indicates
to me that something unusual is going on. (??)

I don't have a body voltage meter yet so I can't relate to that.

I am in Kihei, Maui and there are no significant readings outside.
The fields are only in these 2 areas (at that's all I've found so
far). The rest of the house has negligible readings (except near
appliances etc, of course).

There are fluorescent lights in the garage underneath. Somebody
mentioned that these can cause a problem, but presumably only when
they are switched on (?) (which is rare).

Why does 3 Milligauss sound unlikely? 4-8 Milligauss must sound even
more unlikely!

Only wiring is under the floor as far as I know (not even sure if
those fluorenscents are directly under this spot but I will figure it
out).

I will also test the breakers in the next few days.

Thanks again.

Aline

In [hidden email], "S. Andreason" <sandreas41@...> wrote:

Hi Aline,
 
> > To clarify: quite a large area of floor (where wiring presumably
> > goes from the wall near the couch in the direction of the
> > kitchen) has a constant reading of up to 3 milligauss.

That seems high.

> > An electrical reading of 110 volts is present about a foot away
from a dimmer switch on the wall near the couch (when it is switched
on).

110 Volts, AC? a foot away?? I don't understand what is being
measured here. Body voltage is measured in milliVolts, up to 3V when
standing under distribution lines, or in a building with no shielding.

> > There is a reading of up to 3 milligauss at a socket on the same
wall(with nothing plugged into it).
> > No readings at any other socket anywhere at the house.

Having nothing plugged in there, does not discount that there can be
electricity _Flowing_ past that location.
It would be good to know where else that particular circuit (breaker)
feeds to.

> > Seems to me that something is not right. We are sitting in this 3
> > milligauss field for long periods of time (actually I am becoming
> > so uncomfortable there that I am starting to avoid watching TV).

At first glance, 3 milligauss sounds unlikely. Unless your house is
right under major distribution lines, or something unusual is On Very
Close by...
But since it is terribly uncomfortable, I will say something is very
wrong here. Can you map out where the field is strongest, and
weakest? North, East, etc.
Then walk around the house, and expand the search to the neighborhood.
Do you see power lines overhead, (or buried can be worse.)

Write down the readings at various locations as you're walking around.
Is there a pattern?

If it is equally high outside, and there are no obvious power lines
nearby.... Then... would you be willing to share what city/state you
are in?

> > Just tested some other areas of floor and found that there are
> > constant readings of 4-8 milligauss under the dining room table
> > (which is 10 foot away from the kitchen). Can this really
> > be normal?

What is under the floor at the table?

No, I would not consider that normal at all. Possible, yes. but not
Normal.

What happens when the Main circuit breaker is turned off?
If it makes a difference, turn the breakers back on, _One_ at a time.
Take notes of which circuits are offending.

It may be necessary to turn everything off (especially at night),
except probably the fridge, and other essential perishable equipment.

> > Any other thoughts?
> > Thanks again for your input and Merry Christmas!

Glad to help, I'll await more info.

Stewart

See if you can find which breakers are to your bedroom. If needed, turn
off the power to your bedroom at night to get all the readings as low
as possible in your bed so your body has a better chance to rejuvenate.
Of course, remove any electrical devices from near the bed, clocks,
lamps, phones, that carry a charge. The springs in your bed will
attract electrical and Radio Frequencies and conduct them into your
body. Springs also, by themselves, because of their circular twist,
will create a field.
Go with a metal-less bed if possible.
by 2 cents,
Andrew
On Dec 26, 2006, at 4:41 AM, Aline wrote:

> I will also test the breakers in the next few days.

Hi Aline,

Aline wrote:
> Hi Stewart,
>
> Thanks for your thoughts. I have a Trifield meter which has
> an "Electric" setting and says "for electric field read the top scale
> (multiply by 10 to get volts/meter)". This is the only place in the
> house where the scale registers when I move the knob to "Electric". I
> really don't understand the significance of this - but it indicates
> to me that something unusual is going on. (??)
>

The trifield meter is not very sensitive. For it to register anything in
"electric" is surely significant.
I'll call that "strong enough for the scientific mind to agree it
*might* be there!". While for us sensitives, is more like a bullhorn.

It is not easy to find a meter more sensitive than we are.

> I don't have a body voltage meter yet so I can't relate to that.
>

Ah, this shouldn't be hard to fix, (multimeters are easy to come by),
and is a way to directly measure the effect the 120V AC has on any of us.

Start with any basic multimeter.
Set it to AC Voltage
Set the range to 2 V or in an extreme environment, 20 V (to keep the
reading within range, or to say, not overload)

It is easier with a banana jack and wall plug, available at lessemf.com,
but I was surprised for the money, there was nothing special about the
hardware sold. But then, I have a technical background, and so can make
my own cords and plugs, and already have some outlet grounds around for
other shielding solutions.

The Common or Negative/Black jack goes to Ground.
The Positive/Red jack goes to your skin. Thumb squeezing when holding
meter is good.

Then walk around, sit down, stand up. See how the voltage changes with
activity, position, and location.
Then hold still so the meter settles, to get a useful number.

Also, to take outdoor measurements, I used a long metal rod, (meat or
compost thermometer), to stick in the ground like a ground rod. Then an
alligator clip from the rod to the black multimeter probe.

I've noticed the resulting voltage is directly related to the distance
to power lines. When I walked into the woods, and reached a distance of
1000 feet, the voltage went to zero.


> I am in Kihei, Maui and there are no significant readings outside.

That is good. Doesn't sound like a problem with location.

> The fields are only in these 2 areas (at that's all I've found so
> far). The rest of the house has negligible readings (except near
> appliances etc, of course).
>
> There are fluorescent lights in the garage underneath. Somebody
> mentioned that these can cause a problem, but presumably only when
> they are switched on (?) (which is rare).
>

AH!
I have a big discovery to share here.

The house we built, I designed the wiring layout to reduce exposure to
living areas. And, all wiring is in metal EMT conduit.
At the time, I did not have a body voltage meter or knowledge of
electric fields, and so left 3 conduits in plastic conduit. 2 of which
went underground, and so did not have much choice. The other, was 1 1/2"
main trunk, and EMT does not come that big easily.

In hind sight, that was a mistake. Those are the areas with elevated
readings.

BUT, when exploring the house this summer, I found elevated readings
from the telephone wiring, and get this: THE METAL RING CHAINS holding
hanging lights. The kind usually placed near a reading chair, and with
3-way switches (3 brightness levels). The chain has the electric cord
threaded through it, back and forth every few rings. The chain is not
grounded or touching anything. BUT IT'S CLOSE PROXIMITY to the
unshielded power cord, caused very radical readings, almost like
amplification and reflections. Unplug the power cord, and measurements
go back to background levels.

Also, the other big discovery, was the rebar in the concrete floor and
foundation. They are not grounded, and were creating a significant
impact before I found a way to ground them.

So, the loops and wiring of a transformer, even off, may be a genuine
suspect.

Also, sometimes the power supply is designed as "always on", and
the light switch is not on the hot side of the circuit.
That might be a valid problem for an electrician to check.
Better yet. disconnect the ballast completely.

> Why does 3 Milligauss sound unlikely? 4-8 Milligauss must sound even
> more unlikely!
>
>

Yes.
Given the distance from the wiring, I said this. I have only seen
readings that high, Very close to motors and transformers.

And given the trifield meter is 3-axis, that is actually an average of
the 3 axis, and so for that number to be high, can only be be strong field.

Is the knob turned to Magnetic _1-100_ or _1-3_range_ ?

You're welcome,
Stewart

Hi Stewart,

That is a lot to think about - thanks.

Just a quick response as I am exhausted and off to the beach!

I realise there is also a garage door opener under the dining table
area and I make sure I read the correct gage (using 0-100 range to
measure these floor readings).

Will let you know what I find out.

Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka,
Aline

--- In [hidden email], "S. Andreason" <sandreas41@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Aline,
>
> Aline wrote:
> > Hi Stewart,
> >
> > Thanks for your thoughts. I have a Trifield meter which has
> > an "Electric" setting and says "for electric field read the top
scale
> > (multiply by 10 to get volts/meter)". This is the only place in
the
> > house where the scale registers when I move the knob
to "Electric". I
> > really don't understand the significance of this - but it
indicates
> > to me that something unusual is going on. (??)
> >  
>
> The trifield meter is not very sensitive. For it to register
anything in
> "electric" is surely significant.
> I'll call that "strong enough for the scientific mind to agree it
> *might* be there!". While for us sensitives, is more like a
bullhorn.
>
> It is not easy to find a meter more sensitive than we are.
>
> > I don't have a body voltage meter yet so I can't relate to that.
> >  
>
> Ah, this shouldn't be hard to fix, (multimeters are easy to come
by),
> and is a way to directly measure the effect the 120V AC has on any
of us.
>
> Start with any basic multimeter.
> Set it to AC Voltage
> Set the range to 2 V or in an extreme environment, 20 V (to keep
the
> reading within range, or to say, not overload)
>
> It is easier with a banana jack and wall plug, available at
lessemf.com,
> but I was surprised for the money, there was nothing special about
the
> hardware sold. But then, I have a technical background, and so can
make
> my own cords and plugs, and already have some outlet grounds around
for
> other shielding solutions.
>
> The Common or Negative/Black jack goes to Ground.
> The Positive/Red jack goes to your skin. Thumb squeezing when
holding
> meter is good.
>
> Then walk around, sit down, stand up. See how the voltage changes
with
> activity, position, and location.
> Then hold still so the meter settles, to get a useful number.
 
>
> Also, to take outdoor measurements, I used a long metal rod, (meat
or
> compost thermometer), to stick in the ground like a ground rod.
Then an
> alligator clip from the rod to the black multimeter probe.
>
> I've noticed the resulting voltage is directly related to the
distance
> to power lines. When I walked into the woods, and reached a
distance of
> 1000 feet, the voltage went to zero.
>
>
> > I am in Kihei, Maui and there are no significant readings
outside.
>  
> That is good. Doesn't sound like a problem with location.
>
> > The fields are only in these 2 areas (at that's all I've found so
> > far). The rest of the house has negligible readings (except near
> > appliances etc, of course).
> >
> > There are fluorescent lights in the garage underneath. Somebody
> > mentioned that these can cause a problem, but presumably only
when
> > they are switched on (?) (which is rare).
> >  
>
> AH!
> I have a big discovery to share here.
>
> The house we built, I designed the wiring layout to reduce exposure
to
> living areas. And, all wiring is in metal EMT conduit.
> At the time, I did not have a body voltage meter or knowledge of
> electric fields, and so left 3 conduits in plastic conduit. 2 of
which
> went underground, and so did not have much choice. The other, was 1
1/2"
> main trunk, and EMT does not come that big easily.
>
> In hind sight, that was a mistake. Those are the areas with
elevated
> readings.
>
> BUT, when exploring the house this summer, I found elevated
readings
> from the telephone wiring, and get this: THE METAL RING CHAINS
holding
> hanging lights. The kind usually placed near a reading chair, and
with
> 3-way switches (3 brightness levels). The chain has the electric
cord
> threaded through it, back and forth every few rings. The chain is
not
> grounded or touching anything. BUT IT'S CLOSE PROXIMITY to the
> unshielded power cord, caused very radical readings, almost like
> amplification and reflections. Unplug the power cord, and
measurements
> go back to background levels.
>
> Also, the other big discovery, was the rebar in the concrete floor
and
> foundation. They are not grounded, and were creating a significant
> impact before I found a way to ground them.
>
> So, the loops and wiring of a transformer, even off, may be a
genuine
> suspect.
>
> Also, sometimes the power supply is designed as "always on", and
>
the light switch is not on the hot side of the circuit.
> That might be a valid problem for an electrician to check.
> Better yet. disconnect the ballast completely.
>
> > Why does 3 Milligauss sound unlikely? 4-8 Milligauss must sound
even
> > more unlikely!
> >
> >  
>
> Yes.
> Given the distance from the wiring, I said this. I have only seen
> readings that high, Very close to motors and transformers.
>
> And given the trifield meter is 3-axis, that is actually an average
of
> the 3 axis, and so for that number to be high, can only be be
strong field.
>
> Is the knob turned to Magnetic _1-100_ or _1-3_range_ ?
>
> You're welcome,
> Stewart
>