Experience with Magnetic Shielding?

>
>
> Hi Guys! New to the group, and one of the many topics I hope to learn more
> about is shielding magnetic fields. Im close to the main line to the house,
> and the panel box in the bedroom. I would like to use some kind of foil or
> other material to line outside the house wall, and panel to block some of
> the magnetic entering through the wall. I hope someone has heard about this
> before. Im getting a 10mg reading or higher sometimes!
>
> Thanks guys.
>
>  
>

>
> Magnetic shielding tends to be too expensive to use on a whole house.
> You can't use aluminum foil, but mu-metal foil will make an improvement.
> The most cost effective is silicon steel (magnet steel).  It's not a foil,
> it is sheet metal.  The grain of the metal should align with the field.
>
> From 10mG you have a long way to go.  Even to get a small area down to 2mG
> would be a challenge, and ideally you want 0.02 mG or lower.
>
> If it's coming from a power line it's pretty hopeless, although getting rid
> of neutral current and ground loops can allow the field to fall off more
> quickly as you move away from the lines.  This means interrupting current in
> metal water pipes, disconnecting extra ground connections, gas to electric
> connections.   It's good to figure out where current flows in the
> neighborhood before hring a plumber.
>
>
> On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 2:35 AM, ChrisR <vwporscheaudi@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Hi Guys! New to the group, and one of the many topics I hope to learn more
> > about is shielding magnetic fields. Im close to the main line to the house,
> > and the panel box in the bedroom. I would like to use some kind of foil or
> > other material to line outside the house wall, and panel to block some of
> > the magnetic entering through the wall. I hope someone has heard about this
> > before. Im getting a 10mg reading or higher sometimes!
> >
> > Thanks guys.
> >
> >  
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

>
>
> Hi Bill. Thanks for your response. I will look into the silicon steel more,
> as this may be a little cheaper than all this mu-metal ive been looking at!
>
> My issue continued: I have the power "drop-down" coming into my roof and
> going on the opposite wall of my shower and bedroom. the box is pretty much
> next to my head when I shower, and the highest readings.
>
> I want to put a piece of shield(silicon steel?) in between the back of the
> panel box, and the shingles on my house. its a small distance, maybe 1", but
> anything I can pack in that distance is best.
>
> Is there a wrap or conduit that is good to wrap around the power lines? (of
> course with power company approval)
>
> thanks.
>
> p.s. as far as checking current to ground in the neighborhood, can you
> elaborate? get a net current flow meter and walk to my neighbors houses
> putting it around the water/gas/ground lines?
>
> would the catv line near the power line amplify the magnetic field?
>
>
> --- In [hidden email] <eSens%40yahoogroups.com>, Bill Bruno
> <wbruno@...> wrote:
> >
> > Magnetic shielding tends to be too expensive to use on a whole house.
> > You can't use aluminum foil, but mu-metal foil will make an improvement.
> > The most cost effective is silicon steel (magnet steel). It's not a foil,
> > it is sheet metal. The grain of the metal should align with the field.
> >
> > From 10mG you have a long way to go. Even to get a small area down to 2mG
> > would be a challenge, and ideally you want 0.02 mG or lower.
> >
> > If it's coming from a power line it's pretty hopeless, although getting
> rid
> > of neutral current and ground loops can allow the field to fall off more
> > quickly as you move away from the lines. This means interrupting current
> in
> > metal water pipes, disconnecting extra ground connections, gas to
> electric
> > connections. It's good to figure out where current flows in the
> > neighborhood before hring a plumber.
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 2:35 AM, ChrisR <vwporscheaudi@...> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi Guys! New to the group, and one of the many topics I hope to learn
> more
> > > about is shielding magnetic fields. Im close to the main line to the
> house,
> > > and the panel box in the bedroom. I would like to use some kind of foil
> or
> > > other material to line outside the house wall, and panel to block some
> of
> > > the magnetic entering through the wall. I hope someone has heard about
> this
> > > before. Im getting a 10mg reading or higher sometimes!
> > >
> > > Thanks guys.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>  
>

>
> The safest advice is to move.
>
> Or for about $5k (maybe much more or less) you might be
> able to get the meter moved to a pole away from the house.
> Then have twisted wires (I think aluminum comes pre-twisted)
> run underground to the panel.  You will still get high readings
> but not as high.  Beware they may insist on upgrading the meter
> to digital which could make things worse rather than better.
>
> I just tried putting some shielding material over my panel.
> The field 10' inside the house got slightly worse!
>
> I don't quite understand your explanation of the box and shingles.
>
> If the power company wires are twisted evenly I don't think there's
> anything they can do to make it better for you, unless there is
> RFI on the lines in which case you can tell them it's harmful interference
> on you MFJ-856 radio and they should try to fix that.
>
> The issue with net current is that all the current coming from
> the power company on the wires should return via the neutral wire.
> Usually it doesn't because it can go back through the ground rod or
> pipes.  It's not obvious whether breaking those connections will
> help you in the shower, but further away it can make a big difference
> (unless the dominant field is from something else, like the lines on the
> street).
>
> Chances are removing all those connections will violate code, but the
> grounding rules seem to be changing a lot.  As long as the neutral and
> ground are bonded in the panel (which is true in the US for the most part)
> you won't notice if there is no earth connection, unless the neutral wire
> breaks some day.  Which you would notice in either case, but might be less
> dangerous with the connections.  I've never encountered such a neutral break
> but they do happen sometimes, so I've read.  But it seems unlikely unless
> there is construction or rewiring being done.
>
>
>
> On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 11:54 AM, ChrisR <vwporscheaudi@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Hi Bill. Thanks for your response. I will look into the silicon steel more,
> > as this may be a little cheaper than all this mu-metal ive been looking at!
> >
> > My issue continued: I have the power "drop-down" coming into my roof and
> > going on the opposite wall of my shower and bedroom. the box is pretty much
> > next to my head when I shower, and the highest readings.
> >
> > I want to put a piece of shield(silicon steel?) in between the back of the
> > panel box, and the shingles on my house. its a small distance, maybe 1", but
> > anything I can pack in that distance is best.
> >
> > Is there a wrap or conduit that is good to wrap around the power lines? (of
> > course with power company approval)
> >
> > thanks.
> >
> > p.s. as far as checking current to ground in the neighborhood, can you
> > elaborate? get a net current flow meter and walk to my neighbors houses
> > putting it around the water/gas/ground lines?
> >
> > would the catv line near the power line amplify the magnetic field?
> >
> >
> > --- In [hidden email] <eSens%40yahoogroups.com>, Bill Bruno
> > <wbruno@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Magnetic shielding tends to be too expensive to use on a whole house.
> > > You can't use aluminum foil, but mu-metal foil will make an improvement.
> > > The most cost effective is silicon steel (magnet steel). It's not a foil,
> > > it is sheet metal. The grain of the metal should align with the field.
> > >
> > > From 10mG you have a long way to go. Even to get a small area down to 2mG
> > > would be a challenge, and ideally you want 0.02 mG or lower.
> > >
> > > If it's coming from a power line it's pretty hopeless, although getting
> > rid
> > > of neutral current and ground loops can allow the field to fall off more
> > > quickly as you move away from the lines. This means interrupting current
> > in
> > > metal water pipes, disconnecting extra ground connections, gas to
> > electric
> > > connections. It's good to figure out where current flows in the
> > > neighborhood before hring a plumber.
> > >
> > >
> > > On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 2:35 AM, ChrisR <vwporscheaudi@> wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Hi Guys! New to the group, and one of the many topics I hope to learn
> > more
> > > > about is shielding magnetic fields. Im close to the main line to the
> > house,
> > > > and the panel box in the bedroom. I would like to use some kind of foil
> > or
> > > > other material to line outside the house wall, and panel to block some
> > of
> > > > the magnetic entering through the wall. I hope someone has heard about
> > this
> > > > before. Im getting a 10mg reading or higher sometimes!
> > > >
> > > > Thanks guys.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
> >  
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

>
> Magnetic shielding tends to be too expensive to use on a whole house.
> You can't use aluminum foil, but mu-metal foil will make an improvement.
> The most cost effective is silicon steel (magnet steel). It's not a foil,
> it is sheet metal. The grain of the metal should align with the field.
>
> From 10mG you have a long way to go. Even to get a small area down to 2mG
> would be a challenge, and ideally you want 0.02 mG or lower.
>
> If it's coming from a power line it's pretty hopeless, although getting rid
> of neutral current and ground loops can allow the field to fall off more
> quickly as you move away from the lines. This means interrupting current in
> metal water pipes, disconnecting extra ground connections, gas to electric
> connections. It's good to figure out where current flows in the
> neighborhood before hring a plumber.
>
>
> On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 2:35 AM, ChrisR <vwporscheaudi@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Hi Guys! New to the group, and one of the many topics I hope to learn more
> > about is shielding magnetic fields. Im close to the main line to the house,
> > and the panel box in the bedroom. I would like to use some kind of foil or
> > other material to line outside the house wall, and panel to block some of
> > the magnetic entering through the wall. I hope someone has heard about this
> > before. Im getting a 10mg reading or higher sometimes!
> >
> > Thanks guys.
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

>
>
> Thanks for the responses.
>
> To add to this matter, I have recently found that before my CATV cable is
> grounded at the meter tube close to my bedroom, that I have high gauss
> readings! I believe this to be my issue, or at least half of it. The CATV
> coaxial cable drapes close to my bedroom windows, close than the actual
> power lines by about 5 feet.
>
> I have called the cable company and told them my issue. The last guy was
> scared to climb on a ladder to install some cables, will see how the
> pressure increases what happens haha. I believe there to be some power on
> the CATV lines... if anything, im getting it re-routed, which is much easier
> than power feeds.
>
> I have also noticed high readings from the neighbors property. They have a
> old style knob and tube from the lines to there house going close by my
> room. This is really old style, and seems like a ionizer at this point...
>
> Anywho, thats the update.
> Thanks again, and I will try to help my best back in the group!
> All the best.
>
>
> --- In [hidden email] <eSens%40yahoogroups.com>, Bill Bruno
> <wbruno@...> wrote:
> >
> > The safest advice is to move.
> >
> > Or for about $5k (maybe much more or less) you might be
> > able to get the meter moved to a pole away from the house.
> > Then have twisted wires (I think aluminum comes pre-twisted)
> > run underground to the panel. You will still get high readings
> > but not as high. Beware they may insist on upgrading the meter
> > to digital which could make things worse rather than better.
> >
> > I just tried putting some shielding material over my panel.
> > The field 10' inside the house got slightly worse!
> >
> > I don't quite understand your explanation of the box and shingles.
> >
> > If the power company wires are twisted evenly I don't think there's
> > anything they can do to make it better for you, unless there is
> > RFI on the lines in which case you can tell them it's harmful
> interference
> > on you MFJ-856 radio and they should try to fix that.
> >
> > The issue with net current is that all the current coming from
> > the power company on the wires should return via the neutral wire.
> > Usually it doesn't because it can go back through the ground rod or
> > pipes. It's not obvious whether breaking those connections will
> > help you in the shower, but further away it can make a big difference
> > (unless the dominant field is from something else, like the lines on the
> > street).
> >
> > Chances are removing all those connections will violate code, but the
> > grounding rules seem to be changing a lot. As long as the neutral and
> > ground are bonded in the panel (which is true in the US for the most
> part)
> > you won't notice if there is no earth connection, unless the neutral wire
> > breaks some day. Which you would notice in either case, but might be less
> > dangerous with the connections. I've never encountered such a neutral
> break
> > but they do happen sometimes, so I've read. But it seems unlikely unless
> > there is construction or rewiring being done.
> >
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 11:54 AM, ChrisR <vwporscheaudi@...> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi Bill. Thanks for your response. I will look into the silicon steel
> more,
> > > as this may be a little cheaper than all this mu-metal ive been looking
> at!
> > >
> > > My issue continued: I have the power "drop-down" coming into my roof
> and
> > > going on the opposite wall of my shower and bedroom. the box is pretty
> much
> > > next to my head when I shower, and the highest readings.
> > >
> > > I want to put a piece of shield(silicon steel?) in between the back of
> the
> > > panel box, and the shingles on my house. its a small distance, maybe
> 1", but
> > > anything I can pack in that distance is best.
> > >
> > > Is there a wrap or conduit that is good to wrap around the power lines?
> (of
> > > course with power company approval)
> > >
> > > thanks.
> > >
> > > p.s. as far as checking current to ground in the neighborhood, can you
> > > elaborate? get a net current flow meter and walk to my neighbors houses
> > > putting it around the water/gas/ground lines?
> > >
> > > would the catv line near the power line amplify the magnetic field?
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In [hidden email] <eSens%40yahoogroups.com> <eSens%
> 40yahoogroups.com>, Bill Bruno
>
> > > <wbruno@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Magnetic shielding tends to be too expensive to use on a whole house.
> > > > You can't use aluminum foil, but mu-metal foil will make an
> improvement.
> > > > The most cost effective is silicon steel (magnet steel). It's not a
> foil,
> > > > it is sheet metal. The grain of the metal should align with the
> field.
> > > >
> > > > From 10mG you have a long way to go. Even to get a small area down to
> 2mG
> > > > would be a challenge, and ideally you want 0.02 mG or lower.
> > > >
> > > > If it's coming from a power line it's pretty hopeless, although
> getting
> > > rid
> > > > of neutral current and ground loops can allow the field to fall off
> more
> > > > quickly as you move away from the lines. This means interrupting
> current
> > > in
> > > > metal water pipes, disconnecting extra ground connections, gas to
> > > electric
> > > > connections. It's good to figure out where current flows in the
> > > > neighborhood before hring a plumber.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 2:35 AM, ChrisR <vwporscheaudi@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Hi Guys! New to the group, and one of the many topics I hope to
> learn
> > > more
> > > > > about is shielding magnetic fields. Im close to the main line to
> the
> > > house,
> > > > > and the panel box in the bedroom. I would like to use some kind of
> foil
> > > or
> > > > > other material to line outside the house wall, and panel to block
> some
> > > of
> > > > > the magnetic entering through the wall. I hope someone has heard
> about
> > > this
> > > > > before. Im getting a 10mg reading or higher sometimes!
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks guys.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>  
>

>
> You should tell them that not only is the knob and tube
> terrible safety-wise, it also will cause interference on all
> their electronics.  They should upgrade at least to romex,
> ideally metal clad or in conduit, twisted.  3-conductor romex
> is usually twisted and that would help.
>
> It's usually a good idea for all the wires (cable, electric) to follow
> more or less the same path.  That way the AC on the cable will
> make a smaller loop.  If it was my house I would disconnect that
> ground or put a spark gap or big $4 Zener diode (bi-directional,
> 12V should be OK, also called transient voltage suppressor TVS).
>
> In which case it's only grounded when lightning hits (unless the
> TVS gets burnt away).  It's actually nice to have it grounded
> to reduce electric fields, but you want to ground it far away from
> you to reduce the magnetic field.   So have the ground wire follow
> back where the cable came from and ground it at the property line if
> possible.  Or have the cable guy open the jacket and ground it at the
> property line.   Or tell him to disconnect the whole thing....
>
>
> On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 10:54 PM, ChrisR <vwporscheaudi@...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Thanks for the responses.
> >
> > To add to this matter, I have recently found that before my CATV cable is
> > grounded at the meter tube close to my bedroom, that I have high gauss
> > readings! I believe this to be my issue, or at least half of it. The CATV
> > coaxial cable drapes close to my bedroom windows, close than the actual
> > power lines by about 5 feet.
> >
> > I have called the cable company and told them my issue. The last guy was
> > scared to climb on a ladder to install some cables, will see how the
> > pressure increases what happens haha. I believe there to be some power on
> > the CATV lines... if anything, im getting it re-routed, which is much easier
> > than power feeds.
> >
> > I have also noticed high readings from the neighbors property. They have a
> > old style knob and tube from the lines to there house going close by my
> > room. This is really old style, and seems like a ionizer at this point...
> >
> > Anywho, thats the update.
> > Thanks again, and I will try to help my best back in the group!
> > All the best.
> >
> >
> > --- In [hidden email] <eSens%40yahoogroups.com>, Bill Bruno
> > <wbruno@> wrote:
> > >
> > > The safest advice is to move.
> > >
> > > Or for about $5k (maybe much more or less) you might be
> > > able to get the meter moved to a pole away from the house.
> > > Then have twisted wires (I think aluminum comes pre-twisted)
> > > run underground to the panel. You will still get high readings
> > > but not as high. Beware they may insist on upgrading the meter
> > > to digital which could make things worse rather than better.
> > >
> > > I just tried putting some shielding material over my panel.
> > > The field 10' inside the house got slightly worse!
> > >
> > > I don't quite understand your explanation of the box and shingles.
> > >
> > > If the power company wires are twisted evenly I don't think there's
> > > anything they can do to make it better for you, unless there is
> > > RFI on the lines in which case you can tell them it's harmful
> > interference
> > > on you MFJ-856 radio and they should try to fix that.
> > >
> > > The issue with net current is that all the current coming from
> > > the power company on the wires should return via the neutral wire.
> > > Usually it doesn't because it can go back through the ground rod or
> > > pipes. It's not obvious whether breaking those connections will
> > > help you in the shower, but further away it can make a big difference
> > > (unless the dominant field is from something else, like the lines on the
> > > street).
> > >
> > > Chances are removing all those connections will violate code, but the
> > > grounding rules seem to be changing a lot. As long as the neutral and
> > > ground are bonded in the panel (which is true in the US for the most
> > part)
> > > you won't notice if there is no earth connection, unless the neutral wire
> > > breaks some day. Which you would notice in either case, but might be less
> > > dangerous with the connections. I've never encountered such a neutral
> > break
> > > but they do happen sometimes, so I've read. But it seems unlikely unless
> > > there is construction or rewiring being done.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 11:54 AM, ChrisR <vwporscheaudi@> wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Hi Bill. Thanks for your response. I will look into the silicon steel
> > more,
> > > > as this may be a little cheaper than all this mu-metal ive been looking
> > at!
> > > >
> > > > My issue continued: I have the power "drop-down" coming into my roof
> > and
> > > > going on the opposite wall of my shower and bedroom. the box is pretty
> > much
> > > > next to my head when I shower, and the highest readings.
> > > >
> > > > I want to put a piece of shield(silicon steel?) in between the back of
> > the
> > > > panel box, and the shingles on my house. its a small distance, maybe
> > 1", but
> > > > anything I can pack in that distance is best.
> > > >
> > > > Is there a wrap or conduit that is good to wrap around the power lines?
> > (of
> > > > course with power company approval)
> > > >
> > > > thanks.
> > > >
> > > > p.s. as far as checking current to ground in the neighborhood, can you
> > > > elaborate? get a net current flow meter and walk to my neighbors houses
> > > > putting it around the water/gas/ground lines?
> > > >
> > > > would the catv line near the power line amplify the magnetic field?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In [hidden email] <eSens%40yahoogroups.com> <eSens%
> > 40yahoogroups.com>, Bill Bruno
> >
> > > > <wbruno@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Magnetic shielding tends to be too expensive to use on a whole house.
> > > > > You can't use aluminum foil, but mu-metal foil will make an
> > improvement.
> > > > > The most cost effective is silicon steel (magnet steel). It's not a
> > foil,
> > > > > it is sheet metal. The grain of the metal should align with the
> > field.
> > > > >
> > > > > From 10mG you have a long way to go. Even to get a small area down to
> > 2mG
> > > > > would be a challenge, and ideally you want 0.02 mG or lower.
> > > > >
> > > > > If it's coming from a power line it's pretty hopeless, although
> > getting
> > > > rid
> > > > > of neutral current and ground loops can allow the field to fall off
> > more
> > > > > quickly as you move away from the lines. This means interrupting
> > current
> > > > in
> > > > > metal water pipes, disconnecting extra ground connections, gas to
> > > > electric
> > > > > connections. It's good to figure out where current flows in the
> > > > > neighborhood before hring a plumber.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 2:35 AM, ChrisR <vwporscheaudi@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hi Guys! New to the group, and one of the many topics I hope to
> > learn
> > > > more
> > > > > > about is shielding magnetic fields. Im close to the main line to
> > the
> > > > house,
> > > > > > and the panel box in the bedroom. I would like to use some kind of
> > foil
> > > > or
> > > > > > other material to line outside the house wall, and panel to block
> > some
> > > > of
> > > > > > the magnetic entering through the wall. I hope someone has heard
> > about
> > > > this
> > > > > > before. Im getting a 10mg reading or higher sometimes!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks guys.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
> >  
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>