Exposure limits can vary a lot over the full range of frequencies from extremely low to radio frequencies. But even within the extremely low frequency range - where power systems operate - there can be differences between 50 Hz and 60 Hz. 50 Hz is used in parts of the world more influenced by British and European practice, 60 Hz is used in parts of the world more influenced by American practice.
In this page we summarise how the values of the exposure limits change from 50 to 60 Hz.
The 1998 ICNIRP Guidelines
These are the values used in the 1998 ICNIRP guidelines themselves and also the EU Recommendation for public exposure and Directive for occupational exposure which are based on them
|
50 Hz |
60 Hz |
Units |
| Occupational |
| basic restriction |
10 |
10 |
mA m-2 |
| magnetic field reference levels |
500 |
417 |
μT |
| electric field reference level |
10 |
8.333 |
kV m-1 |
| General public |
| basic restriction |
2 |
2 |
mA m-2 |
| magnetic field reference levels |
100 |
83 |
μT |
| electric field reference level |
5 |
4.167 |
kV m-1 |
The 2010 ICNIRP Guidelines
|
|
50 Hz |
60 Hz |
Units |
| Occupational |
| basic restriction: head |
100 |
120 |
mV/m |
| basic restriction: whole body |
800 |
800 |
mV/m |
| magnetic field reference levels |
1000 |
1000 |
μT |
| electric field reference level |
10 |
8.333 |
kV m-1 |
| General public |
| basic restriction: head |
20 |
24 |
mV/m |
| basic restriction: whole body |
400 |
400 |
mV/m |
| magnetic field reference levels |
200 |
200 |
μT |
| electric field reference level |
5 |
4.167 |
kV m-1 |
