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EXPLAINING ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
(EMF METERS)
Anyone who has become interested in the field of paranormal research today has probably heard of the gadgets that the modern researcher uses. Among those instruments is a devise called an electromagnetic verify probable hauntings. EMF meters provide a starting point and can eliminate things that we can not see in the walls and floors, etc. Such meters make our job a little easier as we struggle to document or disprove a haunting. However, the EMF meter is only a tool that can help us; it can not “prove” a ghost is there.
What is an electromagnetic field (EMF)? An electromagnetic field occurs any time electricity passes through a wire or an appliance that is operating. An appliance that is plugged in, but not turned on emits an electrostatic field, not an electromagnetic field. For the purpose of studying parapsychology we will only need to learn about electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic fields weaken with distance from the source. Electromagnetic fields are measured in units called mill Gauss. A high mill Gauss reading indicates a strong electromagnetic field. The EMF meter will measure these fields but you must determine what is an unusual field. What is considered a normal field, though? Most buildings generally have an ambient background reading of .5 to 2 mill Gauss (mG).
Anyone that has been to a site with me has seen me poking around with my EMF detector. My detector is a model PY-17 made by Amprobe. This device measures low level electromagnetic radiation in the 60 Hz range. It has sensitivity from 1 to 800 mG. It is directional, so it must be pointed at the source. Also, the detector must be held steady to get an accurate reading. If it is moved around too quickly or shaken, a false spike will result. You will think that you have found something, when you have not.
There are several factors to consider when using an EMF detector inside a building.
1) Walls are not barriers to EMF. Something on the other side of the wall may be causing your reading. Find out what is on the other side of the wall and decide if that could be the source.
2) Electric wiring with current running through it gives off a slight EMF. Look for possible wiring around the area where you are picking up a reading. Active wiring will only register if you are within a few inches.
3) Electric junction boxes or fuse boxes will register stronger than wiring. Be aware of their locations.
4) Fluorescent lights give off an EMF that could register. Incandescent lights give off a minimal, usually undetectable EMF.
5) Appliances of all types give off an EMF when operating. These include, but are not limited to, televisions, computers, microwaves, refrigerators, and electric ovens. You can determine the strength of an appliance’s EMF by taking readings from different directions and distances. If you are picking up a reading that is appliance related it the EMF reading should drop off significantly when you are a couple feet from the appliance.
Likewise, there are specific factors to consider when using an EMF meter outside. Technically there should be no EMF readings outside. If you find EMF readings outside, consider these factors:
1) Are there any buildings close by? It is possible that a nearby building is causing your reading.
2) Consider power lines. These will cause an increase in the EMF reading. You should be aware of overhead and buried power lines in your area.
3) A high iron content in the ground could also give you a higher than expected EMF reading. This is the same reason that a compass will not work properly in an area that is rich in iron ore.
Now that you know some things that could give false positive readings, what do you look for? If you do find a higher reading that expected, and one not explained by normal electrical sources, then you may have found something paranormal. Remember that you have to account for all the factors above before you can hope to reach any true conclusions.
Look for EMF’s that appear and disappear. The area you are investigating must remain constant to pick up appearing and disappearing fields. If you have the lights on when the high reading appeared, then they must still be on when the lower reading is recorded. The same would apply for all appliances and equipment. Never turn off anything while in the middle of a search. If you find a field that appears and disappears when the background remains constant, then you may have activity.
EMF's that seem to move are a significant indicator of activity. The background needs to remain constant in order to locate such fields. I have found moving EMF's in several locations. They will either move away from you or follow you. In one case I was able to follow a moving EMF through two floors of a building. On another occasion, I followed a moving EMF into a room and through a wall. Closer inspection of this wall indicated that there had once been a doorway there.
I hope that you now have a better understanding of electromagnetic fields and what can cause them. If anyone is interested in obtaining an EMF detector, they can be ordered through any major electrical supply company. I ordered mine through Hite Company in Altoona for less than fifty dollars. Now when you see me with my box of little red lights, you will know what I am doing. Good hunting. Working together as a team a photographer and a person with an EMF meter can sometimes capture bursts of energy called orbs. when he is picking up anomalous readings at a location and I snap a photograph with my digital camera, we will have captured an orb. Almost always there is a temperature change happening at this time if an orb is present. These we call cold spots that often signal a ghost or spirit is present. What is believed to happen is that the ghost uses the energy in that spot to manifest itself and, in return, produces a cold mass. These spots can sometimes be extremely cold. (Cold spots are normally defined as unexplained temperature variances not accounted for by normal means i.e.: cold leaking from the seal of a refrigerator, breezes, open windows etc.)
I should also mention that when using an EMF meter it is very important that when you hold it in your hand you move it gently side to side. A quick or jerky motion will cause the meter to give you a false reading. This is a nice piece of equipment that can help locate a possible ghost, but it is also a delicate instrument that you must learn to use over time. You must take your time working with it in order to get accurate results and this requires discipline.
These meters are made by several different companies at various price ranges. Some go as low as $30 to $50 for the beginner or if you are really serious a more advanced meter like the TRI-FIELD NATURAL EMF METER that can go for several hundred dollars. This meter is designed to tune out the fields generated by household appliances. It is said to be so sensitive that it can pick up the energy field of a living person. This meter picks up both the magnetic and electrical field, and also has a Sum setting which combines both and is perfect for paranormal research. This meter also makes a whining sound whenever it detects a fluctuation in the field. The Internet is a good place to shop and learn more about these meters if you are interested.
Perhaps there is no point about EMF meters that I can stress as more important than this last one: Learn How to USE it! I mean, walk around the site as soon as you get there noting the readings. Practice with it in different situation and play with it a bit. You must be able to rule out all other fields before you can believe that you have something supernatural.
