PCE Instruments PCE-EM 29 User manual

ELECTROSMOG METER
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Z
Y
X
AVGMAX
2

CONTENTS
Title Page
1. SAFETY INFORMATION .............................................................. 1
2. INTRODUCTION........................................................................... 2
2-1 Fundamentals................................................................................ 2
2-2 Application..................................................................................... 3
2-3 Features........................................................................................ 4
3. SPECIFICATIONS......................................................................... 5
3-1 General Specifications .................................................................. 5
3-2 Electrical Specifications................................................................. 6
4. OPERATION ................................................................................. 7
4-1 Front panel controls description.................................................... 7
4-2 LCD display description ................................................................ 9
4-3 Use E-field sensor........................................................................11
4-4 Explanatory notes ........................................................................11
4-5 Setting the meter......................................................................... 14
4-6 Making measurements................................................................ 18
4-7 Manual data memory storing individual measured values .......... 19
4-8 Setting current data and time...................................................... 21
5. MEASUREMENT PREPARATION.............................................. 21
5-1 Battery Loading........................................................................... 21
5-2 Battery Replacement................................................................... 21

1
1. SAFETY INFORMATION
CAUTION
•Before making a measurement, check if the low battery symbol
( +) is shown on the display as soon as the meter is switched on.
Change the battery if the symbol is displayed.
•In the case of prolonged storage, it is preferable to remove the battery
from the meter.
•Avoid shaking the meter, particularly in the measurement mode.
•The accuracy and function of the meter may be adversely affected by the
specified limits outside and improper handling.
DANGER !
•In some cases, work in the vicinity of powerful radiation sources can be
a risk of your life.
•Be aware that persons with electronic implants(e.g. cardiac pacemakers)
are subject to particular dangers in some cases.
•Observe the local safety regulations of the facility operation.
•Observe the operating instructions for equipment which is used to
generate, conduct or consumer electromagnetic energy.
•Be aware that secondary radiators (e.g. reflective objects such as a
metallic fence) can cause a local amplification of the field.
•Be aware that the field strength in the near vicinity of radiators increases
proportionally to the inverse cube of the distance. This means that
enormous field strengths can result in the immediate vicinity of small
radiation sources (e.g. leak in waveguides, inductive ovens).
•Field strength measuring device can underrate pulsed signals.
Particularly with radar signals, significant measurement errors can arise.
•All field strength measuring devices have a limited specified frequency
range. Fields with spectral components outside of this frequency range
are generally incorrectly evaluated and tend to be underrated. Before
using field strength measuring devices, you should thus be certain that all
field components to be measured lie in the specified frequency range of
the measuring device.

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2. INTRODUCTION
2-1 Fundamentals
Electromagnetic pollution :
This Meter used to indicate electromagnetic pollution generated
artificially. Wherever there is a voltage or a current, the electric (E)
and magnetic (H) fields arise. All types of radio broadcasting and TV
transmitters produce electromagnetic fields, and they also arise in
industry, business and the home, where they affect us even if our
sense organs perceive nothing.
Electric field strength (E) :
A field vector quantity that represents the force (F) on an infinitesimal
unit positive test charge (q) at a point divided by that charge. Electric
field strength is expressed in units of volts per meter (V/m).
Use the units of electric field strength for measurements in the following
situations:
•In the near-field area of the source.
•Where the nature of the electromagnetic field is unknown.
Magnetic field strength (H) :
A field vector that is equal to the magnetic flux density divided by the
permeability of the medium. Magnetic field strength is expressed in
units of amperes per meter (A/m).
The meter uses of magnetic field strength for measurements only in
the far-field area of the source.
Power density (S) :
Power per unit area normal to the direction of propagation, usually
expressed in units of watts per square meter (W/m2) or, for convenience,
units such as milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm2).

3
The characteristic of electromagnetic fields :
Electromagnetic fields propagate as waves and travel at the speed of
light (c). The wavelength is proportional to the frequency.
λ(wavelength) = c (speed of light)
f (frequency)
If the distance to the field source is less than three wavelength, then
we are usually in the near-field. If the distance is more than three
wave length, the far-field conditions usually hold.
In the near-field, the ratio of electric field strength (E) and magnetic
field strength (H) is not constant, so we have to measure each
separately.
In the far-field, however, it is enough to just measure one field quantity,
then the other could be computed accordingly.
2-2 Application
Quite often routine operation, maintenance and service work has to be
done in areas where active electromagnetic fields are present, e.g. in
broadcasting stations, etc. Additionally, other employees may be
exposed to electromagnetic radiation. In such cases, it is essential that
personnel are not exposed to dangerous levels of electromagnetic
radiation, such as:
High frequency (RF) electromagnetic wave field strength
measurement.
Mobil phone base station antenna radiation power density
measurement.
Wireless communication applications (CW, TDMA, GSM, DECT).
RF power measurement for transmitters.
Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) detection, installation.
Spy camera, wireless bug finder.
Cellular/Cordless phone radiation safety level.
Microwave oven leakage detection.
Personal living environment EMF safety.

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2-3 Features
The meter is a broadband device for monitoring high-frequency radiation
in the range from 10MHz to 8GHz. The non-directional electric field and
high sensitivity also allow measurements of electric field strength in TEM
cells and absorber rooms.
The unit of measurement and the measurement types have been
selected to expressed in units of electrical and magnetic field strength
and power density.
At high frequencies, the power density is of particular significance.
It provides a measure of the power absorbed by a person exposed to the
field. This power level must be kept as low as possible at high
frequencies.
The meter can be set to display the instantaneous value, the maximum
value measured or the average value. Instantaneous and maximum
value measurements are useful for orientation, e.g. when first entering an
exposed area.
10MHz to 8GHz Frequency range.
For isotropic measurements of electromagnetic fields.
Non-directional (isotropic) measurement with three-channel
measurement sensor.
High dynamic range due to three-channel digital results processing.
Configurable alarm threshold and memory function.
Easy & safety to use.

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3. SPECIFICATIONS
3-1 General Specifications
•Measurement method : Digital, triaxial measurement.
•Directional characteristic : Isotropic, triaxial.
•Measurement range selection : One continuous range.
•Display resolution : 0.1mV/m, 0.1µA/m, 0.1µW/m2, 0.001µW/cm2
•Setting time : Typically 1s (0 to 90% of measurement value).
•Display refresh rate : Typically 0.5 seconds
•Display type : Liquid-crystal (LCD), 4 digit.
•Audible alarm : Buzzer.
•Units : mV/m, V/m, µA/m, mA/m, µW/m2, mW/m2, W/m2, µW/cm2,
mW/cm2
•Display value : Instantaneous measured value, maximum value,
average value, or maximum average value.
•Alarm function : Adjustable threshold with ON/OFF.
•Calibration factor CAL : Adjustable.
•Manual data memory and read storage : 99 data sets.
•Dry batteries : 9V NEDA 1604/1604A (Alkaline battery)
•Battery life : > 3 hours
•Auto power off : 5 minutes.
•Operating temperature range : 0℃to +50℃
•Operating humidity range : 25% to 75%RH
•Storage temperature range : -10℃to +60℃
•Storage humidity range : 0% to 80%RH
•Dimensions : Approx. 67(W)×60(T)×247(L)mm.
•Weight (including battery) : Approx. 250g
•Accessories : Instruction manual, battery, Carrying case.

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3-2 Electrical Specifications
Unless otherwise stated, the following specifications hold under
the following conditions :
•The meter is located in the far-field of a source, the sensor head is
pointed towards the source.
•Ambient temperature : +23℃±3℃
•Relative air humidity : 25% to 75%
Sensor type : Electrical field (E)
Frequency range : 10MHz to 8GHz
Specified measurement range :
•CW signal (f > 50MHz) : 20mV/m to 108.0V/m ,
53µA/m to 286.4mA/m ,
1µW/m2to 30.93W/m2,
0µW/cm2to 3.093mW/cm2
Dynamic range : Typically 75dB
Absolute error at 1 V/m and 50 MHz : ±1.0dB
Frequency response :
•Sensor taking into account the typical CAL factor :
±1.0dB (50MHz to 1.9GHz)
±2.4dB (1.9GHz to 8GHz)
•Isotropy deviation : Typically ±1.0dB (f>50MHz)
•Overload limit : 10.61mW/cm2(200V/m)
•Thermal response (0 to 50℃): ±0.5dB

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4. OPERATION
4-1 Front panel controls description
Z
Y
X
AVGMAX
2
(1). E-field sensor.
(2). LCD display.
(3). key : Press this key to turn the meter on or off.
(4). key : Press this key to change sequential : “Instantaneous”→
“Max. instantaneous” →“Average” →“Max. average”.
(5). key :
cPress this key to change units selector : “mV/m or V/m” →“µA/m or
mA/m” →“µW/m2, mW/m2or W/m2”→“µW/cm2or mW/cm2”
dPress and hold this key while turning the meter on to disable the
audible sound, the “ ” symbol will disappear.

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(6). key :
cPress this key to switch to display date and time.
dPress and hold this key while turning the meter on to the alarm
setting mode, press key two times to exit this mode.
3Press this key for 3 seconds to switch the alarm function on or off.
(7). key : Press this key to enter the current data and time setting
mode, press this key again to exit this mode.
(8). key :
cPress this key to change sensor axis selector : “All axis” →“X axis”
→“Y axis” →“Z axis”.
dPress and hold this key while turning the meter on to switch the
device to the calibration factor setting mode, press “SET” key to exit
this mode.
(9). key :
cPress this key one time to store one data set to memory.
dPress and hold this key while turning the meter on to enter the clear
manually recorded data mode, press key to exit this mode.
(10). key :
cPress this key to switch to the manual data reading mode, press this
key again to exit this mode.
dPress and hold this key while turning the meter on to disable the auto
power off function, the “ ” symbol will disappear.
(11). STWX key : Setting current date and time, datalogging interval time,
alarm setting value, calibration factor setting value, or recall manual
data memory to read memory data in cycles control keys.

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4-2 LCD display description
Z
Y
X
AVGMAX
2
(1). : Auto power off function on / off.
(2). : Displayed : Audible sound function on / off.
(3). MAX : Maximum measured value displayed.
MAX AVG : Maximum average value displayed.
(4). AVG :Average measured value displayed.
(5). +: Low battery indication.
(6). Units : mV/m and V/m : Electric field strength.
µA/m and mA/m : Magnetic field strength.
µW/m2 , mW/m2,W/m2, µW/cm2and mW/cm2 : Power density
(7). : Measured value displayed as per selected mode and selected
units.
(8). : Manual stored measured value to memory indication, displays
one time store one sets data into the memory.
(9). : Read manual data memory mode indication.

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(10). : Manual data memory address number (1~99).
: The manual data memory full indication.
(11). ALARM : Alarm function on / off or alarm setting indication.
(12). ▲: When the alarm function is on , this is the indication if measured
value exceeds the limit.
(13). : hh : mm : ss Time displayed.
: YY : MM : DD Date displayed.
(14). : Battery capacity indication.
(15). CAL : Calibration factor indication or setting indication (from 0.20 to
5.00).
(16). Z: Z axis measured value displayed.
(17). Y: Y axis measured value displayed.
(18). X: X axis measured value displayed.
XYZ : Triaxial measured value displayed.
(19). : Analog bargraph of each axis (X,Y or Z) measured
dynamic range indication for observing trends.

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4-3 Use E-field sensor
The actual 3-channel sensor is located in the head part of the meter. The
three voltages generated by the sensor are fed back to the meter. In
far-fields, an E-field sensor is preferable due to the greater bandwidth.
The E-field sensor for frequencies is from 10MHz to 8GHz.
The meter is a small portable instrument that measures the electric field
presented in the atmosphere of the measurement sensor surroundings.
The measurement of the field is done by moving the aerial of the sensor in
the desired measured environment.
You obtain a direct wide band measurement of the field that the
measurement sensor is subjected to. To find the value of the field
emitted by a source of interference, simply point the aerial towards it and
get as close as possible (the value of the field is inversely proportional to
the distance of the sensor/emission source). The operator must take
care not to be between the source of disturbance and the zone to be
checked : the human body shields electromagnetic fields. The E-field
sensor is isotropic, it does not require special handing. Its sensitive part
measures the field according to 3 axes without the aerial having to be
moved in the 3 planes. Simply point it at the target to make the
measurement.
4-4 Explanatory notes
4-4-1 Units of measurement
The meter measures the electrical component of the field, the default
units are those of electrical field strength (mV/m, V/m). The meter
converts the measurement values to the otherunits of measurement, i.e.
the corresponding magnetic field strength units (µA/m, mA/m) and
power density units (µW/m2 , mW/m2, W/m2, µW/cm2,or mW/cm2) using
the standard far-field formulate for electromagnetic radiation.
The conversion is invalid for near-field measurements, as there is no
generally valid relationship between electrical and magnetic field
strength in this situation. Always use the default units of the sensor
when making near-field measurements.
4-4-2 Result modes
The bar graph display always shows each axis (X, Y or Z) the
instantaneous measured dynamic range value. The digit display
shows the instantaneous or result according to one of four modes
which can be selected :
•Instantaneous : The display shows the last value measured by the
sensor, no symbol is displayed.

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•Maximum instantaneous (MAX) : The digital display shows the
highest instantaneous value measured, the “MAX” symbol is
displayed.
•Average (AVG) : The digital display shows the average value
measured, the “AVG” symbol is displayed.
•Maximum average (MAX AVG) : The digital display shows the
highest average value measured, the “MAX AVG” symbol is
displayed.
t
Max. Hold
Average Actual
Max. Average
Field strength
4-4-3 Calibration factor (CAL)
The calibration factor CAL serves to calibrate the result display. The
field strength value measured internally is multiplied by the value of
CAL that has been entered and the resulting value is displayed. The
CAL setting range is from 0.20 to 5.00.
The CAL factor is often used as a means of entering the sensitivity of
the field sensor in terms of its frequency response in order to improve
measurement accuracy.
Frequency-dependent sensor calibration factors are provided for this
application. In many cases, the measurement accuracy will be
sufficient even if the frequency response of sensor calibration factor
is ignored. CAL can be set to 1.00 in such cases.

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E-Field typically calibration data :
Frequency CAL
50MHz 2.13
100MHz 1.37
200MHz 1.19
300MHz 0.69
433MHz 0.78
500MHz 1.38
600MHz 2.12
700MHz 1.66
800MHz 1.40
900MHz 1.40
1.8GHz 2.06
2.4GHz 0.66
3.5GHz 1.05
5.4GHz 2.20
8.0GHz 3.16
4-4-4 Alarm limit value (ALARM)
The alarm limit value is used to monitor the display value
automatically. It controls the alarm indication function. The alarm
limit value can be edited in the displayed V/m unit.
※ Alarm limit function is only used for total three axial value comparator.

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4-5 Setting the meter
4-5-1 Setting the units of measurement
With the key as follows.
X
Y
ZZ
Y
X
2
X
Y
Z
Z
Y
X
2
Units
(a)
(d) (c)
(b)
Mannal data memory number
(a). Electric field strength (V/m).
(b). Computed magnetic field strength (mA/m).
(c). Computed power density (mW/m2).
(d). Computed power density (µW/cm2).
4-5-2 Setting the result mode
Instantaneous result mode is automatically set when the meter is
turned on.
With the key as followings :
MAX
AVG
AVGMAX
Instantaneous Max. Instantaneous
Max. average Average

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4-5-3 Setting the alarm limit value (ALARM)
2 2
2
X
Y
Z
Z
Y
X
2
Z
Y
X
2
Power off Hold-on+
2
X
Y
Z
Z
Y
XX
Y
Z
X
Y
ZZ
Y
X

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When the meter is normally turned on, the alarm set limit value will display
for 2 seconds.
2
X
Y
Z
1. Press key to turn off the meter.
2. Press and hold on key, then press key to turn on the
meter to enter the alarm setting mode, the “mW/m2” unit is flashing
displayed.
3. Press “W” and “X” keys to select the desired setting unit.
4. Press key to enter the alarm value setting mode, the one of
four digit is flashing displayed.
5. Press “STWX” keys to select the desired setting value.
6. Press key to store the new setting value and exit.
4-5-4 Setting the calibration factor (CAL)
Hold-on
Power off +
When the meter is normally turned on, the calibration factor set value will
display for 2 seconds.

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1. Press key to turn off the meter.
2. Press and hold on key, then press key to turn on the meter
to enter the calibration factor setting mode, the “ CAL SEt ” marks is
displayed.
3. Press Sor Tkey to increase or decrease the value.
4. Press key to store the new setting value and exit.
4-5-5 Switching the alarm function on or off exceed limit value
on/off
ALARM
3 seconds
1. Press key for 3 seconds to switch the alarm function on or off.
The “ALARM” and “ ” symbols in the display indicates that the
alarm function is on.
2. When the alarm function is on, the display will show “▲” if the
measured value exceed the limit.
4-5-6 Setting the audible sound function off
disappears
Hold-on
Power off
+
When the meter is normally turned on, the audible sound function is on.
1. Press key to turn off the meter.
2. Press and hold key and turn on the meter again to disable the
audible sound, then the “ ” symbol will disappear from the display.

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4-5-7 Setting the auto power off function off
Hold-on
Power off
Auto power off symbol disappears
+
When the meter is normally turned on, the auto power off function is on.
1. Press key to turn off the meter.
2. Press and hold key and turn on the meter again to disable the
auto power off function, the “ ” symbol will disappear from thedisplay.
4-6 Making measurements
Important :
The following effect will be noted with all field strength meters :
If move the sensor quickly, excessive field strength values will be
displayed which do not reflect the actual field conditions. This effect is
caused by electrostatic charges.
Recommendation :
Hold the meter steady during the measurement.
4-6-1 Short-term measurements
Application :
Use either the “Instantaneous” or the “Max. instantaneous” mode, if
the characteristics and orientation of the field are unknown when
entering an area exposed to electromagnetic radiation.
Procedure
1. Hold the meter at arm’s length.
2.Make several measurements at various locations around your work
place or the interested areas as described above. This is particularly
important if the field conditions are unknown.
3.Pay special attention to measuring the vicinity of possible radiation
sources. Apart from active sources, those components connected to a
source may also act as radiators. For example, the cables used in
diathermy equipment may also radiate electromagnetic energy. Note
that metallic objects within the field may locally concentrate or amplify
the field from a distant source.