Measuring Occupational Exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency Electric Fields at 220 kV Substations.

Earlier studies conducted at 400 and 110 kV substations in Finland have shown that the occupational exposure to electric fields can exceed the action levels (ALs) set by Directive 2013/35/EU. This is a case study investigating the level of occupational exposure experienced by workers at 220 kV substations in order to determine if the actions levels are being exceeded. The measurements were conducted at two old 220 kV substations in Finland.

Current densities and total contact currents during forest clearing tasks under 400 kV power lines.

The aim of the study was to analyze all values of electric currents from measured periods while performing tasks in forest clearing. The objective was also to choose and analyze measurement cases, where current measurements successfully lasted the entire work period (about 30 min). Two forestry workers volunteered to perform four forest clearing tasks under 400 kV power lines.

Cardiac pacemakers in magnetic fields of a shunt reactor at a 400 kV substation.

The use of cardiac pacemakers (PMs) increases in Western countries. The aim of the study is to investigate cardiac pacemakers (PMs) using a human-shaped phantom in magnetic fields of a shunt reactor at a 400 kV substation. We performed seven PM experiments using a phantom.

Current densities and total contact currents for 110 and 220 kV power line tasks.

The aim of this study was to analyze all values of electric current from measured periods while performing tasks on 110 and 220 kV power lines. Additionally, the objective was to study the average current densities and average total contact currents caused by electric fields in 110 and 220 kV power line tasks. One worker simulated the following tasks: (A) tested insulation voltage at a 110 kV portal tower, (B) checked the wooden towers for rot at a 110 kV portal tower, (C) tested insulation voltage at a 220 kV portal tower, and (D) checked the wooden towers for rot at a 220 kV portal tower.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators in electric and magnetic fields of 400 kV power lines.

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy has increased in Western countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the function of ICDs using a human-shaped phantom in electric and magnetic fields of 400 kV power lines.

Methods: The phantom was used in the following manner: isolated from the ground, earthed from a foot, or earthed from a hand.

Comparison of electric field exposure measurement methods under power lines.

The object of the study was to investigate extremely low frequency (ELF) electric field exposure measurement methods under power lines. The authors compared two different methods under power lines: in Method A, the sensor was placed on a tripod; and Method B required the measurer to hold the meter horizontally so that the distance from him/her was at least 1.5 m.

Current densities and total contact currents associated with 400 kV power line tasks.

The aim of the study was to analyze all current values from measured periods while performing tasks on 400 kV power lines. Our aim was also to study the average current densities and average total contact currents caused by electric fields in 400 kV power line tasks. Two workers simulated the following tasks: (A) climbing up a portal tower, (B) climbing up a portal transposing tower, (C) working on the cross-arm of a portal tower, (D) climbing up a portal tube tower, (E) climbing up a Tannenbaum tower on the side of the energized circuit with the other circuit unenergized, (F) climbing up a Tannenbaum tower with both circuits energized, and (G) climbing up a Donau tower.

Influence of relative humidity on analyzing electric field exposure using ELF electric field measurements.

The objective of the study was to investigate the influence of humidity on analyzing electric field exposure using extremely low frequency (ELF) electric field measurements. The study included 322 measurements in a climate room. We used two commercial three-axis meters, EFA-3 and EFA-300, and employed two measurement techniques in the climate room where we varied the temperature from 15 to 25 °C, the relative humidity from 55% to 95%, and the electric field from 1 to 25 kV/m.

Numerical evaluation of currents induced in a worker by ELF non-uniform electric fields in high voltage substations and comparison with experimental results.

An ungrounded human, such as a substation worker, receives contact currents when touching a grounded object in electric fields. In this article, contact currents and internal electric fields induced in the human when exposed to non-uniform electric fields at 50 Hz are numerically calculated. This is done using a realistic human model standing at a distance of 0.

Occupational exposure to electric fields and currents associated with 110 kV substation tasks.

The main aim of this study was to investigate occupational exposure to electric fields, and current densities and contact currents associated with tasks at air-insulated 110 kV substations and analyze if the action value of EU Directive 2004/40/EC was exceeded. Four workers volunteered to simulate the following tasks: Task (A) maintenance of an operating device of a disconnector at ground or floor level, Task (B) maintenance of an operating device of a circuit breaker at ground or floor level, Task (C) breaker head maintenance from a man hoist, and Task (D) maintenance of an operating device of a circuit breaker from a service platform. The highest maximum average current density in the neck was 1.

Cardiac pacemakers in electric and magnetic fields of 400-kV power lines.

Background: The cardiac pacemaker (PM) implantation rate per million is high. Earlier studies have found interference to PMs by electromagnetic fields. The aim of the study is to investigate disturbances in cardiac PM using a human-shaped phantom in electric and magnetic fields of 400-kV power lines.

Occupational exposure to electric and magnetic fields while working at switching and transforming stations of 110 kV.

The aim of the study was to measure occupational exposure to electric and magnetic fields during various work tasks at switching and transforming stations of 110 kV (in some situations 20 kV), and analyze if the action values of European Union Directive 2004/40/EC or reference values of International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) were exceeded. The electric (n = 765) and magnetic (n = 203) fields were measured during various work tasks. The average values of all measurements were 3.

Occupational exposure to electric fields and induced currents associated with 400 kV substation tasks from different service platforms.

The aim of the study was to investigate the occupational exposure to electric fields, average current densities, and average total contact currents at 400 kV substation tasks from different service platforms (main transformer inspection, maintenance of operating device of disconnector, maintenance of operating device of circuit breaker). The average values are calculated over measured periods (about 2.5 min).

Evaluation of current densities and total contact currents in occupational exposure at 400 kV substations and power lines.

This investigation studied the current densities in the neck and total contact currents in occupational exposure at 400 kV substations and power lines. Eight voluntary workers simulated their normal work tasks using the helmet-mask measuring system. In all, 151 work tasks with induced current measurements were made.