More Information

The PF5 is our newest power-frequencies detector. The PF5 measures electric and magnetic EMFs from house wiring, including those from appliances at home at at work. The PF5, unlike most EMF meters on the market, also measures frequencies in the range from 20 Hz to well over 50 kHz. This enables the PF5 to measure the higher frequency electric and magnetic fields emitted by induction cooking hobs, solar-panel inverters, 'energy-saving' compact fluorescent (CFL) lamps and some LED lights.

These are amongst the most concerning new sources of our electromagnetic field exposures as the currents they induce in your body are proportional to the frequency. So a magnetic field at 25000 Hz (25 kHz) will induce 500 times more current in your body compared with same strength of field at 50 Hz. Induction hobs, in particular, induce some of the highest internal electric currents in your body in the VLF frequency range. Such currents have been shown to significantly affect the nervous system.

The PF5 is an easy to use, pocket sized, accurate, power-frequencies meter which is ideal for carrying around. It measures both electric and magnetic fields and is available labelled in either international microtesla (µT) units or in milliGauss (mG) units for America, Canada and Australia etc.

Which one should I choose?

It's up to you – whilst the scales are different, both measure the same thing. It's a little like a ruler measuring in cm or inches – it measures length, but the scale you are most comfortable with is the one you should use.

We designed the PF5 power-frequencies meter using our 25 years experience of EMF measurements and research. Although some specialist meters also measure VLF frequencies, they tend to be expensive. The PF5 is an affordable meter that makes it easy to measure these new major sources of EMF exposure.

Induction hobs use VLF magnetic fields to induce high currents in iron and steel pans which then internally heat the metal. They are very energy-efficient, but some of the VLF fields leak out around the base of the pan and expose the person doing the cooking. A 2012 study that measured 16 induction hob units found that most could exceed even the very high ICNIRP levels. Induction hobs can expose you to some of the highest exposures that most people will experience in their lives.

Not only can the PF5 measure those magnetic fields, but the PF5 can also measure VLF electric fields from other modern devices like energy saving CFL light bulbs. These electric fields can cause headaches and eye problems among other adverse health effects.

Most non-sine-wave solar power inverters generate high levels of VLF electric and magnetic fields that the PF5 can also measure while most power-frequency EMF meters will ignore them.

Note that a 0.4 µT (4 mG) magnetic field at 25 kHz will induce the same currents in your body tissues as a 200 µT (2000 mG) magnetic field at 50 Hz, so it is advisable to limit your exposure to these VLF fields.

Technical specifications

• A line of coloured LEDS shows the level
• Electric fields range: 5 - 200 V/m
• Frequency range: 15 - 2000 Hz ±3% typical accuracy)
• Magnetic fields range: 0.02 - 2.0 µT
  » also available scaled 0.2 - 20 mG
• Resolution: 8 LEDs plus 7 middle points
• Accuracy: 50 to 2000 Hz ±10%
• Accuracy: 20 to 50000 Hz ±3 dB
• with a useable response from 15 Hz - 70 kHz
• Battery: PP3 9V Alkaline or Rechargeable
• Current: 16-23 mA
• Battery life: 25 hours (normal alkaline)
• Low battery (6.7V) shown by red V/m LED
• Size (mm): 110 x 63 x 21 (LxWxD)
• Weight:140g incl.battery; 175g with pouch

Documentation

PF5 (µT) user notes / manual
PF5 (mG) user notes / manual
PF5 further information

Reviews

     

Left on Wednesday, November 21, 2018

I bought the PF5 because of its capability of measuring an extended range of frequencies, into the VLF range. Not many handheld power frequency meters measure both ELF and VLF frequencies.

I would recommend the PF5 to anyone who is concerned about their exposure to electric and magnetic fields.

The meter is very easy to use and great for assessing levels of electric fields from household wiring as well as a host of other sources.

It's surprising how high the fields can be from the lighting circuits alone. How many people know what they're exposed to in their own homes on a daily basis? No wonder so many people are ill.

J.B.

     

Left on Monday, January 23, 2017

I bought this meter together with the Acousticom 2 and started measuring my living space. Turns out that I was unnessarily exposed to electric fields for much too long from...

- an unearthed powerline adapter
- an unearthed Apple Macbook charger
- a fluorescent bulp in the lamp above my kitchen table

We live in the electromagnetic age (see Martin Blanks book "Overpowered") and I believe that it is the duty of every responsible husband and father to make sure that he and his beloved ones are not exposed to electric and magnetic fields as well as radio frequencies where this can be avoided. To avoid it in the outside world is difficult but at home where you sleep and rest you can do a lot.

This meter helps you to understand to what you are exposed so that you can start to fix things.