Here is my 1st Techie Guide so to speak as most people are aware we investigators use what they call EMF meters or detectors. Here i will explain a little about what EMF actually is and how it can interact with the environment and a simple explanation on why we use the meters.

What is EMF.?


Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are generated when an electrical current passes through a conductive material.  The electrical field is always present and rarely changes, while the magnetic field fluctuates with the current.  For instance, when an electric oven is plugged into a wall, there’s always an electrical field, even when the oven is turned off, but the magnetic field will increase when the oven is turned on and in use.  Any item with a power source will produce an electromagnetic field in a room, and this includes a ghost hunter’s own equipment, such as a mobile phone.


Other items in an area can also produce an EMF.  For instance, copper is a natural electrical conductor, so copper pipes in a home will produce an EMF.  However, these fields tend to produce constant readings without fluctuation.

EMF detectors were designed to locate and measure man-made electromagnetic fields, and there are many different types of these meters.  Many ghost hunters use EMF detectors believing a high reading or disruption in a field is a sign of a spirit presence.  However, this may not be true in all cases.

A normal EMF reading is from 0.1 to 10 mG (milli-Gauss), and the manual that comes with each EMF detector will usually include a chart showing what’s standard for that model for various appliances and sources as well as experience on the users part.  It should be noted that base readings should be made when appliances are both on and off and only when the meter user is standing still.  Fields can fluctuate, which will cause a reading to spike.  However, meter users can also walk between fields, causing a “spike” on the meter.  While this may appear to be a fluctuation in the field, it’s actually a change in the user’s location, produced as they walk from one field into another, so worth bearing in mind when using these meters.

So why do we think an EMF spike means a spirit may be present?  One of the prevailing theories is that ghosts need energy to “feed on” in order to manifest.  If that’s the case, then a natural conclusion would be that areas with high EMF readings would attract spirits. As a spirit “feeds,” it then produces a phenomena, or spike, to show its presence.

However, a theory in the medical community is that exposure to high EMFs, or even prolonged exposure to low-moderate EMFs, may interfere with the body’s natural electrical system.  Just as a power surge can disrupt the electrical system in your home and cause things such as your lights to flicker, so can a disruption in the body’s system cause little flickers and bobbles, producing a variety of symptoms.

Reported symptoms of high or prolonged EMFs include headaches, anxiety, a feeling of being watched or not alone, depression, fatigue, sleeping disorders and nausea, and there have even been reports of hallucinations and suicide.

That concludes my 1st in a mini series on some of the detection equipment we use. Hopfully it will give the bigger picture that not all things are paranormal, But once all the "Debunking" is done what ever is left leaves it in the realm of the paranormal or above the norm for further investigation.

Thanks for reading.

very informative post iain  

Do you remember the instance at the airth castle, not sure of the name of the room, I was sitting with my back to the long wall with emf meter and you were approx 20-30ft away near the windows and at the same time both our meters spiked. I cant think of anything logical to explain that 1? do you have any thoughts what caused that?

Yep i think it was the Wallace suite , The fact the K2's went off at the same time could possibly be an energy passing the 2 points we were at registering on both meters , as i had already done a sweep of that area with the K2.
With no results so a strange one indeed with no logical outcome to the source i.e man made EMF so def above the Norm on that instance as it happened in 2 points in distance away from the other K2.

well done Iain, great article

Hi Iain

really interesting thanks for that. Knew about EMF's and meters but never really understood the interactions between elec equipment and fields etc before.
and the chat between you and Brain about the castle too, sounds fascinating wonder what caused that?
Debs  

Thanks for this Iain. It's good to have a little more insight into the equipment. The medical theory about high exposure to EMFs is interesting. It makes me wonder if their theory is true or them just trying to rationalise things.

Well there may be people out in the world that are sensitive to this EMF field just like people have enhancement in smell or hearing. Interesting research for someone in the Medical profession , but thought id state the implications in being in a high EMF environment as i know there was some research done on it.