Analyzing EMF Monitoring Data During the Blackout
Wavecontrol EMF Monitors Recorded the Communication Breakdown
Major power outage in Barcelona recorded with the MonitEM
On Monday, April 28th, a large power outage affected Spain, Portugal and parts of southern France. This massive blackout happened while Wavecontrol was hosting its annual Distributors Meeting in Barcelona, abruptly interrupting all activities and presentations to distributors from all over the world. Beyond the initial shock and the need to adapt, we had the chance to offer our attendees a unique view of the blackout thanks to our electromagnetic field (EMF) monitoring devices.
When the power grid failed, electricity-dependent systems stopped working, including telecommunication antennas. This widespread power loss inevitably affected EMF radiation levels in the city. Wavecontrol’s advanced EMF monitoring system, MonitEM, designed for continuous EMF measurement, stayed operational throughout the blackout thanks to being solar powered, carefully recording the changes in EMF levels during this unusual event.
We can see in this example that the exposure levels at that location vary, in normal conditions, between approximately 1.7 V/m and 3.5 V/m. The lowest levels are recorded at night, with few people using the network, while the highest levels are found at working hours, when usage and network traffic is higher. We can see that the daily evolution of levels is quite stable, oscillating between day and night. However, the measurements clearly show that something happened that Monday: a complete stop in emissions was recorded at 12:34 PM. The impact of the blackout on telecommunication emissions was clear. The recovery of these emissions happened slowly and varied by location. At the monitored site in Barcelona, telecommunication signals did not completely recover until around 10:00 PM.
This real-world event exemplifies the importance of resilient continuous EMF monitoring. Even during unexpected situations like a major power grid failure, the ability to accurately measure and record EMF levels provides not only safety data on human EMF exposure, but also valuable information on the operational status of the communication infrastructure. Wavecontrol’s commitment to reliable and self-powered EMF monitoring ensures that EMF human safety data is available, even when primary power sources are down.
Benefits of EMF Monitoring
Monitoring electromagnetic fields with solutions like the MonitEM and the new MonitEM-IoT sensor goes beyond passive measurement, it becomes an active tool for improving quality across various environments. In the context of smart cities and crowded areas, such as major sporting events or concerts, telecommunication signals need reinforcement to ensure service is not affected and this often translates into more antennas being installed closer to people. On such occasions, 24/7 autonomous monitoring is key to ensuring EMF levels do not exceed the recommended safety limits.
Our latest product, the MonitEM-IoT, is a solution specially designed for these scenarios since its easy installation and compact design allow multiple monitoring sensors to be placed in close proximity. Additionally, it is self-powered by long-lasting batteries, ensuring continuous monitoring even when EMF signals experience significant fluctuations.
To discover our full range of EMF monitoring solutions and how they can benefit your applications, please do not hesitate to contact us.
