Electromagnetic modeling: Activity reports
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2011-2012
C. Geuzaine, Prof., Dr., Ir., PI, V. Beauvois, Ir., P. Dular, Dr., Ir., R. Gaignaire, Dr. Ir., R. Sabariego, Dr., Ir.
Following the conclusions of the measurement and simulation campaign on contact currents published in the 2010-2011 BBEMG Annual Report, the ACE team proposed an amended research programme for the remainder of the 2009-2013 period, focusing on quantifying the relationshipbetween the values of the external ELF sources and the values of the fields inside the human body. This is a challenging problem, because the computation of the fields inside the body is largely affected by the uncertainty on the electric characteristics of human tissue.
The main task undertaken in 2011-2012 was the development of a non intrusive probabilistic solver, which, when coupled with the finite element codes developed by ACE, allows to compute probability distributions of the internal fields when realistic models of the human body are subjected to virtual ELF exposures. Initial resultsshow the important effect of the uncertainty on the electrical conductivity on the probability to exceed a given threshold on the internal fields, as e.g. prescribed by ICNIRP.
2010-2011
JL. Lilien, C. Geuzaine, V. Beauvois, P. Dular, R. Vázquez Sabariego, P.P. Barbier
A large campaign of measurement on 150 Belgian houses has been performed during the project.
If internal electric field is indeed the parameter to consider for biological concerns into human body, contact current is the main potential source of high internal electric fields. The effect from fields generated by power lines in that regard is much smaller.
The contact current originates from capacitive current leakage for typical domestic cables. It is thus recommended to use domestic cable with metallic drain to avoid these leaks. Coupled with appropriate earthing, that would certainly eliminate that potential source of concern for human beings.
2009-2010
JL. Lilien, C. Geuzaine, V. Beauvois, P. Dular, R. Vázquez Sabariego, P.P. Barbier
We have developed and implemented computational tools to study and understand the influence (on contact currents) of leakage currents (from electrical cables) near water pipes. We have noticed that the leakage capacitive currents of electrical cables influence and could justify the contact current level in houses.
Concerning the contact current measuring campaign, we have increased the number of measurements. The number of hypersensitive people's houses has increased up to 15% of total sample and the contact current level is around 8 µA.
We also evaluated the impedance of the human body to contact current. Thanks to this study we can better justify the use of the 1kΩ resistor used in the campaign .
We also collaborate with other BBEMG teams to simulate cells submitted to an E field in a Petri box.
Regarding the comparison of two pilot houses (a passive house and a so-called hypersensitive house), the first step has been completed and shown that the contact current level in passive house using VXVB cable (with ferrite) is extremely low. In parallel with the measurement campaign we have started the development of a computer program to accurately compute the capacitive coupling between the various conductors in these houses.
A computer program was also developed to help visitors to the BBEMG website to easily compute the levels of magnetic field near a HV line. Detailed simulation of the eddy currents in the human body induced by the alternating magnetic field near a HV was also continued, and new results have been obtained for anatomically realistic configurations.
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