How people are affected by electrical and electromagnetic fields depends to a large degree on their predisposition. Particularly sensitive people, especially children, should be protected with certain measures.

In house installation we distinguish two:

Electrical fields form wherever there is voltage. Even when they are not in use, household appliances are subject to voltage.

Magnetic fields occur when current flows in a conductor and only while appliances are turned on; their influence declines rapidly with distance.

House connection

• If possible, connect your house to the grid via underground cable. In the ground electromagnetic fields decline more quickly.

Main distribution panel

• A metal distribution panel better shields against unwanted fields.
• In general, in rest areas a minimum distance of three meters should be provided from electric lines; i.e., no grid connection, distribution panel, electric meters, main lines or rising mains in such areas.

Cable routing

• In general, each current conducting electric line produces electric and electromagnetic fields. 
• In planning your house, equip the rooms with sufficient wall outlets, lamp connections and switches.
• Over-equipping can cause electric and electromagnetic fields. 
• In bedrooms and children’s rooms, be conservative with electrical installation.
• Radio alarm clocks, low-voltage lights, radios, etc. should be kept at least 2 meters from rest areas, and TVs 5 meters. 
• High-power appliances (electric ranges, washing machines, water heaters) should not be installed in the vicinity of bedrooms and children’s rooms or living spaces. 
• Avoid circular cable routing; use star form instead. 
• Avoid electric supply lines in bedroom walls where beds will be positioned. 
• Ecological builders recommend shielding electrical installations against electrical fields, including junction boxes, lamp connections and wall outlets. 
• Reduce magnetic field with drilled cables or by installing a mains isolation.
• Shield metal junction boxes as well as extension cords and power strips (with woven metal).
• Connect all electric conductors in the house (metal water, heating and gas pipes, steel supports and larger metal elements to the grounding system of the house (potential equalization)

Field isolation (mains isolation)

• In bedrooms and children’s rooms, field isolation should be installed. 
• Isolation reduces the voltage on the cables to only a few volts when all electric loads are turned off. 
• This prevents disturbing electric fields. 
• When a load is turned on, then full supply voltage is restored. 
• Installation of field isolation must be well planned because only rooms without regular power consumption (without refrigerators, radio alarm clocks, etc.) can be so isolated.