Averaging time
Regulatory limits apply to an average: 30 minutes for the general public under FCC and ICNIRP rules, 6 minutes for occupational exposure.
regulation
Last verified 12 August 2026.
- Category
- regulation
Definition
Exposure limits above 100 kHz are time-averaged because the effect they prevent is thermal and depends on accumulated energy. A brief peak far above the limit can be fully compliant if the 30-minute average is below it. Comparing a peak-hold consumer meter reading to a time-averaged limit is therefore not a valid compliance assessment, in either direction.
Sources
- fcc-1310 47 CFR § 1.1310 — Radiofrequency radiation exposure limits — U.S. Government Publishing Office (eCFR). regulation, link checked 2026-08-12.
- icnirp-2020 Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (100 kHz to 300 GHz) — International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, 2020. guideline, link checked 2026-08-12.
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