# ELF gaussmeter (power-frequency magnetic field)

> Measures 50/60 Hz magnetic flux density in milligauss or microtesla — the instrument for wiring faults, service panels, transformers and power lines.

- Canonical URL: https://emfbase.com/meters/elf-gaussmeter
- Collection: Instruments
- Record id: `meters:elf-gaussmeter`
- Status: verified
- Last verified: 2026-08-12
- JSON: https://emfbase.com/api/meters/elf-gaussmeter
- Also known as: gaussmeter, magnetic field meter, milligauss meter

## Key values

- **Band covered:** power frequency plus low harmonics
- **Quantities measured:** magnetic flux density
- **Axes:** triple
- **Typical price:** $50–$400

## Detects

- Fields from house wiring, panels, transformers and overhead lines
- Net-current wiring faults, which show as whole-house elevation that does not fall off with distance
- Appliance fields at close range

## Cannot detect

- Radiofrequency sources of any kind
- Intermediate-frequency fields from induction hobs and inverters if the meter stops at 2 kHz
- Static (DC) magnetic fields unless the meter explicitly supports DC

## What to insist on

- Three-axis sensing, so the reading does not depend on how you hold it
- Milligauss resolution to 0.1 mG or better, since precautionary bands start at 0.2 mG
- Stated frequency response — a 50/60 Hz-only meter misses harmonics
- Data logging if you need a 24-hour average or a 95th percentile

## Example models in this class

- TriField TF2
- Gigahertz Solutions ME3830B
- AlphaLab UHS2
- Extech 480826

## About the model list

Named models illustrate the class and are not endorsements or verified specifications. Confirm the current frequency range and calibration statement with the manufacturer before purchase.

## Related records

- [ELF magnetic field survey](https://emfbase.com/protocols/elf-magnetic-survey): A source-finding walkthrough plus a 24-hour log, because power-frequency magnetic fields track electrical load and a spot reading answers almost nothing.
- [Magnetic flux density](https://emfbase.com/quantities/magnetic-flux-density): The quantity an ELF gaussmeter reports, expressed in milligauss or microtesla, used to assess wiring, transformers and power lines. 1 µT = 10 mG.

## Sources

- `sbm-2024` Institut für Baubiologie + Nachhaltigkeit (IBN) (2024). *Building Biology Evaluation Guidelines for Sleeping Areas (SBM-2024)*. https://buildingbiology.com/site/downloads/SBM-2024_EVALUATION_GUIDELINES_EN.pdf — ngo, link checked 2026-08-12
- `niehs-emf` National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. *Electric and Magnetic Fields*. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/emf — government, link checked 2026-08-12

Data licence: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Dataset version 2026.08.1. Retrieved from EMFBase, https://emfbase.com.

This record is reference data, not medical or legal advice. Regulatory limits, scientific guidelines and precautionary values are labelled separately and answer different questions.